Top Valley venues, hotels and unique ideas for holding the best meetings and conventions here
THE DESERT IS HOT
Absolutely igniting.
Whether you’re looking to spark innovation and blue-sky thinking at intimate board retreats or to invigorate an entire industry at a large conference, Scottsdale offers distinctive, exceptionally functional meeting venues. And, when you step outside those venues into Scottsdale’s refined desert environment and year-round sunshine, the real inspiration happens.
Meetings & Conventions Means Meeting People: Handshakes Speak for You
Some handshakes will hurt your in uence
by Stacey Hanke
Have you ever wondered what your handshake says about you? Your handshake is like your business card. It conveys your confidence, credibility and influence without a single word being spoken. Studies have shown this one simple gesture can enhance a social situation and make a positive impact on others.
In our culture, a handshake accompanies almost every introduction and initiates many conversations. It sets the tone for new relationships by signaling others of your integrity. People often admit to judging others based on this small gesture. Because of this, The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology encourages everyone to pay attention to their handshake as it has found significant consistencies in a firm handshake and a positive first impression.
Make a great first impression by considering your handshake and what it says about you, and avoid these eight types of handshakes that will hurt your influence with others:
Dead Fish — Also known as the limp noodle, this handshake conveys weakness and uncertainty. It gives people the impression
About Our Guide
you have a passive personality and can be easily overrun. Don’t use this handshake even when tempted to be gentle with a person due to age or gender.
Hand Crusher — Want someone to forget your name immediately? Squeeze their hand with constant force. They’ll be so distracted by the pain that they’ll tune out anything you say. This type of handshake diminishes trust others are willing to place in you. It sends the message you’re trying too hard, and people will likely question what you say after that.
Long Lingerer — Few things can make a handshake recipient more uncomfortable than someone who won’t let go of their hand. Handshakes should be no more than two seconds in length. Anything longer begins to cross personal boundaries and feels like a desperate invasion of space.
Hip Hipster — First bumps and fancy handshakes have their place — with friends and family. They have no business in the workplace. They reflect a lack of awareness and a need to be revered as “cool” not credible. Images of frat boys
We hope you will enjoy this comprehensive compilation of the Valley’s top sites for business events, conventions and meetings. Our Valley is home to some of the best properties, with state-of-the-art technology and facilities to ensure the success of your next great event. In Business Magazine has compiled this guide so companies can compare amenities and make choices for their local events. This guide will be online at www.inbusinessphx.com for a full year.
and football parties come to mind instead of experienced professional.
Brush Off — A handshake is intended to kick-start a meaningful connection. When shaking someone’s hand, be deliberate with your eye contact and don’t rush the exchange. Nothing makes someone feel like they’re unimportant or being blown off quite like shaking hands with a person in a rush or looking around at others.
Wet Weasel — We all get nervous and have anxiety before big meetings or introductions. It’s natural. What isn’t natural, however, is the feeling of contacting someone’s sweaty palms. So, if you know you are likely to have unusually wet palms, carry a handkerchief in your pocket to use just before an introduction. Also, you can wash your hands with cold water to help keep them cool under pressure.
Hand Hugger — We’ve all shaken hands with someone who uses both of theirs to embrace ours both top and bottom. While this is perfectly normal in a personal situation with friends and family, it’s out of place in a professional setting. You can convey a message of warmth with your eyes, smile and choice of words. There is no need to embrace someone’s hand in such a personal manner.
Shugger — This is a handshake that pulls the receiver closer to you physically, almost as if you were going to hug the other person. It forces that person to come closer as your hand stays closely tucked into your body. While this type of handshake is common among friendly colleagues and peers, it sends a message of favoritism to those on the outside looking in. Remember your handshake conveys a message to everyone, not just the person with whose hand you’re shaking.
Perfecting the Perfect Handshake
Practice the perfect handshake first by seeking feedback on yours. Ask someone you trust to help identify areas of opportunity. Then practice it on others to solicit feedback and more guidance until you’ve mastered the art. Some keys to the perfect handshake:
• Anticipate the handshake. Ensure your hand is free, out of your pocket and not holding onto any items. Switching hands to shake is distracting and awkward.
• Use your right hand. Even if you’re a leftie, our culture dictates right-handed handshakes as key.
• Maintain a strong, confident posture. Remain upright and refrain from leaning. If necessary, take a step toward the person with whom you’re greeting. If you’re seated upon meeting someone, stand up before shaking their hand. This signifies respect to the person you’re meeting.
• Make intentional eye contact as you greet the other person. Once your hand makes a connection, ensure your eyes connect, too. Use a kind greeting such as “nice to meet you” or “great to see you again.” Incorporate their name with your greeting to help better solidify your introduction. This interaction trifecta will warm up anyone with whom you connect.
• Remain firm throughout the handshake. Grasp the other person’s hand with a firm grip without squeezing. Maintain the grip for two seconds before releasing. Don’t allow your hand to fall limp upon the initial grip.
• Shake from your elbow, not your wrist. Two or three pumps will do. Any more and your partner will begin to feel uncomfortable.
You want to be so confident in your handshake style that it is second nature. Seeking feedback and frequent practice will help solidify your good habits, so you can concentrate more on meeting the person and less on the impression you’re making. The more comfortable you become, the more confidence you’ll convey.
Stacey Hanke is the founder and communication expert of Stacey Hanke Inc. (staceyhankeinc.com). She is the author of Influence Redefined: Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be, Monday to Monday and Yes You Can! Everything You Need From A to Z to Influence Others to Take Action. Hanke and her team have delivered thousands of presentations and workshops for leaders of Fortune 500 companies, including Coca-Cola, Nationwide, FedEx, Kohl’s and AbbVie.
How High-Performance Organizations Make Meetings Effective
Tip 1: Set clear expectations for all meetings.
Meeting norms, ground rules, guidelines — these set the foundation for building an effective meeting habit. They often include things like use of an agenda and keeping meetings on time. Whatever your rules, the leadership team must follow them. The way the leadership group meets sets the real standard everyone else follows.
J. Elise Keith, co-founder of Lucid Meetings (www.lucidmeetings.com) and author of Where the Action Is: The Meetings That Make or Break Your Organization
Conference Centers
Black Canyon Conference Center 9440 N. 25th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85021 (602) 944-0569
blackcanyonconferencecenter.com
Desert Willow Conference Center
4340 E. Cotton Center Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85040 (602) 431-0001
desertwillowconferencecenter.com
Poco Diablo Resort & Conference Center
1752 Arizona 179 Sedona, AZ 86336 (928) 282-7333 pocodiablo.com
Glendale Civic Center 5750 W. Glenn Dr. Glendale, AZ 85301 (623) 930-4300 glendaleciviccenter.com
Mesa Convention Center
263 N. Center St. Mesa, AZ 85201 (480) 644-2178 mesaconventioncenter.com
Phoenix Convention Center 100 N. 3rd St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 262-6225 phoenixconventioncenter.com
Convention & Visitors Bureaus
Experience Scottsdale
4343 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 70 Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 421-1004 experiencescottsdale.com
Glendale Convention & Visitors Bureau 9494 W. Maryland Ave., Third Floor Glendale, AZ 85305 (623) 930-4500 visitglendale.com
Tempe Tourism Office 222 S. Mill Avenue, Suite 120 Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 894-8158 tempetourism.com
Hotels
Camby Hotel 2401 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 468-0700
Doubletree by Hilton Chandler 7475 W. Chandler Blvd. Chandler, AZ 85226 (480) 961-4444 chandlersouthgatehotel.com
Courtyard Scottsdale Old Town 3311 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85250 (480) 429-7785 marriott.com
Crowne Plaza Hotel Phoenix –Airport 4300 E. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85034 (602) 273-7778 crowneplazaphx.com
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Phoenix Tempe 2100 S. Priest Dr. Tempe, AZ 85282 (480) 967-1441 hilton.com
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Phoenix 320 N. 44th St. Phoenix, AZ 85008 (602) 225-0500 doubletreephoenix.com
Hotels (con’t)
Chaparral Suites Hotel Scottsdale 5001 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85250 (480) 949-1414 chaparralsuites.com
Four Points by Sheraton North 2532 W. Peoria Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85029 (602) 943-2341 four-points.marriott.com
Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Biltmore
2630 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 955-3992 hilton.com
Embassy Suites Hotel PhoenixTempe 4400 S. Rural Rd. Tempe, AZ 85282 (480) 897-7444 hilton.com
Hilton Phoenix/Mesa 1011 W. Holmes Ave. Mesa, AZ 85210 (480) 833-5555 hilton.com
Hotel Palomar Phoenix, A Kimpton Hotel
2 E. Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 253-6633 hotelpalomar-phoenix.com
Hotels (con’t)
Hotel San Carlos 202 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 253-4121 hotelsancarlos.com
Hotel Valley Ho 6850 E. Main St. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 376-2600 hotelvalleyho.com
Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU 7 E. University Dr. Tempe, AZ 85281 (602) 794-8600 omnihotels.com/hotels/tempe-asu
How High-Performance Organizations Make Meetings Effective
Tip 2: Document and share meeting results.
Fear of missing out (FOMO) compels people to attend meetings they shouldn’t. Organizers don’t want to leave people out, so they invite everyone who might possibly want to weigh in. Having irrelevant people in the room de-energizes the conversation and disrupts productivity.
Documented meeting results are the fastest and easiest way to combat meeting FOMO. Before the meeting, clearly document the meeting purpose and desired outcomes. After the meeting, send
out written meeting results. When people can see in advance what a meeting is for, then see afterwards what happened, they can decide whether they need to attend. This keeps meetings more focused, and it keeps everyone more productive. —J. Elise Keith, co-founder of Lucid Meetings (www.lucidmeetings.com) and author of Where the Action Is
Hotels (con’t)
Scottsdale Marriott Suites Old Town
7325 E. 3rd Ave. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 945-1550
marriott.com
Sheraton Crescent Hotel
2620 W. Dunlap Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85021 (602) 943-8200 sheratoncrescent.com
Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel – Tempe 1600 S. 52nd St. Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 967-6600 sheratonphoenixairport.com
Sheraton Grand Phoenix
340 N. 3rd St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 262-2500 sheratonphoenixdowntown.com
Windemere Hotel & Conference Center
5750 E. Main St. Mesa, AZ 85205 (480) 985-3600 windemerehotelmesa.com
Wyndham Garden Phoenix Midtown 3600 N. 2nd Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85013 (602) 604-4900 wyndhamhotels.com
Resorts
Adero Scottsdale Resort 13225 N. Eagle Ridge Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85268 (480) 333-1900 aderoscottsdale.com
Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort 2400 E. Missouri Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 955-6600 arizonabiltmore.com
Arizona Golf Resort & Conference Center
425 S. Power Rd. Mesa, AZ 85206 (480) 832-3202 arizonagolfresort.com
Resorts (con’t)
Arizona Grand Resort & Spa 8000 Arizona Grand Pkwy. Phoenix, AZ 85044 (602) 438-9000 arizonagrandresort.com
Civana Carefree 37220 N. Mule Train Rd. Carefree, AZ 85377 (480) 653-9000 civanacarefree.com
Crowne Plaza Phoenix Chandler Golf Resort 1 N. San Marcos Pl. Chandler, AZ 85225 (480) 812-0900 sanmarcosresort.com
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Paradise Valley Scottsdale 5401 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85250 (480) 947-5400 hilton.com
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess 7575 E. Princess Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85255 (480) 585-4848 fairmont.com/scottsdale
FireSky Resort & Spa 4925 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 945-7666 fireskyresort.com
Found:RE Hotel Phoenix 1100 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85003 (602) 875-8000 foundrehotels.com
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
10600 E. Crescent Moon Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85262 (480) 515-5700 fourseasons.com/scottsdale
The Global Ambassador Hotel 4360 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018 (480) 800-2211 globalambassadorhotel.com
Grand Canyon Squire Inn 74 Arizona 64 Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023 (928) 638-2681 grandcanyonsquire.com
Resorts (con’t)
Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel & Casino 15406 N. Maricopa Rd. Maricopa, AZ 85139 (480) 802-5000 caesars.com/harrahs-ak-chin
The Hermosa Inn 5532 N. Palo Cristi Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85253 (602) 955-8614 hermosainn.com
Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas
6333 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85250 (480) 948-7750 hilton.com
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch
7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85258 (480) 444-1234 hyatt.com
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa 5350 Marriott Dr. Phoenix, AZ 85054 (480) 293-5000 marriott.com
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa 5402 E. Lincoln Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85253 (480) 948-1700 marriott.com
Resorts (con’t)
The Legacy Golf Resort 6808 S. 32nd St. Phoenix, AZ 85042 (602) 305-5500 golflegacyresort.com
The McCormick Scottsdale 7401 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85253 (480) 948-5050 millenniumhotels.com
Shadows
E. Lincoln Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85253 (480) 624-5400
Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia 4949 E. Lincoln Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85253 (480) 627-3200 omnihotels.com/hotels/scottsdalemontelucia
10601 N. 56th St. Scottsdale, AZ 85254 (480) 948-6100
The Phoenician Scottsdale 6000 E. Camelback Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 941-8200
How High-Performance Organizations Make Meetings Effective
Tip 3: Define ‘The Way’ to meet for all core processes.
There are 16 different types of business meetings, and each has a purpose. A regular team meeting is good for confirming progress and identifying problems, but it’s a lousy place to make a big decision. Big decisions demand a dedicated decision-making meeting. Similarly, the initial meeting with a prospective client (or funder) should look very different from the meeting where you ink the deal. Each of these pivotal meetings can be optimized to drive the results your company needs.
High-performance organizations know the type of meetings they need to run and how to run each one well. Each meeting gets a name and becomes “the way” that kind of work gets done. For example, the team’s check-in meeting becomes “the huddle.” The meeting to impress prospective clients early in the sales cycle becomes a “services briefing.” Anything called simply a “meeting” isn’t specific enough. —J. Elise Keith, co-founder of Lucid Meetings (www.lucidmeetings.com) and author of Where the Action Is
Resorts (con’t)
Phoenix Marriott Resort Tempe at The Buttes
2000 W. Westcourt Way Tempe, AZ 85282 (602) 225-9000 marriott.com
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort 7677 N. 16th St. Phoenix, AZ 85020 (602) 997-2626 squawpeakhilton.com
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort 11111 N. 7th St. Phoenix, AZ 85020 (602) 866-7500 tapatiocliffshilton.com
Rise Uptown Hotel
400 W. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85013 (480) 536-8900 riseuptownhotel.com
The Ritz-Carlton – Paradise Valley 7000 E. Lincoln Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85253 (602) 922-2900
ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/arizona/ paradise-valley
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa
5700 E. McDonald Dr. Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 (480)607-2350 sanctuaryoncamelback.com
Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains 16770 N. Perimeter Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (480) 502-3836 marriott.com
The Scottsdale Plaza Resort 7200 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85253 (480) 948-5000
scottsdaleplaza.com
The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch 7700 E. McCormick Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85258 (480) 991-9000 hilton.com
Resorts (con’t)
Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Rd. Chandler, AZ 85226 (602) 225-0100 wildhorsepassresort.com
Sonesta Suites Scottsdale Gainey Ranch
7300 E. Gainey Suites Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85258 (480)367-4616 sonesta.com
Talking Stick Resort 9800 E. Indian Bend Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85256 (480) 850-7777 talkingstickresort.com
Tempe Mission Palms, A Destination Hotel 60 E. 5th St. Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 894-1400 missionpalms.com
W Scottsdale 7277 E. Camelback Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 970-2100 wscottsdalehotel.com
We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center
10438 N. Fort McDowell Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85264 (480) 789-5300 wekoparesort.com
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa 6902 E. Greenway Pkwy. Scottsdale, AZ 85254 (480) 624-1000 kierlandresort.com
The Westin Tempe 11 E. 7th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 (480) 968-8885 marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ phxwt-the-westin-tempe
The Wigwam Resort & Golf Club 300 E. Wigwam Ln. Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 (623) 935-3811 wigwamarizona.com
Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd. Chandler, AZ 85226 (520)796-4923 wildhorsepass.com
Special Event Venues
Az Ice Arcadia 3853 E. Thomas Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018 (602) 957-9966 arcadiaice.com
Arizona Center
400 E. Van Buren St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 271-4000 arizonacenter.com
Arizona Science Center
600 E. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 716-2000 azscience.org
Bentley Gallery
215 E. Grant St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 340-9200
bentleygallery.com
Boojum Tree 16026 N. 36th St. Phoenix, AZ 85032 (602) 867-8975 boojumtree.com
Castles ‘n’ Coasters 9445 N. Metro Pkwy. E. Phoenix, AZ 85051 (602) 997-7575 castlesncoasters.com
Chase Field
401 E. Jefferson St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (480) 339-5000
azchasefield.com
Special Event Venues (con’t)
Children’s Museum of Phoenix 215 N. 7th St. Phoenix, AZ 85034 (602) 253-0501 childrensmuseumofphoenix.org
Arizona Financial Theatre
400 W. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85003 (602) 379-2800 livenation.com
The Croft Downtown Phoenix 22 E. Buchman St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 462-970 thecroftdowntown.com n/a
Cutler-Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center
122 E. Culver St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 241-7870 azjhs.org
Desert Botanical Garden 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy. Phoenix, AZ 85008 (480) 941-1225 dbg.org
Enchanted Island Amusement Park 1202 W. Encanto Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 254-1200 enchantedisland.com
Franciscan Renewal Center 5802 E. Lincoln Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85253 (480) 948-7460 thecasa.org
How High-Performance Organizations Make Meetings Effective
Tip 4: Train everyone.
Leaders spend up to 80 percent of their workday in meetings, yet many have never received meeting training. Meetings aren’t just conversations with a lot of people; there are skills and techniques to learn that radically improve meeting results.
High-performance organizations provide skills training to people leading meetings. They also train everyone how to
participate in the meetings, defined as “the way” to get their job done. Meetings represent an enormous salary investment, and high-performance organizations ensure their people get a good return on that investment. —J. Elise Keith, co-founder of Lucid Meetings (www.lucidmeetings.com) and author of Where the Action Is
Special Event Venues (con’t)
Heard Museum 2301 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 252-8840 heard.org
Herberger Theater Center 222 E. Monroe St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 254-7399 herbergertheater.org
K1 Speed
2425 S. 21st St. Phoenix, AZ 85034 (602) 275-5278 k1speed.com/phoenix-location.html
MonOrchid
214 E. Roosevelt St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 253-0339 monorchid.com
Musical Instrument Museum 4725 E. Mayo Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85050 (480) 478-6000 mim.org
The Penske Racing Museum 7125 E. Chauncey Ln. Phoenix, AZ 85054 (480) 538-4444 penskeracingmuseum.com
Phoenix Art Museum 1625 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 257-1222 phxart.org
Phoenix Zoo
455 N. Galvin Pkwy. Phoenix, AZ 85008 (602) 286-3800 phoenixzoo.org
Rawhide 5700 W. North Loop Rd. Chandler, AZ 85226 (480) 502-5600 rawhide.com
Special Event Venues (con’t)
Rio Salado Audubon Center 3131 S. Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85040 (602) 468-6470 riosalado.audubon.org
Rise Uptown Hotel
400 W. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85013 (480) 536-8900 riseuptownhotel.com
The Ritz-Carlton – Paradise Valley
7000 E. Lincoln Blvd. Scottsdale, AZ 85253 (602) 922-2900 ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/arizona/ paradise-valley
Secret Garden 2501 E. Baseline Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85042 (602) 268-5522 secretgardenevents.com
Stand Up Live
50 W. Jefferson St., Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85003 (480) 719-6100 phoenix.standuplive.com
University of Arizona College of Medicine 550 E. Van Buren St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 827-2002 phoenixmed.arizona.edu
Valley Youth Theatre 525 N. 1st St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 253-8188 vyt.com
Venue at the Grove 7010 S. 27th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85041 (602) 456-0803 venueatthegrove.com
The Wrigley Mansion 2501 E. Telawa Trail Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 955-4079 wrigleymansionclub.com
