You can certainly pick one of the ordinary places to have your meeting. A city we’ve all visited, another overly-familiar hotel; that’s one way to do things. Or you can get off the beaten path and make a choice to get a little out there: Tucson.

Tucson has incredible resorts with meeting space galore, but here they’re tucked into the foothills of the mountains that surround the city, creating backdrops for your events that you won’t believe. Plus, there are unique places to have off-site events, from team-building at a luxury spa, to experiencing a little bit of the Old West at a guest ranch.

Why did USA Today include Tucson in a list of cities emerging as a top pick for biz meetings in August, 2015? It’s about the power of connection: the essence of what makes Tucson special. Not just the surprising affordability of holding a meeting in Tucson, but the connection between a planner and the Visit Tucson staff, going the extra mile to make your event spectacular. The connection evident in the fact that eight of ten meeting planners choose Tucson after a site visit. The connection between your attendees and the living, breathing desert.

Tucson will surprise you. Maybe it will be the incredible landscapes, with majestic saguaros and varied plant life that will redefine what you think a desert is like. Maybe it’ll be Tucson’s vibrant downtown, full of incredible food by innovative chefs, plus spectacular music and culture. Who knows, it might just be a taco that changes your life or one of our legendary Sonoran hot dogs (admittedly, not for the vegetarians among you).

When it’s time to go beyond the ballroom to find a place that provides the opportunity to relax and re-energize, with at-your-fingertips luxury at CFO-pleasing value and a spectacular variety of properties to choose from, Tucson shouldn’t just be among USA Today’s top picks, but among yours as well.

If you want to design a name tag that truly stands out in a crowd, one that embodies a premium look and feel, pc/nametag’s Event Badge is just the ticket.

Besides meetings and conferences, this laminated plastic badge makes a great VIP and backstage pass for concerts, a meet and greet for sporting events, a staff badge for training activities, or all-access pass for food festivals – the list goes on and on. Through our state-of-the-art print capabilities, we recreate in vivid detail your logos, artwork and photos both on the front and back of the badge. Plus, when you give us your attendee list, we can personalize each name tag, include barcodes or QR codes, even print event maps and agendas on the back side.

And, for the finishing touch? We offer seven finishes to heighten your attendee’s visual and tactile experience: original gloss, and new clear, satin, soft touch, metallic, foil accent and holographic overlay. With a choice of eight sizes, five attachments and the option of slotting the badge and pairing it with a lanyard, the choices are endless and can even confuse the most detail-oriented planner in the business!

That’s why we believe to get the most out of an Event Badge, it’s easiest to consult with our meeting specialists who can explain your options, prepare a quote, and communicate your needs to our art staff and services area. Our specialists make great suggestions, brainstorm ideas, and will refine your plan so that all your registration materials are a cohesive package. We also highly recommend you request free samples of Event Badges, particularly to see and feel for yourself the exquisite full-color printing and finishes.

After you’ve decided on the design of your Event Badge, we’ll generate a quote, and all you need to do is upload your artwork to our website or send via email to a specialist. If you need a template, we can email you everything you need. Then, our professional graphic designers will receive and modify your artwork to fit within the parameters of the products you have purchased. When complete, they’ll ask for your final approval. Once you approve, your order moves on to our services area for production.

In just three days, our service technicians produce your Event Badge in the quantity you requested, plus coordinate and assemble any add-ons such as lanyards and ribbons. After that, pc/nametag ships your Event Badge order to you or directly to your event.

And when its show time, your attendees will be wearing an original Event Badge designed by you, but facilitated and produced by pc/nametag down to your last detail. Not only will it set the tone for the event, but also become a memento of your attendees’ experience.

Meet Minneapolis

President and CEO Melvin Tennant took part in the time-honored tradition of taking his selfie at the newly reopened Minneapolis Sculpture Garden after its two-year, $33 million renovation in June 2017. Spoonbridge & Cherry, the iconic sculpture, is the No. 1 spot to get your photo taken in Minneapolis, City by Nature. Added this year, the bright blue rooster, Hahn/Cock, is another selfie-taking hit. This crown jewel of the city’s park system unites two of Minnesota’s most cherished resources—its parks and its cultural life. Since opening in 1988, the 19-acre garden has welcomed millions of visitors, showcasing more than 40 works. A partnership between the Walker and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, the garden is must-see destination for visitors of all ages.

Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau

President and CEO William Pate welcomes the city’s newest Downtown venue, Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Along with the iconic falcon statue, the world’s largest bird sculpture, the stadium will host a slew of major events over the next several years, including the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2018, Super Bowl LIII in 2019 and NCAA Men’s Final Four basketball championship in 2020. Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host private events, giving attendees one-of-a-kind views of the city and access to a 360-degree HD video halo board adorning the unique oculus roof.

Visit Baltimore

President and CEO Al Hutchinson and Vice President of Marketing and Community Affairs Dionne Joyner-Weems visit Graffiti Alley, a wall-to-wall covered alley that positive local graffiti artists use as a canvas. Baltimore’s Station North Arts and Entertainment District is an oasis of color and the perfect spot to take a vibrant #MyBmore selfie when visiting Charm City. The art adorning the alley is ever-changing as the walls are constantly being sprayed over with fresh coats of paint.

Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau

Executive Director Carrie Westergard is viewing the solar eclipse on the rooftop of one of the area’s newest boutique hotels that opened in 2017, Inn at 500 Capitol. This hotel, along with two other new hotel openings, has added 40 percent more guest room space to the downtown inventory this year. Along with the newly expanded Boise Centre convention center, which nearly doubles event capacity to more than 80,000 sq. ft., this opens the possibility to much more of the potential meeting market. In the distance, you can see Albertson’s Stadium, home of the Boise State Broncos football team and the famous blue turf located on the Boise State University campus.

Destination DC

President and CEO Elliott Ferguson was photographed on a hard hat tour of The Wharf. Located just south of the National Mall, The Wharf will completely transform D.C.’s prized Southwest Waterfront. Opening Oct. 12, the 1-mile-long, $2 billion development will add three hotels, more than 15 restaurants, four public piers, a water taxi and a new concert venue that accommodates 6,000 people. Meeting planners will have an entire new area of the nation’s capital to explore, from rooftop event spaces to fire-lit rooms. Exquisite views of the Potomac River and landmarks including the Washington Monument await!

Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau

President and CEO Bob Jameson poses in front of the wall of the popular Near Southside coffee shop, Brewed. The “Love the Fort, Worth The Love” mural has quickly become a favorite selfie stop among locals and visitors. Hundreds have stopped to snap a picture with the rugged cowboy, symbolic of Fort Worth’s Western heritage and growing creative class. Snap a selfie and tag #LovetheFort next time you’re in Fort Worth!

Visit Indy

President and CEO Leonard Hoops reminds visitors that The Indy 500 is the world’s largest annual single-day sporting event, drawing as many as 350,000 fans to Indy Motor Speedway on race day! The winner must make 800 left turns and take the checkered flag before anyone else. And in Indy, USA Today’s No. 1 convention city, we like to say that there’s a surprise around every one of those turns.

Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

LVCVA celebrates what makes Las Vegas truly special, the dedicated hospitality-industry employees who welcome the destination’s nearly 43 million annual visitors! This August we had the honor of celebrating our eldest employee, WWII veteran Bill Darwin. Bill turned 100 years-old on August 19. Since starting with the LVCVA’s registration services in 2008, Bill has worked at more than 100 Las Vegas-based shows, often at the request of clients. Bill (center) is pictured with LVCVA Vice President of Customer Experience Hugh Sinnock and LVCVA Chief Human Resources Officer Barbara Bolender, along with several of Las Vegas’ iconic brand ambassadors. Happy birthday, Bill!

San Francisco Travel

President and CEO Joe D’Alessandro says even though San Francisco has many famous sections—North Beach, Chinatown, the Mission District—the city’s unique ethnic neighborhoods also include side streets and alleys that offer very different perspectives. Here you’ll find interesting shops where English is a second language, but visitors are always welcome. In this case, he stopped in Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, which has been supplying fortune cookies to the world for nearly 70 years. Did you know that the fortune cookie was invented in San Francisco and first served in the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park? Walking tour companies can share discoveries like this with groups large and small. Depending on the tour, the itinerary may include history, culture, food or all of the above. It’s all part of the intricate tapestry that is San Francisco.

San Diego Tourism Authority

From Hard Rock Hotel’s VIP balcony, San Diego Tourism Authority’s fearless league of female leaders snaps a pic overlooking San Diego Convention Center. COO Kerri Kapich, Vice President of Information Technology Isabel Sauerbrey, Senior Vice President of Sales Margie Sitton, Director of Communications Candice Eley, Vice President of Human Resources Althea Salas and National Sales Director Anne Hartley welcome you to the site of Comic-Con International. Held downtown, just steps from the bustling Gaslamp Quarter of restaurants, shops and nightlife venues, this is one of San Diego’s most iconic (and most photographed) events. Wonder Woman had a major presence at this year’s Comic-Con. In appreciation of the character that inspires women and girls around the world, our selfie pays tribute to the importance of female leadership.

Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber President and CEO Brad Dean and Doc Antle, founder and director of T.I.G.E.R.S. (The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species), invite you to visit the wild side of Myrtle Beach. The world-renowned wildlife preserve is located on 50 acres of tropical paradise and home to more than 130 endangered animals, including 60 big cats, wolves, apes, an African elephant and the liger, the world’s largest cat, at 900 pounds. Attendees participate in a customized three-hour Wild Encounters Tour, and meet and interact with the world’s most amazing and iconic creatures. This unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience is only available in Myrtle Beach.

Back to 2017 CVB Selfie Contest

Hamburg Convention Bureau

Saskia Muller, Florian Gerdes and Karin Diemer remind planners that Hamburg, Germany’s second largest city, is a fantastic MICE destination on the waterfront. Water is the element that has molded and shaped Hamburg for centuries. The city’s location on the shores of Elbe, which connects the economic hubs in the south with the open seas, has allowed the metropolis to become one of the world’s most important centers for trade and shipping. The shores of Elbe and the unique locations right on the water provide a spectacular view of the harbor, passing cruise liners and of course our new landmark, the Elbphilharmonie, which we chose for our selfie. Our “Elphi” opened in the beginning of 2017 and provides an eye-popping and truly unique meeting venue for planners and delegates.

London and Partners

Chris FJ Lynn, vice president for North America and Emerging markets from London and Partners’ New York office loves flying to London to meet locals, event planners or David Beckham! There are always quirky activities in London that can delight your delegates, whether well-known or well-hidden. And our convention bureau staff loves to find them for you. #lovetheevent

Visit Monaco

Director Cindy Hoddeson asks this question: “Did you know Monaco has its own organic craft beer?” The Brasserie de Monaco, originally created in 1905 and currently located on Monaco’s harbor, is a 264-gallon boutique brewery with an entirely automated brewing system that takes the brewmaster’s hand-selected organic malts to produce an authentic local beer. It is the perfect place to mingle with locals while watching superyachts. Visits begin with a video depicting the trade secrets and history of the brewery and end with a tasting, a fun way to discover Monaco’s cultural heritage. Sante!

Nurnberg Convention Bureau

Convention Manager Kristina Kastelan says on sunny days, there is a wonderful reflection of the opposite row of houses in the glass front of the museum. “In summer, the fountain invites everyone to refresh themselves, which is especially loved by children. I often spend my breaks or evenings there admiring the view and enjoying the laughter of playing children.” Little hint: You can even book the museum for your events (outside operating hours).

Munich Tourism

Sigrid Smuda-Froeschl, Isolde Fuchs, Stephanie Hopf, Janine David-Steinhart and Claudia Bendel shout out a hearty servus and welcome to Munich, the Bavarian capital that is so diverse it’s difficult to know if you are in an ultra-modern meeting metropolis or a huge village. We love its world-famous Gemuetlichkeit and can’t get enough of its stunning sites, best to experience from one of the gorgeous rooftop terraces many hotels and event locations feature. Luckily, we moved to a new office building that provided a little terrace. From here, we keep watch and spot the latest MICE news for you; we are always happy to offer unbiased consulting matched with German expertise.

Stuttgart Convention Bureau

Director of Convention Marketing Karina Grutzner says her favorite spot in Stuttgart is Schlossplatz. Here, you feel the heartbeat of the city. It’s perfect to relax after meetings with a local drink and a view toward diverse architecture. She recommends buying delicacies at the art nouveau Market Hall and having a picnic on the lawn. Enjoy the panorama of the old castle, new palace and the futuristic art museum from which she shot the selfie. Urban shopping and dining, as well as meeting venues, are at the square and close by. Not shown in the picture, but part of the panoramic view, is the world’s first television tower—a symbol of Stuttgart’s strong expertise in engineering.

Akron/Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau

Director of Sales Mary E. Tricaso at Derby Downs, home of the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships, an iconic feature of America’s landscape. Since 1935 (the first race was held in Dayton, Ohio), all hills have led to Akron, as the world’s best gravity racers speed to victory. For these dedicated and talented youth, a chance to take their place atop Derby Downs is a dream come true. “But what about me?” you’re thinking to yourself. Well, select tourists, convention delegates and other VIPs also have the privilege to race (in much larger cars, of course) at Derby Downs as part of their Greater Akron experience.

City of Chandler Office of Tourism

Meet Tourism Guru Kimberly Janes, who can guide you to find the perfect location for your next program in Chandler, Arizona! Known as the Innovation and Technology Hub of the Southwest, Chandler is also home to emerging self-driving car technology. Let us be your connection to a vibrant, engaging area for events. Chandler is a 20-minute ride from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX), and offers superb hotels and meeting space to accommodate groups of 10 to 800. And no visit to Chandler would be complete without a stop in our lively Downtown, which features trellis-covered walkways, award-wining restaurants and entertainment. Kimberly can “steer” you to the best of Chandler to find your perfect spot—just like she spotted this Waymo vehicle in Downtown!

Experience Columbus

Vice President of Sales Dan Williams is hanging out on the Scioto Mile, a spectacular, 175-acre sprawling ribbon of parkland along the Scioto River, with a great view of downtown Columbus in the background. From kayakers or paddleboarders on the river to people enjoying picnics on the banks, to serving as the host to many premier festivals and events, such as the Columbus Arts Festival or Red, White and BOOM, more than 1.5 million people visit this beloved greenspace annually. Recently, a multiyear renovation reclaimed 33 acres of greenspace and better connected downtown to the Scioto Peninsula, home to top-rated science center, COSI, and the National Veterans Memorial & Museum, opening in 2018.

Catch Des Moines

Vice President of Conventions, Sports and Services Vicki Comegys poses with Nomade, the focal piece of the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. The artwork in this park is valued at more than $42 million and is on loan from John and Mary Pappajohn of Des Moines. “I believe the creator, Jaume Plensa, was thinking about Smart Meetings when this sculpture was created,” she says. Many people can visit to find their initials and document their time in Des Moines. The park is also home to many festivals, including the award-winning Des Moines Arts Festival, recognized with the International Association of Festival and Events 2016 Pinnacle Event Award. The festival hosts more than 200,000 people over three days.

Visit Detroit

Director of Sales Keith Kirsten says Detroit’s Cobo Center knows how to get your word out, with multiple digital signage opportunities throughout this state-of-the-art convention center on the Detroit River. It features two exterior digital displays. The 40-foot-by-25-foot dual board, seen here, offers 3,000 sq. ft. of advertising space 24 hours a day in the heart of downtown Detroit’s financial district. The marquee digital sign overlooks Cobo Square, Jefferson Avenue, Hart Plaza, the Detroit Crowne Plaza and Detroit Riverwalk. Book your event here and receive one complimentary, full-size graphic. Along with more than 100 interior digital signs and an in-house content design staff, Cobo Center offers a variety of versatile, eye-catching ways to promote your event.

Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau

New Sales Manager Leslie Brearley sits at the state-of-the-art Posse Grounds Pavilion. The contemporary space, also known as Barbara’s Park, is one of the featured destinations in the Chamber’s cutting-edge summer campaign #SedonaSecret7. Leslie, a Sedona native, joined the Chamber Team in July 2017. She previously worked for Marriott International in several capacities, most recently as a sales manager in their National Group Sales office. Learn how to blur the line between meetings and vacation at MySedonaMeeting.com.

Hamilton County Tourism

CEO and President Brenda Myers posed in the Arts and Design District in Carmel next to a kissing couple statue, mimicking one of the most famous photos in history. Seventeen of these lifelike statues designed by Norman Rockwell are placed along the Arts and Design District, a state-designated cultural area with art galleries, shopping boutiques and restaurants. The statues also replicate a policeman, a painter and an older man reading a newspaper on a park bench. They are popular among tourists exploring and taking pictures, and often spook visitors because they look so real!

Visit Glendale

Administrator Lorraine Zomok knows Glendale is home to one of the nation’s finest multisport entertainment districts, historic shopping neighborhoods, family festivals and signature events. The region boasts top meeting facilities, baseball spring training every March and action-packed sports and concerts. It has hosted Super Bowls and the NCAA Final Four basketball championship, but she says the secret to happiness is a daily bite of chocolate from a hometown candy factory! Located in Historic Downtown Glendale, Cerreta Candy Company has been making candy the old-fashioned way for nearly 50 years. The largest candy factory in Arizona, this fourth-generation family produces delicious chocolates and scrumptious treats. Visitors can tour the factory and see how your favorite indulgences are made. Life is truly sweeter in Glendale, Arizona!

Experience Grand Rapids

President and CEO Doug Small posed in Calder Plaza, which has hosted a wide range of community festivals and events since 1969, when it served as ground zero for a major urban renewal project. The centerpiece of the Plaza—and the symbol of the city’s creative spirit—is a 42-ton, 43-foot-tall sculpture by American artist Alexander Calder. Just steps from the DeVos Place Convention Center, Calder Plaza is a popular rest stop for meeting attendees to soak up fresh air and artistic dazzle. As the Plaza nears its 50th anniversary, the wide-open concrete square is being transformed into a vibrant hub of daily activity, complete with eateries, a shade pavilion, a splash pad water feature and other amenities that will give meeting attendees even more downtime options.

Springfield Missouri Convention & Visitors Bureau

Sales Director Dana Maugans invites you to learn more about the city’s attractions, hotels and state-of-the-art meeting facilities at Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven. Midwestern charm and metropolitan charisma welcomes travelers to Springfield, Missouri, where a taste of classic Americana awaits. Guests return to yesteryear at the hotel, featuring the Elvis and Marilyn Monroe suites along with all the amenities you expect from modern facilities. Located on The Mother Road, the hotel has been in operation since 1938, the same year Route 66 was completed.

Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau

Office Manager Heather McCourt knows Utah is often associated with the greatest snow on earth and winter sports. She visited with her boys during the summer of 2013 and fell in love with all the summer activities that are available, as well as the great weather! One of her favorite places ever is Sundance, just a short drive up Provo Canyon from downtown. The zipline is one of the longest in the country, and they even have full moon zipline rides from May to October! There are outdoor summer concerts, theatrical performances and hikes to waterfalls, with some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Her family fell so hard that when they went back to Texas, they packed up their stuff and moved two weeks later!

Back to 2017 CVB Selfie Contest

Arlington Convention and Visitors Service

Director Emily Cassell is at Marine Corps War Memorial, one of many American treasures that visitors to Arlington can experience up close! An easy walk from the Rosslyn Metro station (one of our 11 Metro stops), this iconic statue is adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery and minutes by car, rail or bike-share to the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial and Air Force Memorial. With monumental views of Washington, D.C., Arlington is home to 44 hotels in vibrant, walkable neighborhoods including Rosslyn, Crystal City, Ballston and Pentagon City. And for planners seeking the ideal combination of convenience and value, it’s an awesome choice: Arlington’s rates average 20 percent less than those at downtown D.C. hotels. We’d love to help you experience our national history and local flavor for a truly memorable meeting.

Visit Fairfax

President and CEO Barry Biggar says visitors may be surprised to learn the fascinating history behind Workhouse Arts Center. Years ago, this site (now a part of the National Register of Historic Places) was known as Lorton Reformatory, a prison for nonviolent offenders, including many suffragettes picketing the White House for the right to vote in 1917. Today, visitors to this incredible cultural arts center can enjoy theatrical, dance or musical performances held year-round, book private events and meetings, interact with the 65-plus studio artists or 100-plus gallery exhibitions, and attend large festivals throughout the year. Pictured here is Workhouse Brewfest, which brought together dozens of local Virginia breweries, wineries and distilleries for a day of art, music and beverages.

Garrett County Chamber

Heritage Area and Groups Director Jen Durben visited the Simon Pearce Glassblowing Factory and Retail Store in The Deep Creek area to experience the creation of beautiful handmade glass. “We are so proud of this location right in our back yard. Visitors and residents can visit the factory and walk on a suspended catwalk to watch the beautiful craftsmanship of blowing and creating these stunning glass pieces, including everything from diningware to decorative pieces. Originated in Kilkenny, Ireland, our area is one of only a few locations in the United States.

Hampton Convention and Visitors Bureau

Senior Group Sales Manager Michelle Hergenrother poses at Fort Monroe, which was named a national monument by President Barrack Obama in 2011. This special place allows visitors to learn about the site’s major role in the Civil War, as well as its 1609 beginnings with the arrival of Captain John Smith and the first arrival of Africans in English North America in 1619. Built between 1819 and 1834, the fort is surrounded by the Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads Harbor, making it the largest moat-encircled stone fort built in the United States. The site provided a safe haven for hundreds of runaway slaves during the Civil War and served as the imprisonment site of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Highlights include the Casemate Museum, Chapel of the Centurion, Paradise Ocean Club and Old Point Comfort Lighthouse.

NYC & Company

Senior Vice President for Convention Development Jerry Cito says the “new” New York City—and Midtown Manhattan in particular—is experiencing a period of momentous growth, with groundbreaking developments. The new includes attractions such as Gulliver’s Gate (opened May 9), National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey (debuting October 2017) and NFL Experience Times Square (November 2017) opening in Times Square this year. New York City has the most active hotel development pipeline in the country, with 113,000 hotel rooms as of May 2017 and an expected inventory of 137,000 hotel rooms by 2019. Noteworthy Midtown hotel openings include The Whitby Hotel (debuted February 2017), DoubleTree by Hilton New York-Times Square West (February 2017), MOXY NYC Times Square (September 2017) and New York EDITION Times Square (early 2018).

Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board

The team at Valley Forge is celebrating the centennial birthday of Memorial Arch at Valley Forge! The Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board team took a trip to the arch to gain inspiration by walking the same grounds as George Washington and the Continental Army. “It’s such an honor to have this jewel within Montgomery County, PA!”

Visit Rochester

President and CEO Don Jeffries stands with some of the amazing women on Visit Rochester’s staff outside the National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House in Rochester, New York. This year, we are celebrating the centennial of women’s suffrage in New York State. Visitors from all over the world who see this unassuming house will discover the incredible story that lies within. It is the story of the headquarters of the women’s suffrage movement and the many women who dedicated their lives to the pursuit of freedom and equality for everyone. Miss Anthony’s legacy lives on in Rochester today and inspires us all.

Explore Asheville

Vice President of Sales Dianna Pierce shows that Asheville’s creative community provides numerous opportunities for groups to immerse themselves in the art and cultural experiences of the city. Here you’ll discover hundreds of working artist studios, some of which open their doors for groups. Lexington Glassworks is one studio that welcomes groups for classes, demos or private social events. The 5,000-square-foot working studio features colorful handmade glass items, from light fixtures to tableware made from locally sourced material. Inside the studio is a taproom that serves local beer in hand-blown glass. Classes offer the chance to make stem-less wine glasses or a pint glass to hold local craft brews. The studio is located on a tucked-away street in downtown Asheville.

Daytona Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau

Sports Sales Manager Tara Hamburger and Convention Services Coordinator Amber Tischler pose in front of #JackiesDugout, a mural painted by artist Erika Group, to remind visitors that although Daytona Beach is well-known as the World’s Most Famous Beach and for its racing heritage, it is also forever tied to a piece of baseball history. In 1946, Jackie Robinson played in the first integrated Major League Baseball spring training game in Daytona Beach. Named in his honor, historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark stands proudly on City Island in downtown Daytona Beach. Today, it is home to the Daytona Tortugas, a Cincinnati Reds’ Class-A affiliate baseball team. Over $1 million in recent renovations include a new 3,000-square-foot picnic pavilion with prominently displayed historic markers.

Fort Myers & Sanibel

Roll with the natural inspiration of The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel thanks to our world-famous Volkswagen convertible. Meet the Shell Love Bug, covered in more than 20,000 seashells! Our four-wheel ambassador for fun and sun can be found at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). When not welcoming visitors from around the world, the Shell Love Bug cruises to local beaches, wildlife preserves and outdoor events. We’re a subtropical paradise where visitors find inspiration for both business and pleasure. Perfect for executive retreats and small- to medium-sized groups, our team can help from planning to event. With a variety of accommodations and meeting venues minutes from the airport, the value for attendees is clear. Let the Shell Love bug welcome your next meeting!

Visit Greensboro

President and CEO Henri Fourrier says standing 33-feet high on the platform looking over Greensboro Aquatic Center (GAC) is energizing! GAC is a state-of-the-art facility featuring leading edge concepts in aquatic design. It brings together all major aquatic sports: competitive swimming and diving, water polo, synchronized swimming and other unique sports, all in one venue. Currently, the center features three bodies of water–competition pool, a warm-up pool and a diving well. By the end of 2017, the GAC will have hosted 54 aquatic events. Groundbreaking in early 2018 will begin on a new practice pool for a total of four bodies of water. The center also gives back to the community and serves local citizens through its diverse programming, including therapeutic rehabilitation and swimming classes.

Visit Greenville

Vice President of Sales David Montgomery welcomes you to Falls Park on the Reedy, a ridiculously picturesque 32-acre park nestled right in the heart of downtown Greenville, South Carolina. It’s complete with a 40-foot waterfall and the one-of-a-kind floating Liberty Bridge. (No really—it’s the only one of its kind in the Western Hemisphere!) The darling of downtown, the pedestrian-only bridge connects Greenville’s textile-industry past with today’s thriving Main Street district. One of Greenville’s greatest treasures, Falls Park is also the starting point for the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 21-mile, paved rail-to-trail path that takes you from downtown Greenville to nearby Travelers Rest, with plenty of restaurants, shops and even a microbrewery along the way! Greenville, South Carolina—yeah, THAT Greenville.

Visit Houston

President Mike Waterman standing over the new Marriott Marquis’ Texas-shaped lazy river! This is the newest addition to Avenida Houston’s convention campus and the second convention hotel connected to George R. Brown Convention Center.

Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau

President and CEO Gretchen Hall shows off Arkansas’ premier performing arts facility. Robinson Center has recently gone through a tremendous rebirth—to the tune of $70 million dollars. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this iconic 1939 landmark is home to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Arkansas and Celebrity Attractions Broadway Theater Series. Elvis Presley’s first recorded performance of “Hound Dog” (1956) was on Robinson’s stage. After preserving its historic lobby, transforming its performance hall, and adding a new conference center and outdoor terrace on the scenic Arkansas River, today it stands as one of Little Rock’s brightest stars. Robinson Center serves as the westernmost anchor to Little Rock’s revitalized downtown district. It is the perfect place to catch a show or performance, or host a convention or meeting.

New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau

President and CEO Stephen Perry stands in front of the New Orleans skyline, which includes Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Central Business District and the South Market District.

Visit Pensacola

Director of Destination Sales and Services Jennifer Jackson-Keating reminds visitors that Pensacola is the Cradle of Aviation and home to the World’s Largest Naval Aviation Museum and the World Famous Blue Angels demonstration squad. Experience hands-on history with more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft. These historic and rare aircraft are displayed both inside the museum’s nearly 350,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and outside on its 37-acre grounds. Experience the thrill of flight in simulators, view live practices by the Blue Angels, and follow-up with meet and greet sessions and autograph signings. Then venture across the street to the Pensacola Lighthouse, One of America’s Most Haunted Lighthouses, built in 1859. Climb to the top for a spectacular 360-degree view of historic civil war forts, Pensacola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Visit The Woodlands

Visit The Woodlands staff is excited to show off its destination via #selfie! Waterway Square sits in the heart of The Woodlands and is home to many firework extravaganzas, weekend celebrations, local concerts, splash pads, dining experiences and, of course, great views of The Woodlands Waterway. Fun fact: The fountain seen in the photo is enhanced with colored lights and actually synchronizes with music during local events!

Colorado is a state blessed with oh-wow natural beauty, and perhaps that is inspiration for its equally out-of-control art scene. Each summer and fall, art festivals in the cities of Boulder, Colorado Springs and Denver bring the state’s artists and their work to the fore.

Boulder

Boulder Creek Festival:  Boulder residents consider this event to be the actual—if not official—beginning of summer. It takes place the last weekend in May, and has a genuine carnival atmosphere. It has an artistic feel, as well, with a fine-art show and an artists’ marketplace.

Boulder Plein Air Festival: At this June event, you can watch artists create beautiful landscapes outside, while sitting right in the middle of them. And you can even try your hand at it yourself.

Pearl Street Arts Fest: This event takes place in mid-July, and Boulder’s coolest street turns into a huge outdoor carnival of the visual arts. The artists create everything from Native-American jewelry and mixed-media to photography and sculptures, to weaving and ceramics, to glass to just about any visual art medium you can imagine.

Colorado Springs

Arts Month: The city celebrates the arts the entire month of October. And it devotes an entire week of the festival to the visual arts.

Canvasses in the Canon: This is an outdoor art show on many dates throughout June, July and August. Entries are at least two-dimensional, and there are also plein air demonstrations.

Front Range Open Studios: Every year on a weekend in early September, Colorado Springs’ artistic community opens up its studios to visitors. Artists are happy to talk with you about their work.

Denver

Cherry Creek Arts Festival: Every Fourth of July weekend, the upscale Cherry Creek district hosts a world-class art festival. Both local and nationally known artists display their works along five city streets, and there are plenty of music and interactive arts activities.

Denver Arts Week: Every November, Denver celebrates Arts Week with an “eight-day week.” More than 300 events unfold at venues around the city, including free nights at museums, and open studios and galleries.

Denver Chalk Art Festival: Every June, historic Larimer Square turns into a giant art studio, with chalk being the medium of choice. Here, you might even get the chance to leave your own (chalk) mark on Denver.

Want to read more about Colorado? Read all about the Centennial State in the September issue of Smart Meetings.

Get Up-To-Date About Destinations and Hotels

Smart Meetings TV host Mike Lyons chatted with representatives from CVBs, hotels and more to find out what each place has to offer meeting professionals currently and in the near future. Watch the videos below to learn how cities you’re familiar with are evolving and discover new places you have yet to visit.

Highlights


IMEX America 2017 Highlights
IMEX America 2017: Day 1 Highlights
IMEX America 2017: Day 2 Highlights

CVBs & Destinations


Atlanta CVB
Business Events Toronto
Cincinnati USA CVB

Connecticut
Costa Rica Convention Bureau
Destination DC

Discover Palm Beaches
Dubai
Explore St. Louis

Netherlands
London & Partners
Los Angeles TCB

Las Vegas CVA
Meet Hawaii
Monaco Government Tourist Office

Autoridad de Turismo Panama
San Diego Tourism
Tourism Australia

Visit Frisco
Visit Huntington Beach
Visit Indy

Hotels & Suppliers


Andaz Mayakoba Resort
Caesars
Disney Destinations

Hilton
Mandalay Bay and Delano Las Vegas
Marriott International

Melia Hotels International
MGM Resorts International
Playa Hotels & Resorts

Salamander Hotels & Resorts Florida
Grand Velas
The Venetian and The Palazzo

Event Tools & Organizations


Cvent
DMC Network
IMEX Group

Phoenix is blessed by the sheer beauty of its rugged mountain and desert landscape, with towering cacti and clear starry nights. What’s more, Phoenix offers attendees plenty to see and do, from spa treatments and championship golf, to outdoor adventures like horseback riding, hiking and hot air ballooning. The city offers easy air access, sun-drenched beauty, unmatched value and several noteworthy new resorts.

When it comes to getting here and getting around, few meeting and event destinations rival Phoenix for ease and convenience. The airport is served by 16 airlines with more than 1,200 daily flights. Sky Harbor is just four miles from downtown and 15 to 30 minutes from most area hotels and resorts.

Phoenix offers an amazing array of more than thirty resorts that pamper and delight attendees, with proximity to downtown’s vibrant, urban core.  Two of the area’s newest resorts are located at Camelback Mountain. They include the legendary Mountain Shadows, now wholly re-imagined after an infusion of $100 million, and the $75 million Andaz Scottsdale, whose casita-style bungalows are tucked away just outside Old Town Scottsdale.

On the south side of Camelback Mountain, the sophisticated five-diamond 250-acre Phoenician is celebrated for its desert landscape, golf and museum-quality collection of fine art and sculpture. The Phoenician is in the midst of an extensive renovation. The Main Building guest rooms, the renowned Canyon Suites, the resort’s signature public areas, including the main lobby, pool complex, spa and select dining venues are being refurbished. Down the road, the Mediterranean style Royal Palms Resort and Spa has recently completed a multimillion dollar renovation of its 119 guest rooms.

Just north of downtown Phoenix, the iconic Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, continues to impress with its luxury service and appointments, eight swimming pools, 22,000-square-foot spa and a recent $35 million facelift. Also north of town is the grand JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, noted for its expansive facilities, including more than three acres of swimming pools and the championship Wildfire Golf Club. Another favorite among golfers is the contemporary-style Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, whose features also include an Adventure Water Park.

The recently redesigned Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort and the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort offer all-suite accommodations plus a bevy of family-friendly recreational activities. South of Phoenix, the four-diamond Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass draws its inspiration from the area’s Pima and Maricopa Indian cultures, including at its five-diamond restaurant Kai whose Native American-inspired cuisine has earned national acclaim.

Every Phoenix area resort is distinguished by its own style and flavor, yet they all share a commitment to delivering a meeting experience rooted in service, attention to detail, first-rate facilities, Zagat-worthy restaurants and amenities such as native spa treatments and championship golf.