Arizona SunBelt Chapter MPI 2015

2015-16 Arizona Sunbelt Chapter of Meeting Professionals International’s board of directors Top row, from left: Shelley Sullivan, US Foods; Sharon Scronic, Arizona Dental Association; Lee Smith, Hotel Valley Ho; Danielle Adams, WM Symposia; James Eggimann, CMP, The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center; Jill Longfellow, EHI Holdings; Troy Peters, CTS, Video West; Michelle Fulcher, CMP, Discovery Treks; and Kelli Dawson, SMMC. Front row, from left: Cristin Barr, CMP, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe; Erin Forrest, DoubleTree by Hilton, Phoenix and Tempe; Susie Molinich, CMP, SMMC, American Express Meetings & Events; Penny Allphin, CHME, Hassayampa Inn; Tiffany Higgins, The Tiffany Event; Debbie Elder, CMP, independent planner; Joanne Winter, MPI; and David Rosenbaum, CHME, Carefree Resort and Conference Center.

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Meeting Professionals International

Penny wise AzMPI president says meetings can change the world

By MICHAEL GOSSIE

PHOTO BY ROBIN SENDELE, AZ BIG MEDIA

PENNY ALLPHIN: “My goals are to be a mentor to future leaders and to make sure this association stays strong and relevant,” said the president of the Arizona Sunbelt Chapter of Meeting Professionals International. “I want to be a resource and to help the association be the best association it can be.”

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Desert Botanical Garden

P

enny Allphin grew up in the world of meetings and events.

“I have been in the hospitality industry since I was 17 years of age,” says Allphin, vice president of sales and marketing at Aris Hospitality Management, LLC. “There are never two days alike and there is never a dull moment – which keeps it exciting.”

Allphin isn’t one to let a dull moment find her, either. She is a former president of the Arizona Chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and is current president of the Arizona Sunbelt Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI).

She brings an impressive resume to her leadership role in the industry association, including a current role with the Hassayampa Inn in Prescott

and former positions with Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa, Carefree Resort & Villas and Radisson Poco Diablo Resort.

Allphin talked recently about her goals as president of AzMPI and trends that are impacting the meetings and events industry she knows so well.

Az Business: How has your affiliation with MPI impacted you professionally?

Penny Allphin: It’s helped me on so many different levels. It helps members improve their communication skills, leadership skills, managerial skills. You just become a better, more well-rounded professional.

The level of MPI’s education programs and the level of the people you network with helps members take their careers to a higher level.

AB: How important is networking in your industry?

PA: Relationship building is where everything happens. When you have a relationship with someone, it’s easier to call them when you need something. With networking, it’s easier to get help and find mentorships.

AB: Are face-to-face meetings becoming a thing of the past?

PA: With technology, you’re never unplugged. So when you go and have faceto-face meetings, it’s refreshing to have human contact and people like that.

AB: How is Arizona doing as a meetings and events destination?

PA: Arizona is doing well. Transient rooms (individual travelers) are leading the way as in we have a lot of tourists coming to our state. Group travel is up — not as much as transient — but it is up. We are hoping that we will see a bigger impact from groups in 2016.

AB: How is technology impacting the meetings and events industry?

PA: Have you been to a meeting recently where you see all the projectors and screens and lights? Meetings are huge productions today. It not like it used to be where you showed up in a meeting room and there was just an overhead projector in the middle of the room. Now, you can use smartphones or tablets to take live surveys during an event and really get a feel for what your audience wants and what they’re looking to get out of the event. Soon, we are going to be able to use smartphones for microphones, you’ll be able to use your smartphone to ask questions instead of running around the room with a microphone. How cool is that? Technology has expanded our industry and allowed us to get messages out much more effectively.

What is MPI? Meeting Professionals International (MPI)

is the largest and most vibrant global meeting and event industry association. The organization provides innovative and relevant education, networking opportunities and business exchanges, and acts as a prominent voice for the promotion and growth of the industry. MPI membership is comprised of approximately 18,500 members belonging to more than 80 chapters and clubs in 22 countries. For additional information or to join, visit www. mpiweb.org.

ARIZONA CHAPTER: Active since 1979, the Arizona

Sunbelt Chapter is MPI’s 18th largest chapter in the world. The organization is comprised of 320 members throughout Arizona, representing a mix of corporate, association, government and independent meeting planners, suppliers who provide a variety of products and/or services to the meeting and hospitality industry as well as student and faculty from local colleges and universities.

The local chapter offers members educational, networking and community volunteer opportunities, plus industry certification and professional growth opportunities. For more information, contact Executive Director Joanne Winter, at 602-277-1494 or visit the chapter website at azmpi.org.

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AzMPI

Phoenix Art Museum

AB: What other trends are impacting the meetings and events industry?

PA: For so long, with the industry being slower, meeting planners pretty much wrote their ticket. Now, with the change in the economy, the pendulum is swinging more to the hotel side and hotels no longer have to give away their services. Planners aren’t liking that because they’ve been spoiled and are saying, “What?

I’ve never paid for that.” Hotels are starting to recoup some of the expenditures they were forced to forfeit while the economy was down. For years, meeting room rentals weren’t charged because hotels were just thankful to have business. But with business coming back, hotels can actually charge for their services again.

AB: How do mega events impact Arizona’s meetings and events industry?

PA: Arizona is becoming a hub of activity. When the events are in town, it impacts everybody and everything — transportation, hotel rooms, restaurants, activities. Everybody wants to know where to go, where to play. There are so many moving components.

We are a state filled with beautiful resorts, beautiful hotels and some of the best restaurants. So when people are exposed to the state, they see that we are a tourist state and we know how to treat

them right, so they want to come back.

AB: How does MPI impact Arizona’s tourism industry?

PA: One of the problems our industry has is explaining to people what we do. I want to see one voice. I want MPI to help get a better voice out there nationally about what we do with meetings, what we do with events and how what we do affects the overall market.

There is a whole movement about the advocacy of meetings and how they impact the nation financially and what we want to do with meetings and events heading into the future. I just want MPI to be part of that big voice.

AB: What are your goals as AzMPI president?

PA: Everybody was asking me what my theme is going to be and I am following the lead of MPI International. Their theme is perfect: “When we meet, we change the world.” That is true. When we meet, we can make things happen. People get energized when they meet with other people. People don’t get energized from an email with a task list. People get energized when they hear how their company is doing and where they are headed. They get knowledge. They understand. They get better.

That is powerful.

AzMPI’s top performers The following members of the Arizona Sunbelt Chapter of Meeting Professionals International were recognized at the Annual Awards Gala held in June at the Phoenix Marriott Tempe at the Buttes: Planner of the Year: Sharon Scronic, Arizona Dental Association Supplier of the Year: Kate Snapp, CTA, Marriott International Edward E. Scannell Award: Patricia Zollman, CMP, CMM,

HelmsBriscoe Sponsorship awards: Loews Ventana Canyon Resort and

Hassayampa Inn Rising Star Award: Shelley Sullivan, US Foods

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Host Property/Venue of the Year: Hotel Valley Ho Committee of the Year Award: EduCon Committee Member of the Year Award: Troy Peters, CTS, Video West Chapter Achievement Award: Lee Smith, Hotel Valley Ho President’s Achievement Award: Erin Forrest, DoubleTree by

Hilton Phoenix Tempe

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AzMPI

Class act AzMPI partners with universities to stress the importance of education and training for the industry’s future By MICHAEL GOSSIE

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oday’s students need to hit the ground running.

“One of the fascinating things I share with my classes every semester is how important the bachelor’s degree Michelle Fulcher is to employment,” said Gary Vallen, a professor in the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management at Northern Arizona University.

“Studies performed by the industry demonstrate the same fact; well over 80 percent of today’s executives hold at least a bachelor’s degree. While it is your skill and motivation that keeps your job and moves you up the ladder, it is the college degree which gets your foot in the door.”

That’s never been more true in the meetings and events industry than it is today. Recognizing that today’s students will evolve into tomorrow’s leaders, the Arizona Sunbelt Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (AzMPI) is partnering with the state’s universities to demonstrate the importance of education and training for the future of the industry. AzMPI has even launched clubs at Arizona State University and NAU. The industry impact from the collaboration is undeniable.

“I gained insight and knowledge from (college) professors who had been in the hospitality industry for years,” said Deliah Rose, who went through NAU’s Hotel and Restaurant Management Program and is now director of hotel sales and marketing at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino. “I loved the idea 88

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Deliah Rose

Christina Tzavellas

Gary Vallen

that I was learning from people who had been on the front line, not just from a book.”

Rose said college level training also exposes students to different aspects of the hospitality industry to help them determine what they enjoy most.

“Classes included everything from guest service to tourism, accounting to housekeeping,” Rose said. “We were also required to have real world experience before graduation.”

At NAU, Vallen said the meetings and events management course helps students become involved with more than 25 separate events in just 16 weeks.

Life lessons

Experts say today’s college classes and hands-on experience prepare prospective meeting and event planners for those “real-life” scenarios they will encounter in the industry.

“This structured education assists in providing the basis for effective and efficient decision-making as they understand meeting management concepts as well as the related business

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AzMPI

AzMPI member spotlight Erin Forrest Catering sales manager DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix - Tempe Professional background: While attending the hotel and restaurant management program at Northern Arizona University, Forrest worked front desk in the hospitality industry and completed a front office internship during the summer before her senior year. After graduating, Forrest moved into sales and catering.

MPI background: “In 2008, I was signed up as the MPI member for my hotel. For the first year, I wasn’t very involved but after having lunch with a member of board, I was ‘volun-told’ for the Monthly Program Committee. The following year, I chaired the committee and then joined the board. I’ve been an active member ever since.”

Trend to watch: “In catering and conference services, food trends are always interesting to me. However, I believe the healthier food options will continue into 2016. Yet there is always the struggle between the meeting planner selecting the veggie cup and the attendee wanting a cookie.”

AzMPI member spotlight Sharon Scronic Manager of educational programs Arizona Dental Association Professional background: Scronic started working a few meetings in college and was instantly hooked on the meetings and events industry. She has worked everything from corporate and association meetings to fundraising events. After college, Scronic got into association planning and has been planning educational programs for the past five years.

MPI background: “I first got involved with MPI by going to a few monthly programs and was soon asked if I would chair the annual EduCon.” Trend to watch: ““I think that the biggest issue to impact the industry in 2016 will be the continued racial unrest throughout the country. Planners never want to put their attendees in a situation that could be potentially dangerous to anyone, making canceling or moving large conventions at the last minute necessary, but extremely difficult for both the planner and attendee.”

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AzMPI applications,” said Michelle Fulcher, CMP, manager at Discovery Treks who also teaches at ASU. “Such training better ensures a less experienced meeting professional can communicate and understand client and attendee needs.”

Fulcher said practical experience through internships and industry jobs while in school is also necessary to gain confidence, teamwork skills and understand how the industry's individuals work in tandem.

A quick glance at NAU’s core curriculum — featuring classes in convention sales, hotel operations, restaurant and kitchen management, accounting, facilities management, sustainability, information technology, law, group sales and revenue management — shows how well-rounded the education is for professionals coming out of Arizona’s universities.

“Our curriculum is constantly evolving,” Vallen said. “The core and elective classes are mostly new for this decade. We were not offering these classes in meetings, events and catering 10 years ago.”

Raising the profile

Experts said a lot has changed in the meeting management industry that makes the profession a more compelling field of study for students.

“In the past, the U.S. Department of Labor classified meeting professionals as a subgroup of hospitality and tourism with lodging managers and restaurateurs,” said Christina Tzavellas,

CMP, who works with partnership development and sales for the International Association of Exhibitions and Events. “For the first time, the meeting and event professionals are being recognized by the Department of Labor as a standalone sector.

Their decision was based upon review of the Meeting and Business Event Competency Standards, the CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) Standards, and the CEM (Certified in Exhibition Management) blueprint to document the body of knowledge required by event professionals.”

Add the higher profile for professionals in the industry with

AzMPI member spotlight Kate Snapp Sales executive, business development Marriott International Professional background: Snapp is a hospitality veteran with more than 30 years of experience.

In her current position, her responsibilities are total account management and business development. The key to her success is based upon building and maintaining strong and key relationships. She is a member of the Marriott International Business Council, advisory board member and past president for HSMAI, committee member for MPI, fundraising and events director for the Oro Valley Dolphins Football and Cheer Organization and school board member for Casas Christian School.

MPI background: “Years ago, one of my top clients in Colorado brought me to a chapter meeting as their guest. I was completely hooked. When I moved to Arizona, it was the first organization I joined.”

Trend to watch: “The main focus that I see impacting our industry is the Millennial generation.

They are completely changing the landscape in how to travel, how to meet and what experience/ outcome they are looking for. It has been fun and exciting to be a part of the immense change. From Uber to nontraditional meeting set-ups, it’s truly affecting every interaction from start to finish. We are not a commodity, so we have to completely change the way we sell and deliver our products.

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Phoenix Art Museum

Art Museum economy each year. The Phoenix Convention Center contributes demand for new talent and you have a very attractivePhoenix profession. nearly $1 million in estimated spending each day.”

Between 2010 and 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics While meetings and events are seeing a resurgence after the estimates a 44 percent job growth in the meetings, conventions recession, the industry has become far more competitive. and events industry, which makes it an even more attractive “There’s a huge market potential to any organization involved career option. in group business,” Vallen said. “As such, they’re all involved. For “Despite online communication, there is a globalized increase example, even the lowest-priced lodging operations compete for of companies recognizing the importance of meetings and events small group business. Today’s executives need to understand the in forging business relationships with the power of face-to-face economics of group business and be able to quote events which dialogue and a handshake,” Tzavellas said. “Meetings are critical to financial systems, delivering more than $5 billion into the U.S. are both attractive (competitively priced) and profitable.”

AzMPI member spotlight Shelley Sullivan Meetings coordinator US Foods Professional background: After working for more than 20 years as an administrative professional and 11 years with US Foods, Sullivan joined the travel and meetings department as its meetings coordinator in March 2014.

MPI background: “I became a member at the suggestion of my mentor and manager, LoriAnn Harnish, a past AzMPI president and current member, who saw that I wanted to pursue a career in the meetings industry. I attended my first AzMPI meeting in May 2014, became a member in July, signed on as event chair in September, received Member of the Month in October, was selected as director of IT 2015-16 in April and was awarded the Rising Star award at the AzMPI Gala in June.”

Trend to watch: “I believe the biggest impact to the meetings industry will continue to come from new and improved technology. In the past year, I have been to meetings with drones flying around the room, have seen social media messages from Facebook and Twitter displayed on the meeting room walls and used mobile apps to look at meeting agendas, location maps and speaker bios. Not only have I been amazed at what I’ve seen, but I am excited to see what the future will hold.”

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Between 2010 and 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a 44 percent job growth in the meetings, conventions and events industry, which makes it an even more attractive career option.

Changing space To prepare students for a changing marketplace, Tzavellas said colleges and universities will be challenged to create multi-level meeting professionalism programs, including undergraduate degrees in meeting professionalism and graduate degrees with industry specialties, such as hotel management, public relations, communications, marketing or business. Tzavellas said some school systems have even introduced meeting professionalism at the high school level.

Vallen said he expect to see technology transform meeting management education in the next decade.

“While we have yet to see the explosion of online meetings, it is only a matter of time,” Vallen said. “While nothing will ever replace face-to-face events, the costs of attending keep rising.

Online meetings will continue to slice a bigger portion of the pie.”

Vallen also talks to students about the potential impact of

proprietary conferences and events.

“If I were a new graduate, I’d risk it all and develop a new conference — think National Association of Home Builders or Consumer Electronics Show, privately owned conventions which have made their owners literally billions of dollars.”

Whatever the future of the industry may bring, leaders of AzMPI said nurturing relationships with colleges and universities positions the industry to have an even greater economic impact in Arizona.

“That is our next generation coming,” said Penny Allphin, current president of AzMPI. “Grand Canyon University is now opening a hospitality course. ASU, Scottsdale Community College and NAU all have great programs that are boosting our industry. There are more people in the hospitality industry than ever. It runs America. When we meet, we change the world.

Education is knowledge. When you can become better and more proficient in your profession, it makes you better. And it’s making our industry stronger.”

AzMPI member spotlight Patricia Zollman, CMP, CMM, HMCC Senior director, global accounts HelmsBriscoe Professional background: Zollman has worked with HelmsBriscoe for 18 years. She has been an MPI member since 1997, including serving on the board of the MPI Northern California Chapter, as a speaker with the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program and as founder of CMP U for the Arizona chapter. Zollman received the Edward E. Scannell award from MPI in 2014-2015.

MPI background: “When I joined HelmsBriscoe, I was asked by the incoming MPI board president if I would chair a committee. I gladly accepted and have been involved ever since.”

Trend to watch: “My clients are doing more with the same budget as previous years, but with more attendees. Securing a fair deal and negotiating concessions can be difficult in this seller’s market.

Keeping up with industry trends is critical for program success and third parties will have to get creative to find solutions for their clients.”

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AzMPI

Trading spaces Trading spaces With new and revamped venues opening up, planners outline the qualities they seek in a meeting location By LAUREN HOLLY If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

It can always be a little unsettling to try something new.

This is true in the world of meetings and events, as well. Many companies have been doing their meetings at the same places with the same routines for years. Familiarity can be very comforting, especially in business.

“It’s the variable of the unknown,” said Heather Cleveland, CMP, senior manager of meetings and events for CSP Business Media, LLC. “It’s very difficult to trust someone else to fulfill the needs of our clients. When working with a new place, I need to be 98

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ensured they will deliver the needs of the program.”

However, with so many new, redesigned and unique venue locations popping in the Valley, many companies and meeting planners are finding it’s time to take a closer look at the pros and cons of holding a corporate meeting at one of these new properties.

“The drawbacks of a new hotel or venue could be that the team is still working out the kinks and getting to know the property themselves,” said Lynda Hislop, president of Event Experiences.

But being the new kid on the block also means making a new set of rules, which can sometimes boost the bottom line when

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trying to organize an event on a budget.

“For me, when I’m looking for a location, I don’t like to see a space rental fee,” said Devin Hernandez, CMP, meeting and event manager for imortgage. “When you’re bringing in a meeting, you have so much food and beverage (cost). So complimentary space is definitely one of the things I look for.”

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AzMPI visual capabilities and the packages that are already built for corporate events.

“I look at whatever can make it as simple and easy as possible to help the meeting go smoothly,” she said.

Aside from critical elements like food, location and setup, Cleveland said she considers one particularly critical and relevant question when deciding whether to organize a meeting or event at a new venue: “Do they possess the drive for perfection that’s necessary?”

Experts agree that holding a corporate meeting at a new location can bring excitement and uncertainty. This can put pressure on both the planner and the rookie venue.

Joann Dirtadian, CMP, manager of conventions for Bard Peripheral Vascular, said that it can be, “exciting, challenging and risky – a challenge for the hotel to meet all expectations of the meeting if they do not have experience yet.”

Dirtadian explained that a benefit could be a new, eager hotel wanting to ensure that the company’s meeting exceeds its expectations.

“Some benefits of planning a meeting at a different place is that it’s new and exciting for the attendees to experience,” Cleveland explained. “It’s easier to deal with an all-inclusive event venue than one you need to piecemeal out all items since you deal with fewer people to achieve the same result. Thus, there is hopefully less room for error or delivery issues.”

Corporate meeting planners in Arizona are also faced with myriad of interior and exterior décor options. With Arizona having so many unique styles, experts say it’s sometime important for a new venue or meeting location to have an Arizona look and feel.

“I believe that when attendees or guests visit an Arizona hotel, part of the benefit is experiencing some of the Arizona culture and what makes this area unique,” Hislop said.

But Cleveland said it’s not important.

“I know many people who do not like the Southwestern style,” Cleveland said. “However, it is great when a property can incorporate elements of the desert without losing a luxury feel.”

Cleveland said the best examples of locations that effectively combines those elements are the Camelback Inn, Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort

“I think it’s nice to bring a little bit of our character in there, but I also think Arizona has grown up really well and is moving away from the ‘Wild West’ theme”

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& Spa and Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa.” Hernandez, on the other hand, can see both sides.

“I think it’s nice to bring a little bit of our character in there, but I also think Arizona has grown up really well and is moving away from the Wild West theme,” said Hernandez. “The Four Seasons at Troon does one of the best jobs doing that – bringing in a little bit of the local, but not being cheesy or over-the-top.”

To make sure all the hard work has paid off and the venue is effective, meeting and events experts agree that surveys are essential for evaluation.

“This is imperative to me for learning what worked and what did not,” Cleveland said. “When an event is a success, you need to work on making it a success the following year. Every bit of feedback is helpful in that effort.”

“Surveys usually tell you what you already know,” said Hernandez. “They validate what you can already feel. But it’s more or less useful for me a year from now. I can go back, review it and remember everything that happened.”

In order to be considered one of the best locations for a corporate meeting, new or old, experts said service and communication were easily the two most important qualities.

“Service level is huge to me,” said Hernandez. “I usually work with a lot of upper-tier resort properties because they have the best service levels and they continue to offer what the mission is at our company. So, the Ritz Carlton, the Fairmonts, the JW’s, the Montelucia – those service levels.”

Hernandez continued, “And the communication … I can’t tell you how many properties we have a bid out for and then we don’t hear from them for days or weeks, or they don’t come back with the correct information.

They don’t provide the space layouts, things like that.”

Cleveland said she considers enthusiasm to be a critical quality for potential venues.

“It’s important they want to work on your event (or make you feel that way), to help make it a success,” explained Cleveland.

“My clients don’t like to hear ‘no’ without an alternative, and neither do I. If you cannot accommodate a request, give me an alternative that you can do for me. Being creative and flexible is the best thing you can do for a planner.”

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AzMPI

Hot spots

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It’s always nice to have a professional opinion. Arizona offers a variety of options for corporate meetings, conferences or off-sites events and activities and who knows these locations better that meeting and event planners? Here are some of the most interesting and unique locations in Arizona that members of the Arizona Sunbelt Chapter of Meeting Professionals International say are great spots for a meeting or event:

C

asino del Sol: In addition to its 18,000-square-foot ballroom that divides into five smaller rooms, Casino Del Sol Resort offers its corporate visitors gaming, a Ty Butler- and Notah Begay-designed golf course, hiking trails, mountain bike trails and horseback riding.

Information: casinodelsolresort.com Chase Field: “We had a meeting for 100 people and made it an all-day event,” said Devin Hernandez, CMP, meeting and event manager for imortgage. “We did a tour of the field, went down in the locker rooms and then ended with a suite.”

Information: azchasefield.com Chateau Luxe: This is a new luxurious indoor and outdoor event venue with breathtaking outdoor space, ballrooms with

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windows and views to avoid the dark and dull walls of a hotel.

Information: chateauluxeaz.com Desert Botanical Garden: “Unique because they are truly one-of-a-kind,” said Heather Cleveland, CMP, senior manager of meetings and events for CSP Business Media, LLC. “You cannot duplicate them anywhere.”

Information: dbg.org Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch: Joann Dirtadian, CMP, manager of conventions for Bard Peripheral Vascular, said, “This is the best hotel and staff I have dealt with in the Valley.” This location features 70,000 square feet of indoor ballrooms and beautifully landscaped outdoor space.

Information: scottsdale.hyatt.com JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn: Rated one of the best luxurious locations in Scottsdale, Camelback Inn offers an extensive 125 acres of breathtaking campus landscape and Arizona mountain views. “Great location, great staff and great food,” Dirtadian said.

Information: camelbackinn.com Mesa Arts Center: MAC's wide range of facilities across three campuses in the heart of Downtown Mesa offers multiple options for every vision and budget.

Information: mesaartscenter.com Omni Scottsdale Resort at Montelucia: It offers luxury accommodations, beautiful European décor with more than 27,000 square feet of indoor meeting areas and

14 breakout rooms. Recommended by Hernandez for its unique character and outstanding service levels.

Information: omnihotels.com/hotels/ scottsdale-montelucia Phoenix Art Museum: This location is one of the largest art museums in the Southwest, with gorgeous landscapes and artwork from all over the world.

It’s perfect for business luncheons and corporate meetings if you’re looking to enjoy something educational and aesthetically pleasing.

Information: phxart.org

Studios 5c: Winner of numerous architectural awards, this venue is located in the Mill Avenue District of downtown Tempe. Rooftop patio of more than 2,000 square feet with views of Sun Devil Stadium and mountains. Room for up to 75-100 guests.

Information: studios5c.com The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa: Dirtadian said this location offers expert catering and perfectly prepared menus and includes on-site staff and tech support. “Great location and great options available,” Dirtadian said.

Information: kierlandresort.com University of Phoenix Stadium: The stadium's stunning views, state-of-theart amenities and climate-controlled comfort create an ideal meeting space for events of any size.

Information: universityofphoenixstadium.com Venue 8600: Seven flexible meeting rooms to host classes, luncheons, banquets and receptions. Ceilingmounted projectors and projection screens in every room. Handheld and lavalier wireless microphones.

Information: venue8600.com WestWorld of Scottsdale: “We had a huge group of about 3,000 people,” said Hernandez. “That’s one of my new favorite places to do an event of that size because it’s a blank canvas ... It gives us some free reigns to use what we want to use and partner with some different partners that we wouldn’t be able to within a hotel.”

Information: westworldaz.com Wrigley Mansion: This location offers spectacular 360-degree views of the city and mountains. It can hold up to 300 people for sit-down meetings and up to 1,500 people for larger events.

Site includes 10 beautiful rooms, as well as outdoor venues of different sizes.

Information: wrigleymansion.com

Wrigley Mansion

Casino Del Sol AB | September-October 2015

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