Your Next Meeting & Event Destination: Scottsdale, AZ

sunlight pass through cactus during golden hour

1. Overview for visitors

Scottsdale, Arizona has top-tier accommodations, easy access to convention centers, plenty of unique venues, and convenient transportation around the city or to and from the airport. Best of all, the year-round sunshine and access to the Sonoran Desert—the wettest desert in the world—will give your event attendees plenty to experience and enjoy.

Scottsdale is one of the popular ‘snowbird’ destinations for corporate groups looking for a memorable and elevated experience. Corporate groups enjoy the resorts and hotels, golf, desert exploration, food, and more. The best time to visit Scottsdale is March to April in spring and October to November in fall when temperatures are pleasant for outdoor activities.


2. Meeting & Event Details

Scottsdale is a city with a rich combination of exotic and beautiful nature, a variety of arts, and a ton of activities from outdoor adventures to luxury spas and more! All these factors make it a great option for organizers who want to attract a wide range of age groups, as well as event attendees with diverse interests.

silhouette of cactus during sunset
While Scottsdale doesn’t have its own convention center, the Phoenix Convention Center is conveniently located less than 30 minutes away by car. Even so, it’s far from the only event venue option! Scottsdale has a number of wonderful unique venues including the Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts; Boojum Tree Hidden Garden, perfect for an outdoor event; Taliesin West, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was the winter home and desert laboratory of renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright; and Odysea Aquarium.
Find more information on these unique venues below!

3. Pre/Post Event Activities

As home of the Scottsdale Art Festival, one of the top art fairs in the U.S., Scottsdale is a city steeped in art. Visitors can tour the Scottsdale Art District by foot and stop by one of the many open galleries during the weekly ArtWalk on Thursday nights. It’s also equally enjoyable to stroll around Old Town Scottsdale and shop!

low angle photography of balloons
As for outdoor activities, one of Scottsdale’s most popular and unique advantages is the opportunity to explore the Sonoran Desert. Aside from hiking, there are also Jeep desert tours, horseback riding activities, hot air balloon rides, and even chances to enjoy water sports in one of the many lakes and rivers.

4. Accessibility

Airport
Scottsdale is served by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the largest airport in Arizona. Located about seven miles from the city, transportation to and from the airport is available in the form of taxis, shuttle services, and public transportation. Visitors can also take the PHX Sky Train between the Valley Metro Rail at 44th and Washington, the East Economy Parking area, and airport terminals.

man sitting on gang chair with feet on luggage looking at airplane
Public Transportation
Scottsdale’s four trolley routes provide an easy way for visitors to travel around town. It connects to the Valley Metro, the public transit system for the Phoenix metro area that provides bus service between Scottsdale and other Valley communities, allowing convenient access to the Phoenix metro area. Best of all, the trolleys are free to ride!

5. Impact of Coronavirus

Impact of COVID-19 (as of November 1, 2020)
blue and brown round ornament

Travel Restrictions:
As of November 1, 2020 there are no travel restrictions in place. For the latest updates, check out https://tourism.az.gov/covid-19-updates-2/

Face Masks:
Face masks are required in all public places in Maricopa County, including hotels, restaurants, retail stores, attractions, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. For a full list of guidelines, check out https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/61311/Regulations-on-Face-Coverings

Public Transportation:
Valley Metro updates are available at https://www.valleymetro.org/news/covid-19-updates-face-coverings-required

Other:
For a full update on what business types are currently open including retail, restaurants, hotels, and local attractions, check out https://www.experiencescottsdale.com/health-safety-protocols/whats-open-whats-closed/

For a look at the guidelines each business type is adhering to, please visit https://www.experiencescottsdale.com/health-safety-protocols/local-business-safety-protocols/

*The contents of this feature were based on the following sources:
https://www.experiencescottsdale.com/
https://www.visitarizona.com/places/cities/scottsdale/