Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/61584
MEETING, INCENTIVES & TRAVELING IN THE WEST BY MICHAEL BENNETT Our history books reveal the wonder and amazement of early explorers as they journeyed deeper and deeper into what is now the American west. No previous exploration of America could have prepared them for places of such natural beauty. From the towering snow capped RockyMountains to the deep gorges of the Grand Canyon to the majestic Pacific Coast, the contrast from other parts of the new republic was equally stark and welcoming. It's that great outdoors and love of wide-open spaces that make our western states a much sought after destination for tourists and group gatherings. All destinations featured below have state-of-the-art meeting and convention facilities and all the amenities of city life such as restau- rants, shopping, spas and nightlife, plus the convenience of escaping from it all in a matter of minutes. Visitors to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Denver, Santa Fe or Seattle can find themselves snow skiing, kayaking, hiking, biking, golfing or simply enjoy- ing the sounds of nature in an hour. From the busy streets of Houston, Honolulu or San Diego, the nearest beach takes just a couple of minutes. Phoenix, Albuquerque and Flagstaff to the nearest Indian Reservation is literally right around the corner. Come west — all visi- tors' welcome. Arizona is a mix of cosmopolitan adventure and breath- ARIZONA taking scenery starting with the 277-mile longGrand Canyon —the world's largest land gorge. From the Red Buttes and Mesa's of Monument Valley, to the magnificent Hoover Dam, to the wonderful imagery of PaintedDesert and theRedRocks near Sedona, the kaleido- scopes of colors leave visitors awe struck. Nestled in the world's largest ponderosa pine forest sits Flagstaff, a year-round outdoor playground featuring skiing, snowboarding, hiking,mountain biking, river rafting and rock climbing. Mesa, Scottsdale and Tempe — suburbs of Phoenix are equal parts chic and rustic with a blend of upscale shopping, spas, dining, a collection of golf courses, outdoor activities, 40 nightlife, and art with a unique southwestern flair. Tucson is a thriving visual and performing arts destination with numerous galleries and museums. PHOENIX America's sixth largest city and sunniest metropolis is a sports lover's paradise. The city is represented in all three major sports. It's the spring training home for several major league baseball teams, college football's annual Fiesta Bowl, a frequent host of the Super Bowl and home to two-thirds of the state's 300 golf courses. The Phoenix Convention Center recently completed a $600 million expansion increasing its size to 900,000 sq. ft. The facility is surrounded by brand name hotel properties including, a 693-room Hyatt Regency across the street. Bronzeville Museum, Chicago Black Meetings & Tourism March/April 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com