Scottsdale Blog - Things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona » Tourism

Enter “Where the Locals Go” contest for your chance to win

Rachel Pearson — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:50:29 +0000

Attention all Arizona residents: Enter the “Where the Locals Go” video contest showing your favorite ways to vacation in Scottsdale for a chance to win a luxury Scottsdale staycation valued at $1,400. Plus, take a 5-question quiz to see how much you know about travel and tourism in Scottsdale and enter to win one of nearly two dozen signature Scottsdale prizes (including restaurant gift cards, golf, outdoor adventures, and more).

Visit www.ScottsdaleTravelMatters.com for your chance to win as we celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week.

Celebrate Tourism in Scottsdale

Rachel Pearson — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:14:56 +0000

Attention all Arizona residents: Your knowledge of Scottsdale’s tourism industry is your key to valuable prizes! In conjunction with National Travel & Tourism Week (May 9-17), the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau is launching a new Web site designed to help residents learn more about tourism and how it directly benefits them and our community.

More to come Monday, May 11 for your chance to win a Scottsdale staycation, one of nearly two dozen signature Scottsdale prizes, and explore all the ways that tourism works for you. Stay tuned!

AAA Recognized Scottsdale Resorts and Restaurants with Diamond Ratings

Josh Kenzer — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:17:00 +0000

AAA recognized several Scottsdale resorts and restaurants with its diamond ratings. The AAA five-diamond rated hotels are:

Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
The Canyon Suites at the Phoenician
Fairmont Scottsdale
The Phoenician

Hotels awarded four-diamonds include:

The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa
CopperWynd Resort and Club
Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort Scottsdale
FireSky Resort & Spa
Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas
Hotel Valley Ho
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch
Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino
Royal Palms Resort and Spa
Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa
Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains
Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

The four-diamond restaurants include:

Alchemy at CopperWynd
Asia de Cuba at Mondrian Scottsdale
Bourbon Steak at Fairmont Scottsdale
Deseo at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Elements at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa
La Hacienda at Fairmont Scottsdale
Latilla Dining Room at The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa
Lon’s at Hermosa Inn
Mosaic
Palm Court, at the Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center
Talavera at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
T Cook’s at The Royal Palms Resort and Spa
Il Terrazzo at The Phoenician
Windows on the Green at The Phoenician

Members Share their CVB Experiences

Josh Kenzer — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:39:58 +0000

Sunset from the Four Seasons

Josh Kenzer — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:00:15 +0000

This YouTube video shows off the beauty of Scottsdale sunsets as well as the beauty of the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale.

Check out top Valley Chefs AND support the arts

Kelly Tope — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:03:52 +0000

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will present Dine Out with the Chefs: A Celebration of the Culinary Arts on October 5, 2008, from 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Created by author Pamela Swartz, the mouth-watering event celebrates the Valley’s exciting dining scene and is a must for anyone who loves food. Now in its third year, it has become one of the most prestigious epicurean events in Arizona, attracting the top chefs in the Valley.
Dine Out guests will have the opportunity to meet the chefs from 19 of the Valley’s finest restaurants and to sample their culinary creations, from delicious soups, salads and appetizers to some of their signature dishes and most decadent desserts

Dine Out with the Chefs will feature author Pamela Swartz signing her brand new edition of Dine Out Phoenix: Where to Eat from Chic to Unique as well as a wine tasting, premium vodka and tequila tasting, premium beer tasting courtesy of Hensley, live music by Rakata and a cash bar.

The participating chefs and restaurants include:

Executive Chef Jon-Paul Hutchins, L’Academie and L’Ecole (at Scottsdale Culinary Institute)
Executive Chef Eric Howson & Chef Salvador Prado, Alto ristorante e bar (at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch)
Chef/Owner Carolyn Ellis, Arcadia Farms
Executive Chef Justin Beckett, Canal
Pastry Chef Tracy Dempsey, Confection
Chef Payton Curry, Digestif
Executive Chef Gio Osso, Estate House
Executive Chef Matt Taylor, Foodbar
Executive Chef Michael Rusconi, Lon’s (at the Hermosa Inn)
Executive Chef Bernie Kantak, Mexican Standoff
Chef/Owner Erasmo “Razz” Kamnitzer, Razz’s Restaurant
Executive Chef Nobuo Fukuda, Shell Shock
Head Baker Jeffrey Yankellow, Simply Bread
Chef Juan Solorio, SWB, a southwest bistro (at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch)
Executive Chef Lee Hillson, T. Cook’s (at the Royal Palms Resort & Spa)
Executive Chef Mel Mecinas, Talavera (at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North)
Chef de Cuisine Robert Sanchez, Windows on the Green (at The Phoenician)
Executive Chef Matt Carter, Zinc Bistro

Arizona Tourism Director Margie Emmermann Wins National Honor

Rachel Pearson — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:56:03 +0000

Margie A. Emmermann, director of the Arizona Office of Tourism, has been chosen as the 2008 State Tourism Director of the Year by her peers in the Travel Industry Association. “This is a well-deserved award and a wonderful way to honor Margie for her many achievements and contributions on behalf of the entire travel community,” said Roger Dow, the association’s president and chief executive. “Margie is an effective, well-respected leader who not only successfully positions Arizona as a premier travel destination, but also actively participates in finding solutions to the domestic and international challenges facing our industry.” Selected by the National Council of State Tourism Directors, a subgroup of the Travel Industry Association, Emmermann was chosen for the honor by her peers who represent 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories. The award is given annually to a tourism executive whose leadership has made a difference in their state or territory’s travel and tourism profile within the marketplace. Emmermann was among three finalists for the honor and is the first Arizona state tourism director to be given the award.