April 2010 Meeting Planner Newsletter from the Tempe CVB

1. Think Tempe First for Meetings! April 2010
Meeting Planner Newsletter
What the Tempe CVB can do for YOU In This Issue
What the Tempe CVB can
As a meeting planner you're expected to have all the do for YOU
answers. If you really want to impress those CEOs, board
members and guests, your answer to a successful meeting is Meet the Tempe CVB
undoubtedly Tempe! Tempe is the place to hold a first class Team
meeting in a second tier city. It's a perfect location that is
Our members create
very affordable and accommodating for groups from 5-500.
successful meetings
Our one of a kind city is nestled in the middle of the
Metropolitan Phoenix area with endless options for sunshine,
Out & About in Tempe
engaging arts and culture, tasty dining and fun nightlife.
Featured Member
The Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) can help you
by providing expert knowledge of the area and all of the On the Road
resources that ensure meeting success. The Tempe CVB has a
helpful, friendly staff whose goal is to help you plan a perfect Contact Us
meeting or event. And the best part of it all...it's FREE!
Quick Links
Some of our no-cost destination services include:
Meeting & Event Planners
Get to Know Tempe
- Distribution of specified requests for proposals to all of our Dining & Nightlife
local business members Things To Do
- Tempe, Arizona resort and hotel site inspection assistance Where To Stay
Sports & Recreation
- Convention service referrals Calendar of Events
- Tempe Visitor's Guides and local maps for attendees
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Featured Member
- Pre-conference attendance builders and promotional post
card mailer (nominal fee)
- Welcome letters from local dignitaries customized with your
group's name
- Scenic Tempe photos for program use or publications
Additionally we offer you access to our professional
members for referrals and services, such as: ASU Catering is a full-
service caterer offering
dazzling cuisine for any
- DMCs/meeting planners occasion. Whether you are
- Audio/visual companies planning an intimate dinner
- Décor and event production companies or an elaborate celebration,
- Guest, spouse and family programs we can help you plan your
ideal occasion. Our
- Ideas for team building events commitment to excellence,
- Local tour and transportation companies attention to detail,
- Catering companies knowledgeable and friendly
- Registration assistance/personnel from local temporary staff, exceptional food
selection and affordable
agencies prices make each event
- Itinerary suggestions for your attendees special in its own way. We
- Restaurants and unique venues for off-site events. look forward to the
opportunity of bringing
imaginative menus,
Come take a step into the sunshine. Think Tempe First for exceptional value and
your next meeting. One call to the Tempe CVB is all you need. specialized service to your
next special event.
To learn more about our services and Tempe resorts and
ASU Catering Services
hotels, contact our convention sales staff: 866-914-0685 or ASU Tempe Campus
conventionservices@tempecvb.com. 1290 S. Normal Avenue
Tempe, AZ, 85287
Meet the Tempe CVB Team 480-965-6508
ASUCatering@gmail.com
On the Road
Mark R. McMinn, CMP -
Director of Sales
Mark McMinn is Mark McMinn
responsible for promoting Meeting Max MMX User
Group
Tempe as a meetings Vancouver, BC, Canada
destination to April 29 - May 2
the corporate, association
and SMERF market MPI National Chapter
Leadership Council
nationally and he Dallas, Texas
oversees the group sales staff at the Tempe CVB. His June 11-13
professional background includes 30 years in the
travel/hospitality industry with the last four years being at the MPI World Education
Congress
Tempe CVB. McMinn, a New York native just outside NYC, is a Vancouver, BC, Canada
graduate of State University New York. July 24-27
Mark has lived in 7 different states and has been to all 49 Sofia Preston
Meeting Max MMX User
with Alaska remaining as the 50th on his travel list. Marks Group
motto is: "Travel: get me on a plane and I am happy." In his Vancouver, BC, Canada
free time Mark enjoys cooking and dining out, which help him April 29 - May 2
relive his childhood dream of becoming a chef. Four things
you won't find in Mark's kitchen: curry, squid, oatmeal, and Contact Us
shredded coconut. Mark is a true kid at heart who claims to
Mark McMinn, CMP
be a Jeopardy fanatic and has a favorite pastime of Sunday
Director of Sales
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afternoon naps by the pool (in the shade of course). Corporate,
Associations, SMERF
480-305-1365
Amy Miranda - Group mark@tempecvb.com
Sales Manager &
Newest Tempe CVB Amy Miranda
Staff Member! Group Sales Manager
AZ, CA & TX Corporate &
Associations
Born and raised in the 480-305-1357
coastal city of Saco, amiranda@tempecvb.com
Maine, Amy attended
Sofia Preston
University of Southern Membership & Services
Maine for 2 years before Manager
packing up and heading west in 1991. She attended Mesa 480-305-1390
Community College and Ottawa University majoring in sofia@tempecvb.com
Education and worked in the food and beverage industry
while in school. She discovered a passion for the tourism
industry 12 years ago when she began her hotel sales career
as a catering coordinator. Over the past 12 years she has
worked in several valley hotels, both select service and full
service, always working towards a goal of working for the
Tempe CVB. She is excited to be the newest staff member of
the Tempe CVB as a Group Sales Manager and will be
focusing on ASU as well as the corporate and association
markets for Arizona, California, and Texas.
In her spare time, Amy cheers for her three sons at their
baseball, soccer and school activities. She loves to host
barbeques for family and friends and explore Arizona on
weekend trips. And, her favorite dessert is carrot cake.
Sofia Preston - Membership &
Services Manager
Born and raised in Sweden, Sofia
Preston first came to the live in the
United States to attend Arizona
State University in Tempe in 1995.
When Sofia graduated from ASU in
1999, she took an internship with
the Tempe CVB. After her
internship, she accepted a position
as Sales & Services Assistant and
then was promoted to a Group Sales
Manager for six years.
Recently, she decided to take on a new challenge in her
current role as the Member & Client Services Manger. Sofia
specifically handles member relationships, including
recruiting, retention and planning member events. She also
manages client services for groups, as well as promotional
items and inventory for the office. When she's not working
Sofia enjoys movies, reading, hiking and spending time with
friends and family. Sofia and her husband Scott recently
welcomed a healthy and happy baby girl this January.
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Our members can make your meeting a
success
The Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud to refer our
members who can assist you with meeting planning, such as:
Event Services:
DETOURS of Arizona: guided tours locally and around the
state
Enterprise Rent-A-Car & National Car Rental: car rentals for
individuals and groups
Ray the DJ-Professional Mobile Disc Jockey: DJs and
entertainment
Special Moments Catering & Events: catering
Marx Productions: audio/visual
Merestone: event production
Team Building & Extra Curricular Activities:
Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse: Western themed
attraction
SEA LIFE Arizona: new aquarium at Arizona Mills, opening in
May 2010
Dave & Buster's: full-service restaurant, bar and
entertainment complex
Out & About in Tempe
For a complete list of upcoming Tempe events, please visit
our online Calendar of Events.
Chuck Amuck: A Legacy of Laughter
Through June 18, 2010
Tempe Center for the Arts
480-350-2822
www.tempe.gov/tca
During the Golden Age of animation Jones helped bring to life
many of Warner Bros. most famous characters-Bugs Bunny,
Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd and Porky Pig.
A Taste of Greece
April 30, 2010 - May 02, 2010
Tempe Beach Park
480-899-3330
www.atasteofgreeceaz.com
Take your own journey through Greece during the three-day
festival.
The Danskin Tempe Women's Triathlon
May 8, 2010
Tempe Beach Park
877-681-7223
http://redrockco.com/danskin-tempe-womens-triathlon
The Danskin Tempe Women's Triathlon is a WOMEN's only
triathlon designed just for women on Mother's Day weekend.
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IN THE HEIGHTS
June 15-20, 2010
ASU Gammage
800-965-3434
www.asugammage.com
IN THE HEIGHTS, winner of four 2008 Tony® Awards
including BEST MUSICAL, is a sensational new show about
chasing your dreams and finding your true home.
July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival
July 4, 2010
Tempe Town Lake
480-350-5189
www.tempe4th.com
This annual festival includes food, family fun and the best
fireworks show in the Valley.
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Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau | 51 W. Third St. | Suite 105 | Tempe | AZ | 85281
4/27/2010