Smart Meetings

With more than 320 days of sunshine, the city invites groups to meet, then explore the Sonoran Desert, have an adventure or simply enjoy the views of the Salt River and Superstition Mountains.

Planners looking for a favorable price point in the desert will fi nd a convention center, several meetings hotels and a host of fun venues and activities for off -site events.

“Most planners are surprised by the value they get here,” says Milt Fort, director of marketing for Mesa Convention and Visitors Bureau (visitmesa.com). You get a lot for your money and can use great meeting facilities, he says; plus, Mesa is also easy to get to with two airports on either side of the city and the soon-to-be-completed Metro light rail system that will have direct transportation to and from Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport.

Lynne Valentic, director of conference services for the American Psychosocial Oncology Society is considering Mesa for an upcoming conference due to “its aff ordability and the fact that our group meets in February when it’s the peak time for hot locations.” Mesa is also a great suburb of Phoenix with great properties, Valentic says. “It’s perfect and less expensive.”

Plans are currently underway for a new resort/mixed-use project by Gaylord Entertainment, which will greatly expand the city’s offerings. The project, to be built on 100 acres of the Mesa Proving Grounds, will equip the city with a 1,500-room resort, more than 250,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and a golf course. Th ough Mesa may be
lesser known than its neighbors, it is a hot spot for planners, and it’s only going to get hotter.

MAJOR MEETING VENUES
In the heart of downtown, the Mesa Convention Center (mesaconventioncenter.com) offers 19,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, an additional 19,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space and 15 meeting rooms. The full-service facility also provides A/V capabilities and on-site catering. Event space includes everything from meeting rooms, executive boardrooms and conference centers to theaters and outdoor plazas.

Another option is the Phoenix Marriott Mesa (marriott.com), located right next door to the Convention Center. It features 275 recently renovated guest rooms and 11 luxury suites. The hotel is also packed with event space, including an 18,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 9,000-square-foot ballroom, a 5,200-person amphitheater and a 100-person conference theater, among many other rooms. Plus, its outdoor pool and spa will help guests unwind.

If you want to take advantage of Arizona’s fabled golf, there is no place like Arizona Golf Resort (azgolfresort.com). Combining a championship course with modern business amenities, the property has 12,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space and 187 guest rooms. More great features include on-site meeting coordinators,
ballrooms, outdoor patios, courtyards and customized menus and catering options.

Hilton Phoenix East/Mesa (hilton.com) is another luxurious choice, with 260 recently updated guest rooms and suites and more than 20,000 sq. ft. of versatile meeting space, which includes 17 meeting rooms. Several outdoor venues can also provide a fresh alternative for your event.

UNIQUE VENUES
If you have an artistic eye, plan on the Mesa Arts Center (mesaartscenter.com). Th e innovative building is the most comprehensive arts facility in Arizona and features visual and performing arts as well as arts education. The larger meeting spaces are tiered theaters, able to accommodate up to 1,588 guests. For smaller groups, the
Anita Cox Farnsworth Studio Th eater can hold 98 people.

And if you really want your event to take off, consider the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force Museum (azcaf.org). Th is flying museum provides an unrivaled setting that showcases restored aircraft from WWII, as well
as other memorable artifacts. Good for events or team-building exercises, the museum is equipped with more than 30,000 sq. ft. of flexible space.

Recently, it was used for the Commissioner’s Party during the Super Bowl and hosted approximately 4,000 attendees. Also in the works for Mesa is a $750-million project called Waveyard (waveyard.com). The mega-park has construction plans for a 600-room resort, more than 60,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, an outdoor recreation center, a man-made beach with simulated ocean waves, a lagoon for scuba diving and a river for white-water rafting.

The 125-acre proposal has been approved by the residents of Mesa, and pending multiple permits, is slated for groundbreaking in early 2009.

FUN ACTIVITIES
Aside from the 40 golf courses all within 30 minutes of Mesa, the desert has plenty to offer in the way of fun. Outdoors is the place to be with activities like hot-air ballooning, horseback rides, Jeep tours and hiking trails, plus kayaking and white-water rafting on the Salt River.

For a unique experience, plan a trip with Apache Trail Tours (apachetrailtours.com). They off er Jeep and hiking tours and specialize in group and team-building tours, such as the “Howlin’ at the Moon Steak-Out,” where groups spend a night under the stars in the famous Superstition Mountain foothills. They’re able to accommodate up to 100 people—just make sure your guests are ready for a rugged adventure.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is offered by Fighter Combat International (fightercombat.com). They’ll put your group in the cockpit of actual fighter aircraft, where they’ll experience turning upside down and practice combat maneuvers. Any of their flying options can be customized for group activities, and the company specializes in team-building exercises (their workers are trained in team development and group dynamics).

If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, visit the Arizona Museum of Natural History (arizonamuseumofnaturalhistory.org), which has the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the state. The exhibitions vary from fossils to what’s new on Mars, and group rates are available for 10 or more. Meeting space includes a theater (seats 60–100) or a classroom (seats 30), and both feature built-in projectors.

GROUP DINING
If you are planning for a smaller group, the Broadway Palm Dinner Th eatre (broadwaypalmwest.com) will make you feel like the star of the show. Th eir Marquee Room can seat up to 150 in various arrangements. While the culinary staff caters to your food specifi cations, you can sit and enjoy the scheduled performances. Also, bars, entertainment stages and state-of-the-art A/V equipment are all built into the banquet rooms.

A larger theater room without a scheduled show is another option for groups up to 500. Known for their sunset views, Anzio Landing (anziolanding.com) is a popular local restaurant in Mesa. Th eir banquet rooms provide numerous options and can accommodate more than 100 diners.

For fun, unique dining, visit Islamorada Fish Company (fi shcompany.com), serving up fresh seafood along with its funky wall mounts. Adjacent to the mega sporting goods store, Bass Pro Shops, the restaurant has one small, private room and can host up to 100 guests. Islamorada also offers tailor-made menus for groups.

Just a short drive into downtown Scottsdale (about 11 miles), Don & Charlie’s (donandcharlies.com) is a great old-fashioned steakhouse. Serving prime rib, steaks and fresh fish, the restaurant is known for its eclectic sports décor. The private dining facilities can also handle groups from 20–100 for meetings or receptions. Back to Top

Getting There

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