Vermejo Welcomes Groups to Explore

from Southwest Meetings + Events Summer 2023

Nourishing the Mind in Hospitality

Staff at the 550,000-acre Vermejo, a Ted Turner Reserve that crosses from northern New Mexico into southern Colorado, began welcoming group business this year. The property is ideal for team building, strategizing, incentive trips, and celebrations. While there, groups can enjoy safaris, a via feratta climbing park (a climbing route on a mountain face that uses ladders, fixed anchors, and steel cables to assist with rough terrain), sports shooting, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, and more. For an environmentally conscious experience, teams are invited to build and name their own riparian habitat that they can watch flourish in the years to come.

In March, Ted Turner and the Turner Foundation were recognized by the New Mexico legislature for philanthropy and contribution to large land conservation. Senate Memorial 62 recognized Turner as the largest private landowner in New Mexico, for his efforts toward converting historic properties to nature preserves, and for the foundation’s donation of $1.2 million in grants for youth, conservation, and education organizations statewide. Turner owns more than 1 million acres of land in the state including Vermejo, the 156,000-acre Ladder reserve at the base of the Black Range in the Southern Basin and Range region, and the 360,000-acre Armendaris reserve in the Chihuahuan Desert. tedturnerreserves.com

Los Milics Vineyards Expands

In Elgin, Arizona, near Tucson, Los Milics Vineyards debuted its sleek tasting room in February and will open nine luxury casitas in November. Situated at an altitude of 5,000 feet above sea level in one of the fastest-growing wine regions in the country, Los Milics sits on 20 acres surrounded by the Mustang Mountains. Groups up to 75 people can sip wine paired with food in this stunning architectural gem. losmilicsvineyards.com

Buffalo Bill’s Reopens After Major Renovation

» IT’S A WHOLE NEW WORLD at Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino in Primm, Nevada, after a multimillion-dollar renovation. Redesigned hotel rooms, a refreshed casino floor with a new Tree Bar featuring 85-inch TVs and additional slot machines, and a lineup of restaurants are all part of the upgrades. One of the culinary options, BB Chophouse, emulates a Tuscan countryside and showcases a live-action kitchen in the center of the room. Buffalo Bill’s Star of the Desert Arena also underwent renovations, including the addition of a huge video wall. primmvalleyresorts.com

Southwest Conference Planners Lands ADMEI Awards

Southwest Conference Planners in Scottsdale, Arizona, received two awards at the Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI) annual conference in February at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay in Florida. admei.org.

Best Creative Solution to New World Challenges Program: Music Masters

Southwest Conference Planners designed a client program around a story told from the arrival experience until the group departed. To honor top performer achievements, a set list was created that brought attendees on a musical journey. The stage was set for two completely different events that happened simultaneously and featured two musical genres: pop and country. It was a musical juxtaposition with something for everyone.

Best Event: $200,000 or Less Program: Experience the Elements

Southwest Conference Planners was tasked with creating an event that conveyed four elements (air, earth, fire, and water) while tying in a hotel client’s tagline. From any location in the event venue, guests were met with the elements from colorful pillars and swimming pools to linens and florals. Various activations took place throughout the night to keep the theme alive from food and beverage to turndown gifts.

WYNN LAS VEGAS

INTRODUCES HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAM wynnlasvegas.com

Meeting and event planners can tap into the new Wynn Living Well program at Wynn Las Vegas for ideas on how attendees can take care of their minds and bodies while on the road. The options include the TB12 method of recently retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady and his body coach, Alex Guerrero; the method customizes IV therapies at NutriDrip by Clean Market. Experience in-room workout videos from Amanda Kloots, the program’s ambassador. The videos provide an easy way to sneak in exercise before or after meetings.

A sampling of additional options include a CBDinfused massage at The Spa at Wynn or The Spa at Encore, SoulCycle classes, Living Well food choices, and Drinking Well nonalcoholic beverages.

Scottsdale Private Event Venues Adds to Portfolio

Mick’s Place of Scottsdale and Elevate

Hangar North Phoenix are now part of the 14 event venues managed by Scottsdale Private Event Venues. The portfolio contains 11 hangars, two private collector car venues, and one home. Mick’s Place has 5,000 square feet of unobstructed space, an enviable stable of collector cars, and a central location near Scottsdale resorts. Elevate Hangar North Phoenix features two side-by-side hangars with a combined total of 22,000 square feet of indoor and 10,000 square feet of outdoor space. Scottsdale Private Event Venues also offers event planning services ranging from decor, catering, and ground transportation to audiovisual, production, and live entertainment. spevevents.com

Accessibility & Bee Initiatives in Mesa

Mgm Resorts Joins Ceo Water Mandate

As the first gaming company to endorse the United Nations’ CEO Water Mandate, MGM Resorts International joins a coalition of more than 230 major companies around the world that are making commitments to address water crises and challenges. Through the CEO Water Mandate, participants commit to action across six key elements—direct operations, supply chain and watershed management, collective action, public policy, community engagement, and transparency—and to reporting the progress annually.

From the Fountains of Bellagio to landscaping and swimming pools, water management is a key component of MGM Resorts’ overall sustainability efforts. Between 2007 and 2021, MGM Resorts reduced water use by 37% and avoided use of 5.6 billion gallons through conservation and water-efficient building and design initiatives. A few examples of water-saving efforts include replacing over 200,000 square feet of grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas and installing water-efficient fixtures and equipment in guest rooms, kitchens, and laundry facilities.

mgmresorts.com visitmesa.com | wheeltheworld.com

Visit Mesa is partnering with Wheel the World to ensure the community is one of the nation’s most accessible group destinations. The free service is designed to provide groups with advanced information on accessible experiences in Mesa.

On Wheel the World’s website, attendees can create a personalized profile that allows the organization to recommend accommodations and activities in Mesa that are compatible with travel aspirations and personal needs. The program also allows planners to book hotels and tours and provides reliable information about accessibility in the area. Specialized customer support is also available.

In addition, Visit Mesa is sponsoring two beehives at Freeman Farms to support bee education and sustainability on the destination marketing organization’s Fresh Foodie Trail. The trail links culinary experiences at local farms and weaves groups through Mesa and into the surrounding towns of Queen Creek and Gilbert.

National NACE Leader Speaks at Hotel Valley Ho

Members and guests of the National Association of Catering & Events (NACE) Phoenix Chapter in Arizona gathered on March 21 for networking, a four-course meal, and a presentation by Amber Allen, CPCE, who is serving as president of the national NACE board of directors. Allen is also the director of food and beverage at Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale and is past president of the NACE Phoenix Chapter. No one went home hungry with three appetizers, heirloom tomato mosaic, Parker House rolls, slow-braised beef short ribs and accompanying sides, and banana mousse on the menu.

1. Gianna Hawk and Kiana Huey

2. Decor by PJs Flowers & Events

3. Mia Ventre and Mary Knight

4. Amber Allen, CPCE 5. Charcuterie by Hotel Valley Ho 6. Erica and Chris Sage 7. Shannon Southwick, Jeanette Noiles, Rachel Herr, and Emily Quail