The Arizona chapter of SITE (Society of Incentive Travel Executives) will be hosting it's annual "Hot Times" end of summer fam (familiarization) trip September 10-13, in Phoenix (metro) and Tucson.
The board of the Arizona Chapter hosts this meeting every year, inviting incentive and corporate meeting planners as well as "third party" travel agents, incentive companies and other qualified buyers to highlight Arizona as a destination, its wide variety of hotels, off-property venues and other special event related vendors. This year the host hotels are the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa and the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort and Spa in Tucson.
Potential buyers have a full schedule packed with breakfast lunch and dinner, sampling the dining options at numerous resorts, hotels and popular restaurants and nightspots in both cities along with exciting activities including auto racing at Bondurant School of Racing, touring the Desert Botanical Gardens, and even a tour and lunch at an exclusive and private Scottsdale estate.
"Hot Times" is unique in that it is solely supported, from meals and activities to amenities and gifts, by the local members of the chapter. Local resorts, restaurants and vendors of all types make a significant investment in this special event in an effort to showcase Arizona as a destination, demonstrate the state's competitiveness as a resort and business destination and, hopefully, in these difficult times to entice meeting and event planners to plan their next meeting in Arizona.
This year's chairperson, Stefanie Lerner, of Encore Creative, along with President of the Board, Heather Husom, have created the itinerary, helped to qualify the attendees and have worked tirelessly to insure a successful three day showcase of all of Arizona from a special events and corporate business meeting perspective. According to Stefanie Lerner, "Even in a down economy, the interest in our destination has been great, there has been an abundance of sponsors from local vendors and in spite of the negative headlines in the newspapers, it would appear that it's business as usual".
Although business levels across the country, particularly in the hospitality and airline industries continue to strain under the weight of the economy as well as the negative press the industry has received, Arizona remains a vital market, with committed and high quality vendors who have made their livings in the industry, as an adjunct to the hospitality industry for many years. This continued dedication and participation (not to mention a significant investment) and the support of professional trade organizations such as SITE, ISES, MPI, and others bring a measure of hope to the local special events industry with 2010 being the major target for a defined upswing in business and renewed profitability.
For more info: jlowy@encorecreative.com
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