Program Schedule

Pre-Registration Required

About the Immersion: Immerse yourself into the breathtaking landscapes of the Lower Salt River for an experience that blends adventure with impact. This one-of-a-kind journey through the stunning Sonoran Desert waterways combines outdoor recreation with hands-on environmental stewardship.  

Start your morning with a guided paddle along the Salt River, gliding past towering, saguaro-studded cliffs — you may even spot the famous wild horses that roam the area! While taking in the natural beauty, attendees will also take part in a cleanup effort alongside local sustainability advocates.  

By integrating environmental, social, and economic sustainability into your tourism strategy, you’ll gain insight into how your destination can grow their visitor economy while leading the way in preserving its unique ecosystems and promoting sustainable travel.    

Check-in: 8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. at the JW Desert Ridge lower level Convention Center 

Buses will load at 8:15 a.m. and depart at 8:30 a.m.

Limited to 100 participants. Hosted by Visit Mesa

Questions? Please contact [email protected].

Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.

Pre-Registration Required

About the Immersion: The internationally acclaimed Heard Museum in central Phoenix is one of the best places to experience the myriad cultures and art of the Indigenous peoples of the Southwest.  Join us for an unforgettable journey through this world – renowned museum, home to a collection of nearly 2,000 treasures and masterpieces. This guided experience will showcase how the Heard Museum weaves history and contemporary Indigenous expressions to educate visitors on the 22 Native tribes of Arizona.  

Through this immersive tour, you’ll gain insights into how destinations can blend past and present storytelling to foster deeper connections and drive visitor engagement. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, learn, and be inspired! 

Check-in: 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. at the JW Desert Ridge lower level Convention Center

Buses will load at 9:15 a.m. and depart at 9:30 a.m.

Limited to 50 participants. Hosted by Visit Phoenix

Questions? Please contact [email protected].

Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.

Pre-Registration Required

About the Immersion: What if a cocktail could tell the story of your destination? In this interactive and flavorful session, discover how Visit Phoenix turned local ingredients into a powerful branding tool with The Phoenix, the city’s official signature cocktail.    

Learn how tourism leaders, mixologists, and community partners collaborated to craft a drink that captures the city’s spirit—literally—and how it now serves as a tool for storytelling and visitor engagement.    

Enjoy a tasting of The Phoenix cocktail, get behind-the-scenes insights into the creative process, and take part in a hands-on exercise to uncover how your destination’s natural flavors, cultural roots, and signature vibes can be transformed into meaningful, marketable experiences that travel far and wide.    

Check-in: 9:45 a.m. – 9:55 a.m. at the Kembara restaurant at the JW Desert Ridge

Limit to 32 participants. Hosted by Visit Phoenix and JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge

Questions? Please contact [email protected].

Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.

Pre-Registration Required

About the Immersion: What if a cocktail could tell the story of your destination? In this interactive and flavorful session, discover how Visit Phoenix turned local ingredients into a powerful branding tool with The Phoenix, the city’s official signature cocktail.     

Learn how tourism leaders, mixologists, and community partners collaborated to craft a drink that captures the city’s spirit—literally—and how it now serves as a tool for storytelling and visitor engagement.   

Enjoy a tasting of The Phoenix cocktail, get behind-the-scenes insights into the creative process, and take part in a hands-on exercise to uncover how your destination’s natural flavors, cultural roots, and signature vibes can be transformed into meaningful, marketable experiences that travel far and wide.     

Limit to 32 participants. Hosted by Visit Phoenix and JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge

Questions? Please contact [email protected].

Advance RSVP required through your personalized schedule.