by Matt Connelly, Group Sales Manager

At the Tempe Tourism Office, the group sales team strives to connect meeting planners to the ideal property for their conference attendees. In addition, we can curate an ideal selection of venues and activities that will allow the attendees to truly experience the vibrant community that is Tempe. What’s the best way to find out if Tempe is the right fit for your next event? In person, of course, during a site inspection with one of the Tempe Tourism Office sales managers.

If you visit Tempe for a site inspection for an upcoming meeting, we will provide you with a closer look at venues that fit your specifications, a little Tempe history and some delicious food. While we create a connection to our city, we’ll have some fun in the process while getting work done and seeing a few saguaro cacti along the way.

Once we have all the details of your RFP and what you need to make your meeting successful, we will create a customized site inspection experience. We will arrange tours at properties that are best suited for your program. Prior to the site, the key contacts will be given the details so they can address and demonstrate how their facility would suit your needs.  Our community partners will do all they can to make your site inspection experience both memorable and meaningful. This ensures the most efficient use of your time because, as we all know, a planner’s work is never done.

We know Tempe like the back of our hand, so we can answer any questions that you might have about the distance between the airport and your hotel, the easiest transportation options for attendees and what can be experienced in our city once the meeting is over. From a free contemporary art museum on the ASU Tempe Campus to hiking trails to hidden gem local coffee shops, Tempe has something for everyone.

The Tempe Tourism Office can assist with transportation and lodging costs for qualified planners. Did you know that getting to Tempe is easy with direct flights to PHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport? Flights to and from PHX travel to 80 domestic and 20 international destinations. The airport is four miles from Downtown Tempe or just a 10-minute drive. You can get to Tempe via Valley Metro Rail, cab, Uber, Lyft or a free shuttle offered by many of our hotels.

There’s no need to worry about getting around our city on your own. During your site inspection, our team will drive you to each property.  We will also guide you as to what eateries, shops and attractions are close to each unique Tempe hotel. And, based on your group’s preference for food and beverage options, we will take you to sample the delicious eateries that make Tempe a memorable dining destination. You’ll have lots to choose from, including breweries, fine dining and a wide range of globally influenced cuisine from Thai to Mexican to Indian food.

Tempe is a vibrant desert city with easy access to outdoor adventures.  “A” Mountain is located in the heart of Downtown Tempe, making it easy to take a quick desert hike. Tempe Town Lake is located at the northern end of downtown and is a popular place for kayaking, paddle boarding and other activities. You can also rent a bike and traverse the trails at Papago Park, a desert preserve. The lake, desert hiking and miles of running and cycling trails makes Tempe an easy place for your attendees to keep up with their fitness regime while they’re in town. Attendees who are active are more engaged during their sessions so we can help you with extras for your meeting agenda like morning hikes, suggested running trails and yoga classes.

In addition to traditional hotel meeting spaces, our city has a variety of unique offsite venues that can make for a memorable event. Tempe Center for the Arts, ASU Art Museum, Desert Botanical Garden, the Showcase Room and the historic Eisendrath Center for Water Conservation are just a few venues that can make for a memorable setting for dinner, an awards ceremony or an executive session.

If you are looking for a CSR (corporate social responsibility) activity during your time in Tempe, we will connect you with a local organization that could benefit from your volunteer efforts and directly impact those in need.

In addition, the Tempe Tourism Office can provide welcome bags for attendees with information about our city to help them acclimate to their new meeting destination. And, because many attendees will want to extend their stay so they can see more of Tempe and other Arizona destinations, we can provide itineraries that will make for a memorable experience for all.

Contact our group sales team today and talk to us about your upcoming meeting needs. We look forward to welcoming you to the city of Tempe!