The Boulders Resort & Spa offers 50,000 sf of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, as well as world-class golf, spa and outdoor activities with a Sonoran Desert setting.

Arizona has long been welcoming association meeting and event attendees looking to experience the peacefulness and splendor of the region. Across its unique landscapes, Arizona offers a plethora of splendid venue options for meeting planners to consider.

Scottsdale

Scottsdale has something for every association meeting-goer. Whether it’s channeling the inner cowboy with horseback riding, decompressing at a luxurious hotel spa or teeing off at one of the greater Scottsdale area’s 200 world-class golf courses, the destination has everything to make a memorable event. It also offers the discovery of something delightfully unexpected – the stirring beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Plus, with more than 300 days of annual sunshine, association planners can put outdoor events and activities on the agenda with confidence.

What’s more, Scottsdale is just a 15-minute commute from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and offers all the services and amenities you’d expect of a premier meeting destination: an array of top-tier lodgings, state-of-the-art meeting facilities and hassle-free transportation in the air and on the ground.

A Seattle based planner selected the Royal Palms Resort & Spa there for one of their events and found it ideal. “Arizona in general was selected due to weather. The event is in mid-fall so the weather is perfect for outdoor dining experiences, mid-morning fresh air breaks or post-meeting relaxation,” she says. “We chose Scottsdale in particular because it offers almost everything within 30 minutes of the airport, it has a wide variety of hotels and resorts for every size and budget, and there are so many off-site group activity options.”

For planners considering Scottsdale as a destination for their next association meeting or event, she recommends partnering with Experience Scottsdale, which can help plan around the national events that may impact availability and rates.

“They know what hotels are new or renovating, have the inside scoop on great activities and venues, and are an all-around destination expert, so don’t overlook this free resource,” she says. “Scottsdale in the summer may be a little warm, but don’t let that stop you from taking advantage of fantastic hotel rates. Lastly, get out and explore the area. Experience Scottsdale can help with off-site activities for both you and your group.”

Nearby, the Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas recently underwent a $24 million resort-wide renovation. Included in the refresh was a private front entrance from the main resort to the property’s signature villas. This unveiling marks the latest enhancement to the property following recent upgrades to the resort guestrooms, Oasis Bar & Grille, outdoor spaces, fitness center and landscaping as part of a multi-phase, multi-year renovation.

The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton, also has undergone a significant transformation with its $40 million upgrade by unveiling the Stillman Villas, a secluded enclave of 12 two-story villas that range from 1,250 to 2,500 sf. The villas can accommodate groups of varying sizes.

The Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort also presents an exceptional setting for meeting planners seeking a premium, full-service venue in a remarkable destination. Having completed a $115 million renovation last year, the property now offers a refreshed blend of contemporary style, upscale amenities, and Arizona’s renowned desert aesthetics.

The resort’s expanded meeting infrastructure includes over 90,000 sf of event space, including two ballrooms, and numerous breakout rooms and outdoor venues – making it uniquely equipped to host both large-scale conferences and intimate corporate gatherings. With world-class resort amenities, onsite dining venues, distinctive indoor/outdoor meeting options, and immersive guest experiences (from spa and golf to resort pools and desert adventures), the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort provides association meeting attendees with memorable experiences that will last long after returning home.

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa is also undergoing renovations to elevate its meeting and event spaces, including the Views Ballroom, Views Terrace, Paradise Views, Lower Lawn and Cholla meeting room. The 3,851 sf Views Ballroom will see a dramatic redesign soon. The Views Lawn and Terrace will have flexible seating options, allowing for customizable layouts tailored to a variety of events. The Cholla meeting room and Paradise Views areas will also benefit from refreshed finishes and design details, enhancing both their functionality and ambiance.

Scottsdale Stadium in Old Town recently added to its impressive roster of meeting and event spaces with the opening of the new Left Field Berm/Deck. Spanning 11,000 sf with capacity for 750 attendees, the Left Field Berm/Deck features a grassy berm, panoramic views, TV screens, built-in speakers with Bluetooth capabilities, wireless microphones, a podium, ceiling fans and adjustable lighting.

Attendees looking for state-of-the-art ways to relax and unwind will enjoy JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa’s $24 million transformation of its iconic spa. Set to debut soon, the fully remodeled spa will offer deeply personalized and nature-connected wellness experiences. Attendees can discover personalized pathways to well-being through sound therapy, hydrotherapies and desert-inspired treatments. Highlights include 20 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy pools, an indoor Wellness Circuit, new sound baths and the debut of Ora Café.

Flagstaff

Thanks in part to its diverse facilities, cooler climate and abundance of nearby attractions for team-building and post-meeting activities, Flagstaff has proven to be a favorite location for association meeting and event planners. What’s more, Flagstaff’s many conference and meeting venues offer ample places to host groups of all sizes.

Nicole Regalado Souffront, events and communications manager at the Network of Schools Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), recently held the association’s 2025 NASPAA Global Conference at the Northern Arizona University’s High Country Conference Center in Flagstaff.

The event brought together educators, scholars and public service professionals from around the world to tackle the most pressing issues in governance, policy and leadership. NASPAA hosted 181 dynamic sessions and 601 in-person attendees representing over 24 countries/territories.

“We selected Northern Arizona University (NAU), Arizona State and the University of Arizona as our co-hosts for the conference, and NAU was the primary host with a great campus and staff to support all of our conference needs,” Regalado Souffront says. “While we initially had some concerns about attendees traveling into Flagstaff – whether flying into Phoenix and driving up or covering the higher cost of flying directly into Flagstaff – we quickly learned those worries were unfounded. Travel logistics didn’t present a real barrier, and our attendance actually exceeded expectations. Many attendees rented cars, extended their trips before or after the conference, and took full advantage of the incredible range of activities in and around the city. From exploring the natural beauty to enjoying local attractions, Flagstaff offered endless possibilities that complemented the conference experience perfectly.”

When not attending events in Tucson, attendees can see historic architecture or enjoy the diverse food scene, cultural institutions and shopping, as well as experience the natural landscapes.

Tucson

While Tucson’s summers may be warm, the city receives more than 300 days of sun a year, meaning fall, winter, and spring offer beautiful sunny weather for attendees to enjoy. This, paired with the natural beauty of the iconic Saguaro National Park flanking Tucson on both sides, makes it a hit among meeting attendees. Attendees love hiking, biking and exploring the Sonoran Desert on their downtime or doing some al fresco dining in many of the city’s celebrated eateries.

Craig McAtee is the executive director & CEO for the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC). Recently, NCATC held its annual conference at Casino Del Sol. “The annual conference is in a different location across the U.S. every year based on the selection of our host community college,” McAtee says. “We had over 135 folks from across the U.S. in attendance.”

McAtee and his meeting planning team select the annual conference city and state each year based on the desired host community college that is part of NCATC’s membership, along with a few other logistical criteria for travelers across the nation.

“Pima Community College was our selected host this year – so Tucson became our site. We use a very professional and long term (over 25 years) partner, Haley Powers, CMP, at Insiteful Meeting Planners, for hotel site selection with significant criteria for the space, room rates and event flow, etc.,” McAtee says. “Casino Del Sol Resort had all of the ‘boxes checked’ for our key criteria and was very responsive to all of our many needs and requests. They also could match our date range needs for planning purposes with Pima Community College and all other key aspects of our annual event in Tucson.”

McAtee and Powers work directly with Visit Tucson for all coordination needs.

“We have been treated very well in most cities across the U.S. over the last 25 years, but Visit Tucson set the bar for professional, friendly and going the extra mile for everything we needed, and more,” McAtee says. “The value and benefits that Visit Tucson offer a meeting planner are the best we have ever experienced over a 25-year period.”

For association planners organizing multi-day conferences, general sessions, breakout meetings, exhibits and group meals, the Omni Tucson National Resort & Spa offers over 25,000 sf of flexible event space designed to meet those demands. Spacious ballrooms and adaptable meeting rooms can be configured for everything from keynote presentations to exhibitor booths, while expansive outdoor areas provide a refreshing setting for receptions, coffee breaks or evening dinners.

At Omni Tucson National Resort & Spa, the experience extends well beyond the meeting room. Between sessions – or as part of the agenda – attendees can recharge with spa treatments, relax by the pool or take in the desert scenery on a championship golf course. The resort also offers unique opportunities for team-building, from guided hikes and yoga to pickleball matches and hands-on cooking classes.

Tucson also continues to reinvent itself with many resorts upgrading their facilities. For example, JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa began renovations this summer and will go through next spring. In addition, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort completed full renovations last year of guestrooms, all F&B, lobby, lounge, spa and fitness facility and meeting spaces. The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa refreshed their guestrooms, front lobby, bar and more last year and will be finishing meeting space renovations soon.

The Tempe Mission Palms offers 303 guestrooms as well as 30,000 sf of meeting space, including a rooftop terrace.

Tempe

Tempe is a vibrant, urban destination for hosting meetings. Located just minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the beautiful Sonoran Desert landscape is the backdrop for an association’s event.

Tempe sets itself apart in the association meetings space for several reasons. Besides easy airlift, it also offers a wide variety of hotels, ranging from four-star properties to business value accommodations. The city’s walkable downtown makes navigating a Tempe itinerary effortless. Inviting streets are lined with a wide variety of restaurants, public art, entertainment offerings, shopping experiences, inspirational architecture and more. Of course, Tempe’s sunny days entice meeting attendees to explore the region’s immersive alfresco dining scene, experience the famous sunsets from a rooftop perch and take advantage nearby recreational offerings.

Mark Phillips, CEO of LamontCo, an event management company, finds Tempe to be a great place for events. “Tempe Tourism makes it so simple to plan a meeting from small to large – it actually feels like the city personally welcomes each group,” Phillips says. “When planning an event in Tempe, think outside the box, work with hotels and Tempe Tourism to develop your program.  Your attendees will love all the options the city offers, from places like Culinary Dropout to the ASU’s Mountain America Stadium. The city truly appreciates the business – you will not be forgotten. Every event we have there has felt like the event was the most important event they have ever had.”

Mesa

When it is time to get down to business, Mesa offers several key meeting venues. The Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West is nestled between the Chicago Cubs’ Spring Training stadium and Mesa Riverview Park and is equipped with 180 guestrooms. The property is walking distance to shopping, entertainment and dining options and offers over 37,000 sf of indoor/outdoor meeting space.

Located in the heart of downtown Mesa, Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix Mesa boasts 11,000 sf of flexible meeting spaces and is adjacent to the Mesa Convention Center and Amphitheatre, which offers visitors nearly 40,000 sf of meeting and exhibit space, including a 19,000 sf main exhibit hall and 26 total breakout rooms.

What started as the city’s first post office in 1937, is now a newly renovated event venue in Mesa, Arizona, named The Post. The venue features 5,750 sf of open programmable space and conference rooms. In the spring, The Post opened an outdoor “neon garden” featuring iconic historic neon signs that once lined downtown Mesa’s Main Street.

Downtown Mesa is a hub for arts, culture and local tastes. It is home to the architecturally stunning Mesa Arts Center, the largest comprehensive arts campus in the Southwest. This structure is comprised of four theaters, five art galleries and 14 art studios. Mesa is also home to a collection of murals and sculptures that are all part of the “art walk” on Main Street.

Phoenix

In recent years, Phoenix has become a top meeting destination – thanks to more than $5 billion in investments in downtown Phoenix. From one of the best convention centers in the U.S., to state-of-the-art meeting spaces gracing a vast array of venues, Phoenix has earned accolades aplenty for being the ideal spot for meetings and conventions.

Phoenix’s walkable downtown offers the ideal location for groups of all sizes. What’s more, many downtown hotels are just a short walk from the much-celebrated Phoenix Convention Center, which boasts a jaw-dropping 502,000 sf of meeting space, equating to 81 meeting rooms and two large ballrooms.

Of course, just outside of the Phoenix metro area, planners will find ample venues that celebrate the region’s stunning landscape. Just 10 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona Grand Resort & Spa offers a true desert escape that blends convenience, scale, and a strong sense of place. Spanning 164 acres and home to 744 guest suites and villas, the resort features more than 120,000 sf of flexible meeting and event space, including 16 outdoor venues.

Following a recent $10 million transformation, Arizona Grand Resort & Spa has elevated the attendee experience with upgraded meeting spaces. Between meetings, attendees can find balance at the 20,000 sf Athletic Club & Spa, which offers treatment rooms, state-of-the-art fitness facilities and a variety of wellness programming. The resort’s 18-hole golf course winds through the natural contours of the Sonoran landscape, providing a serene counterpoint to the day’s agenda.

With so many options to choose from, the biggest challenge meeting planners will have when selecting Arizona as a meeting destination is picking where to go next. AC&F