CENTRAL ARIZONA
VisitMesa.com; @VisitMesa—Set between Phoenix and the Sonoran Desert, Mesa offers limitless possibilities, says David Kolozar, managing director of national sales for Visit Mesa. “Mesa boasts incredible outdoor adventures and water recreation on four lakes and two rivers. In downtown, visitors can explore unique museums, a one-of-a-kind arts center, and the iconic ‘art walk,’ a collection of murals and sculptures. Food lovers can enjoy award-winning breweries, cideries, and diverse dining, including Arizona’s largest Asian District, home to more than 100 restaurants and shops. Whether seeking adventure, culture, or culinary delights, Mesa has something for everyone.”
As the first Autism Certified City, certified by IBCCES (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards) in 2019, Mesa offers a guided visual interpretation service. Mesa was also the first city to receive a Destination Verified Seal from Wheel the World, an online booking platform for travelers with disabilities.
Located in the city’s original post office, The Post special event venue offers 5,750 square feet of open space and conference rooms. The Post’s new outdoor Neon Garden features historic neon signs, which once lined Mesa’s downtown. Revel Surf at Cannon Beach opened in late 2024 with a surf shop, gym, and surfing lagoon. Other amenities, including restaurants, retail, hotels, and entertainment, are planned.
Top meeting and event facilities include the 180-room Sheraton Mesa Hotel at Wrigleyville West, with 20,888 square feet of meeting space. Named for MLB’s Chicago Cubs’ home field and situated between the team’s spring-training stadium at Sloan Park and Mesa Riverfront Park, the hotel is within walking distance of parks, shopping, entertainment, and dining. Near Hohokam Stadium, the spring-training site for the A’s, the 274-room Delta Hotels Phoenix Mesa features a 9,000-square-foot ballroom. The hotel is adjacent to Mesa Convention Center, with nearly 40,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space, including a 19,000-square-foot main exhibit hall and 5,000-seat outdoor amphitheater. Combined, the hotel and convention center offer 26 breakout rooms. The 266-room DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix Mesa has 23,077 square feet of function space with a ballroom accommodating up to 1,000 people for receptions. Mesa has 5,225 guest rooms in more than 60 properties.
Planners seeking fun group activities will have no problem in Mesa, says Kolozar. “A unique experience in the Sonoran Desert is kayaking or paddleboarding along the Salt River, where you might catch a glimpse of wild horses roaming near the water’s edge. Usery Mountain Regional Park shares an expansive border with Tonto National Forest and is one of the best places in the valley to see a wide variety of desert flora, and the iconic Wind Cave Trail offers sweeping views of the city and the skyline.” Downtown Mesa is a hub for arts, culture, and local tastes, he adds. “We have a fabulous local brewery scene and award-winning restaurants, including Espiritu, owned by Chopped winner and James Beard nominee Roberto Centeno; Cider Corps, Arizona’s first veteran-owned cidery, which was named one of USA Today’s 10 Best Cideries in the United States in 2023; and Worth Takeaway, a local sandwich shop on Yelp’s Top 100 in 2024.” Museums include Arizona Museum of Natural History, idea Museum, and Mesa Arts Center, which features exhibits, special programming, and event space, including four theaters, a tiered lecture hall, classrooms, and galleries.
