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VENUE REVUE Phoenix Convention Center
PHOENIX CONVENTION ARIZONA’S PREEMINENT MEETING FACILITY CENTER PREPARES TO REOPEN By Anthony Bilden
Many groups look forward to revisiting the Airport is a mere four miles away from the PCC, which is Phoenix Convention Center (PCC) in the served by a dedicated METRO Light Rail stop. near future, and with good reason. Not only Thanks to these assets, Phoenix’s convention industry is is the facility itself top quality, but it’s also proving resilient even in the face of the pandemic. “Currently, surrounded by the best of the Valley of the we are close to our average for conventions in 2021 and Sun. With over 800,000 sq. ft. of retail space, beyond, but it may be a few years before we fully realize a restaurants and bars, and professional sports franchises in rebound to 2019 numbers,” notes Jerry Harper, Deputy the vicinity, attendees have an array of free-time options. In Director of Sales and Marketing for the PCC. addition, planners can take advantage of the presence of three At press time, the PCC was still awaiting approval public universities as potential sources for local speakers. to reopen, and making the necessary preparations to What is more, this meetings oasis in the Sonoran Desert is ensure it happens with optimum safety. “We are closely very accessible: The Phoenix Sky Harbor International monitoring reopening guidelines issued by the Arizona State
well for physical distancing,” Harper explains. “Many are also exploring hybrid options to accommodate those who may not be able to travel.” The PCC offers a variety of event venues, both indoors and outdoors, that a planner can select from according to space requirements in the age of social distancing. All spaces have been designed to evoke the local environment, and indoor spaces feature a layout that greatly facilitates event logistics. “There are two features that set us apart from many of our competitors: Our architecture and our stacked floor plan,” says Davis. “Throughout our campus, guests will find a variety of colors, textures and finishes designed to capture the warm hues of the Sonoran Desert and the cool tones of an Arizona desert sky. Even our outdoor space, Canyon on Third, is bordered by our two main buildings (North and West), giving it a cavernous appearance that pays homage to the many canyons in Arizona. Additionally, our campus layout is a stacked floor plan designed to make it convenient for guests to move about the campus.” The North and West Buildings offer a total of 502,500 sq. ft. of exhibit space, 81 meeting rooms and two large ballrooms, each measuring over 45,000 sq. ft. The South Building houses 143,400 sq. ft. of exhibit space, 18 meeting rooms and a 28,000-sq.-ft. ballroom. Canyon on the Third spans over 80,000 sq. ft., accommodating a variety of events under the Arizona sky. “We find that a lot of meeting and event planners are looking for outdoor space to enhance the experience for attendees by offering a chance to take full Governor’s Office,” says Jacqueline Davis, Marketing and advantage of the weather,” says Davis. “Our outdoor event Communications Manager at the PCC. “Once we’re approved space — Canyon on Third — is ideal for events that want a to reopen by state and/or local health and government flexible, blank canvas. The space can be customized based officials, we’ll do so by following the guidance of the Centers on meeting and event needs. The space has been used for for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).” evening receptions, carnivals, fan festivals, security screening
A variety of industry experts and healthcare professionals and so much more.” beyond the CDC are informing the Just as the PCC’s design is convention center’s reopening plan. The result has been robust health and safety measures that include “Our outdoor event space — Canyon on Third — is ideal for events that attuned to the Southwestern locale, so is the facility’s cuisine. “Aventura’s state-of-the-art food earning GBAC STAR accreditation want a flexible, blank canvas. court, PHX Kitchens Downtown and establishing five strategies: The space can be customized based Food Hall, provides an array of • • Constant cleaning and disinfecting, in compliance with GBAC STAR’s 20 elements; Removing touch points wherever on meeting and event needs. The space has been used for evening receptions, carnivals, fan festivals, dining options, such as locally roasted coffee and authentic Mexican cuisine,” Davis notes. Aventura Catering, part of possible (e.g., from entrance and security screening and so much Aramark Corporation, was exit, parking areas and ticket office); more.” created specifically for the PCC • Encouraging or requiring personal preventive measures (e.g., requiring masks for guests and employees, installing hand —Jacqueline Davis, Marketing and Communications Manager, Phoenix Convention Center and has established partnerships with local farms and suppliers to ensure the F&B that attendees enjoy is fresh, innovative and sanitizer stations and posting locally inspired. Aventura also reminders about proper hygiene); contributes to the PCC’s sustainable operations by using • Client communication and staff training (e.g., providing compostable packaging and purchasing products made employees training and constant reminders on disinfecting from plant-based materials free of any GMOs, among other protocols); and practices. • Following CDC recommendations for physical distancing. Indeed, environmentally conscious groups have an
“Right now, we have quite a few clients who are utilizing ideal partner in the Phoenix Convention Center, which is the same space while anticipating fewer attendees. This works LEED Silver certified. “There are over 700 solar panels that
Awash in natural light, the Phoenix Convention Center’s prefunction spaces connect attendees to the environment
generate enough output to power 14 homes in a year, and we’ve purchased more than 31,000 chairs made from recycled car batteries and seatbelts to use in our meeting rooms,” Davis explains. “We also recycle more than 460 tons of material each year.”
Just as the Phoenix Convention Center is devoted to conserving the environment, it is also fulfilling its due diligence when it comes to protecting attendees and staff in these challenging times. Returning groups will not only rediscover the wonders of meeting in the Valley of the Sun, but they will do so with confidence in the health and safety of their attendees.
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