Welcome to the premiere issue of Convention Southwest! The idea behind a magazine resource for meetings and events in Southwestern host destinations was born from the success of ConventionSouth magazine, the award-winning publication dedicated to event planning in 16 Southern states and Washington, D.C., for more than 40 years. Meeting professionals throughout the country trust ConventionSouth as the industry standard, go-to guide for vital information on venues, trends, news, and influential leaders impacting meetings and events in the South. Now, as planners explore new locales to offer attendees exciting event experiences beyond the South, Convention Southwest is the resource for organizing and hosting meetings and events in the Southwest. The magazine features the same industry insights, information, and inspiration for planning events in its targeted coverage area of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
While Convention Southwest magazine is new, the team behind it is not. John MacPherson, Tiffany Burtnett, Blair Adams, and I have worked together, in some respect, for years. We are excited to come together to create this new planning resource. Convention Southwest is published quarterly, with future issues distributed in June, September, and November. Each issue includes industry news and trends; Event Planners’ Guides highlighting meeting venues, accommodations, activities, and attractions in select host destinations; and feature stories to help planners organize events that will educate, engage, and energize attendees!
This inaugural issue includes Event Planners’ Guides to Nevada and New Mexico. Whether you are considering a top-tier or smaller destination, each state EPG offers options in select locales to fit a variety of meeting needs and sizes. The EPG roundups even include new and noteworthy venues to consider for future meetings. The three cover stories—natural venues, Southwestern food, and entertainment—offer attendees something fresh, filling, and fun! From painted deserts to coastal overlooks, mountain vistas to starry night skies, the Southwest’s diverse landscapes provide a beautiful, natural backdrop for teambuilding, excursions, and wellness activities that create an unforgettable event experience. The flavors of the Southwest are almost as big as its landscapes. Learn how Southwestern culinary creations blend the region’s rich culture with its organic resources to offer attendees an authentic taste of the Southwest. Beyond the boardroom, explore local arts, entertainment, and after-party hot spots in popular Southwestern destinations. These picks are sure to raise the fun factor!
We hope you find this premiere issue of Convention Southwest magazine an invaluable and informative event-planning resource. Ultimately, we want to partner with meeting professionals, property managers, and tourism representatives to create successful events for all parties. Please join us in our mission by visiting our website, interacting with us on our social media channels, or contacting a member of the Convention Southwest team. We look forward to hearing from you!
Making Meetings Matter More,
Michelle Martin, Editor.
