Flora, Fauna, Culture and History
Phoenix, Scottsdale and proud Southwestern roots
By Morgan Saltz
The desert of the Southwest has gained popularity for wellness and its natural beauty. As meeting planners are looking for destinations that offer more experiential and memorable options for attendees, cities such as Phoenix and Scottsdale are seeing an increase in meetings.
With rich culture and history, exciting wildlife and high-end resorts, Phoenix and Scottsdale integrate the outdoors and cultural fabric of the Southwest while offering everything a modern meeting or event needs to be successful and accommodating to its attendees. Phoenix and Scottsdale have achieved that desired balance of modern hospitality and authentic heritage and history—and the industry is taking notice.
5 Reasons Meeting Profs Love It
- Heard Museum
An internationally recognized museum, the Heard Museum in Phoenix celebrates American Indian culture through art exhibits, educational programs and festivals. With its balance of traditional artwork and contemporary works by American Indians today, the museum gives insight to the history and the current perspective of American Indians in the Southwest.
- Hot Air Balloon Rides
Fly above the Sonoran desert with Rainbow Ryders, one of many hot air balloon companies in the Greater Phoenix Area. With options for a sunrise balloon ride, a sunset balloon ride and even a private balloon ride for incentive travelers, attendees will always remember the breathtaking views of Arizona.
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- Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West
As a National Historic Landmark and a Unesco Heritage Site, the museum celebrates Wright’s incorporation of the organic materials found in the Sonoran Desert into his structures. With a seamless flow between the outdoors and indoors, groups can take tours or hold meetings/events in one of the museum’s outdoor or indoor spaces.
- Spirit of Arizona Tours
For an authentic educational experience, take this tour from Arizona historian Jarrod Riddle and others to learn about the culture, food and diversity of the state. Tour groups will also learn about the beauty of the outdoors of Arizona and learn about desert ecological systems and the flora and fauna.
- McDowell Sonoran Preserve
The preserve is one of the largest urban preserves in North America and is maintained by the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. Dedicated to protecting the Sonoran desert and its mountains, adventurous visitors can experience hiking, mountain biking, rock-climbing and horseback riding on the preserved and treasured natural land.
5 Fabulous Places to Meet and Stay
With the completion of its meeting and event space in early September, the hotel is revealing its “modern take on the Sonoran Desert.” Colors, textures and patterns inspired by wildlife and indigenous history of the Southwest bring the desert indoors.
More than 160,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor meeting space; 24 meeting rooms.
Desert Willow Conference Center
Only a five-minute drive from Sky Harbor International Airport in downtown Phoenix, Desert Willow is near attractions celebrating nature and culture unique to the Southwest region. The Desert Botanical Garden, the Phoenix Art Museum and the iconic Grand Canyon are not far.
40,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 400-seat ballroom.
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort & Spa
This spa oasis on 53 acres of Sonoran Desert features Asian-inspired treatments and a Zen meditation garden.
9,000 sq. ft. of meeting space; 109 casitas and suites.
At the foot of Camelback mountain, this sprawling resort owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is a wellness retreat with a 25,000-square-foot ballroom.
113,000 sq. ft. of indoor-outdoor meeting space and 496 guest rooms.
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
Meet and stay amongst the cacti and enjoy sweeping views of valleys and mountains. With charming casitas and luxurious suites, groups can take advantage of Scottsdale’s famous Pinnacle Peak with outdoor-team building activities.
35,920 sq. ft. total event space, 5,940 sq. ft. Pinnacle Ballroom.
Natural Beauty in the Southwest
It is no surprise the natural beauty of the Southwest has inspired prolific artists such as Georgia O’Keefe and Agnes Martin. The rich colors contrast against each other as the sun comes up and the mountains become purple and the lower landscape orange – it is no wonder artists have found inspiration in Arizona. Experience nature in the Southwest for yourself by visiting these amazing destinations.
Camelback Mountain, Phoenix
Named for its resemblance of a kneeling camel, the apex of the mountain offers a 360-degree view of Phoenix – for those who can make it. Make no mistake, the hike to the top is not for beginning hikers. However, if your group is a particularly fit group or chock-full of hiking enthusiasts, the summit is an incredible place to have a picnic and rest while absorbing a panoramic view of the city.
Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
Beyond the beauty of the fauna gracing southwestern landscapes is the passion to preserve the unique ecosystem and continue conducting research to conserve the regional plants. The Desert Botanical Garden is not only a beautiful garden displaying plants native to the region but also a research and conservation center dedicated to protecting nature and educating others on how they can help. Groups can take a tour of the beautiful garden while learning about eco-friendly steps they can take to protect the plants of the Southwest.
Pinnacle Peak Park, Scottsdale
Not your average hiking trail! With features such as interpretive tours, moonlight walks and educational walks discussing astronomy and more, the hike up Pinnacle Peak offers much more of an insight to Scottsdale than your average outdoor excursion.
Cuisine and Culture
With a rich culture steeped in the Wild West, Mexican diaspora and indigenous people, the food in Phoenix reflects the diversity and history of the region. When visiting Phoenix and Scottsdale, be sure to seek out some culinary staples that will connect you to the land and its people.
Fry Bread House, Phoenix
Established by Cecelia Miller of the Tohono O’odham community in Phoenix, Miller decided there was a need for a public restaurant that serves Indian fare. With recipes passed down to her for generations as well as an influence from the proximity to the Mexican border, The Fry Bread House (FBH) has maintained tradition while embracing fusion. The Tohono O’odham people are famous for their red chili and fry bread, yet other cultural influences of Arizona such as Mexican tamales appear on the menu as well. Miller’s vision for FBH is to bring indigenous culture and cuisine to Indian communities and non-Indian communities in Phoenix.
The Mission, Old Town Scottsdale
With an innovative approach to Latin cuisine, Chef Matt Carter is the visionary behind a fusion of Spanish, Mexican, Central American and South American cuisine. Fresh ingredients are crucial to the bright and modern menu – all sauces and salsas are made daily and meats are prepared using traditional techniques such as a Plancha or grilling over mesquite wood. Celebrating the heavy influence of Hispanic culture in Arizona, the elevated Latin classics are sure to delight and represent Arizona.
This article appears in the November 2023 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
