EVERY DAY,WE’RE BOMBARDEDWITHCOMMUNICATIONS frommultiple sources: the Internet, Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, RSS feeds…the list goes on and on. Likeme, I’msure thatmany of you have worked with someone frequently but never actually heard their voice and definitely wouldn’t recognize themon the street, because you’ve never met. It seems that now is the time to refocus our energy on making those
personal connections.While there is value in quick e-mail dialogues, in-person collaboration—brainstorming together about solutions to challenges and new business opportunities—yields the best ideas. And the most solid partnerships are based on a history of good rela- tionships and trust. Those ideas and connections are best reached whenwe’rein touch—facetoface. A new campaign that promotes the benefits of meeting face-to-face,
called “Face Time. ItMatters.,” has been developed under the auspices of the Convention Industry Council (CIC). TheWestern Association of Convention &Visitors Bureaus (WACVB) is promoting this campaign on itsWeb site,www.wacvb.com. We hope you will use thisWestern Destinations Guide to help you
plan your next meeting in an environment that never ceases to inspire. Whether you choose to meet in the desert, the mountains, or near the beach, there are state-of-the-art facilities in theWest to fit every need. In addition to open skies and a diverse climate, theWest will attract attendees with our endless array of arts and culture, outdoor recre- ation, sporting events, fine dining and local cuisine, and diverse down- town districts. In this guide, you’ll find contact information for members of
WACVB. These expert destination professionals are ready to help you plan meetings of all sizes, froma board meeting, to an educational conference, to an annual corporate gathering. Their knowledge of their destination and venues will ensure that your attendees will enjoy both a successfulmeeting and amemorable trip. Let awestern destination entice, energize, and excite you! I look forward to meeting you“face to face.”
Stephanie Nowack President of the Board of Directors WACVB President/CEO Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau
ORGAN FLOWERS: BEN CHRISMAN; THE BUTTES MARRIOTT: TEMPE CVB; BIG SUR COASTLINE: MONTEREY COUNTY CVB; RAFTING THE MAIN PAYETTE NEAR BOISE: CASCADE RECREATION/BOISE CVB; PHOENIX SKYLINE: SHERATON PHOENIX DOWNTOWN HOTEL; THE CALVIN L. RAMPTON SALT PALACE CONVENTION CENTER: STEVE GREENWOOD