Every meeting planner has a wish list of items that they need in order to plan a successful event. At the top of the list is the meeting destination. Will there be good weather? Is it easy to get to? What are the options for meeting space and hotel accommodations? Is there assistance available through the destination’s CVB or tourism office? And, is it a place that attendees will enjoy? Tempe, Arizona checks all of the boxes on your wish list.
Let’s start by checking out Tempe’s weather. With sunny skies 330 days a year, Tempe’s warm, dry weather will be pleasing to attendees looking to escape colder climates. Between January and April, the ideal temperatures beckon visitors to enjoy outdoor activities like biking, attending an outdoor festival and going to a spring training game. The weather in May and June is warmer, but mornings and evenings are pleasantly cool. Our low season during summer typically lasts from July through September. Meeting planners will find this time of year perfect for finding great deals on meeting packages. In addition, locals and visitors can avoid the summer heat by visiting indoor attractions and venturing outdoors in the early morning or late evening. Autumn in Tempe, October through December, welcomes the holiday season with cooler weather, especially at night, and visitors are rewarded with clear skies for hiking, strolling around Tempe Town Lake and dining outdoors.
"Location, location, location" might seem cliché, but it is absolutely vital to a successful meeting. That is why Tempe should be on the top of your list. Tempe is located in the middle of the metropolitan area, bordering Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, and Chandler. In fact, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is just 4 miles from Downtown Tempe. Valley Metro Rail provides easy access to Downtown Phoenix, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Downtown Tempe making it even easier to reach our city. With more than 100 cities served non-stop from the airport, your attendees will have no problem reaching our destination from any part of the U.S.
Tempe has venues that are perfect for groups ranging from 10-500 attendees. The top meeting choices include the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel which is located just steps from the more than 100 shops and restaurants located in Downtown Tempe. Planners will love the city views at Phoenix Marriott Tempe at The Buttes, a unique property nestled into a hilltop overlooking Tempe and the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Another option to consider is the DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix – Tempe, a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired resort in a garden setting. Each of these offers flexible meeting space between 30,000-40,000 square feet. In total, Tempe offers 45 hotels with more than 6,200 guestrooms which means meeting planners have more than enough options to fit their needs. Make your next meeting more memorable by including an event at an off-site venue. There are several one-of-a-kind locations in and around Tempe that can accommodate a cocktail party, group dinner or team-building event including Tempe Center for the Arts, Main Event Entertainment, Dave & Buster’s, AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park, Desert Botanical Garden, and Tempe Beach Park.
Tempe is a college town which means an abundance of dining, nightlife, and entertainment for your attendees to enjoy. Downtown Tempe is a pedestrian-friendly area that is home to more than 100 restaurants, shops, bars, and pubs. Culinary Dropout is one such popular hot spot that offers an amazing restaurant, bar, private meeting space and a patio with games. Four Peaks Brewing Company is known for Kilt Lifter, Arizona’s most popular beer, a delicious menu and brewery tours of their operations and historic building. Tempe Marketplace is an outdoor shopping center with popular restaurants, outdoor fireplaces, brand name stores and a 16 screen movie theater. In the southern part of Tempe, you will find Arizona Mills which is Arizona’s largest outlet and entertainment center. Arizona Mills offers more than 170 shops and attractions including SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Tilt Studio, IMAX and a 25 screen theater. Attendees can also experience cultural events such as Broadway shows at ASU Gammage, contemporary art at the ASU Art Museum and Ceramics Research Center, cutting-edge theatre at the Tempe Center for the Arts and exhibitions that explore Arizona history at the AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park.
Are you ready to begin planning your next program in Arizona? Contact our helpful staff today to learn more about Tempe. Our complimentary services include RFP distribution, sourcing for meeting services and connecting meeting planners with recommended suppliers.
The Tempe Tourism Office is also offering a booking incentive through June 2018 that can save planners up to $500. Check our promotional offer on Cvent for more information. Planners can also contact our staff to discuss participating in a Tempe Destination Experience. Qualified planners will be provided a personalized site visit to Tempe to view hotels, restaurants, attractions and other places that are a custom fit for your program. The Destination Experience includes roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations, ground transportation and meals. We’re ready to help. Contact us today to learn more about Tempe, our booking incentive and Destination Experience program. You can reach us at conventionsales@tempetourism.com or visit www.MeetInTempe.com.
