Tempe, Arizona

Why Tempe for Your Next Meeting or Event?

Tempe is the heartbeat of Greater Phoenix and the bridge to all things Arizona, giving meeting planners an easy, connected destination with plenty for groups to experience beyond the agenda. Just five miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Tempe brings together walkable hotels, distinctive meeting venues, an evolving dining and rooftop scene and Tempe Town Lake, all within a compact footprint.

From ballroom meetings and rooftop receptions to private group experiences and desert adventures, Tempe makes it easy to build an itinerary that moves seamlessly from business to everything that comes after.

Source a Tempe Hotel

Transportation in and Around the Area

• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is under 10 minutes from Tempe, giving attendees an easy arrival and quick access to the city.
• Complimentary ORBIT neighborhood circulators connect Downtown Tempe with surrounding Tempe neighborhoods, while Valley Metro Bus provides connections throughout the region.
• The Tempe Streetcar travels through Downtown Tempe and connects with Valley Metro Rail, making it easy for attendees to reach hotels, dining, entertainment and local experiences.
• Valley Metro Rail connects Downtown Tempe with Phoenix and Mesa, including a convenient connection to PHX Sky Train for airport access.
• Charter and motor coach transportation is available for larger groups and customized itineraries.

Tempe offers a wide range of meeting and event spaces, from sophisticated hotel ballrooms to waterfront, university and stadium settings. Overlooking Tempe Town Lake and the Papago Mountains, Tempe Center for the Arts offers a scenic setting and flexible space for meetings, receptions and special events.

Meeting Hotels

• Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU: 330 guest rooms and nearly 36,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, including Tempe’s largest hotel ballroom at nearly 15,000 square feet. Its Downtown Tempe location puts groups steps from ASU, dining and Mill Avenue.
• Tempe Mission Palms Hotel: 303 guest rooms and 30,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 9,384-square-foot ballroom, 13 breakout rooms and outdoor event areas in the heart of Downtown Tempe.
• Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes: 353 guest rooms and more than 43,000 square feet of event space across 19 meeting rooms, with elevated desert views and indoor and outdoor settings for groups.
• The Westin Tempe: 290 guest rooms and more than 21,000 square feet of meeting space across 13 event rooms, plus a Downtown Tempe location and rooftop experiences for groups.
• Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown: 198 guest rooms with flexible spaces for smaller meetings, gatherings and events in the heart of Downtown Tempe.

Unique Venues

• CLA Connection Center Arizona: 22,025 square feet of meeting and event space, including a 169-seat auditorium, breakout rooms and technology designed for hybrid events.
• Bouldering Project: A 4,800-square-foot warehouse event space that can be customized for conferences, corporate events and workshops, alongside indoor climbing and active group experiences.
• Culinary Dropout: Four event spaces, including an outdoor patio and the 325-person Showcase Room, offering a lively setting for group dining, receptions and social events.
• ASU 365 Community Union: Eight event spaces at Mountain America Stadium, suitable for conferences and larger events, with 24,500 square feet of event space and a 12,500-square-foot largest ballroom.
• Tempe Diablo Stadium: A sports-focused setting with seating for more than 9,000 and spaces that can accommodate trade shows, conferences and smaller gatherings.

Entertainment Offerings

• Hike ‘A’ Mountain for sweeping views of Downtown Tempe, Tempe Town Lake and the surrounding desert landscape, with the trailhead just steps from the energy of downtown.
• Pair pickleball with food and social games at Electric Pickle, where courts, dining and entertainment create an easy group outing.
• Experience Tempe’s rooftop scene at Skysill Rooftop Lounge, Lucero Rooftop Bar & Lounge at Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU and Alibi Tempe at Canopy, where cocktails, dining, city views and Arizona sunsets set the scene for memorable group gatherings. These open-air venues offer sweeping views and options for private and semi-private group events.

Outdoor Offerings

• Explore Tempe Town Lake, the Rio Salado corridor and Papago Park on a guided e-bike tour. Private group rides can include a stop at Papago Park and a short hike to Hole-in-the-Rock.
• Keep the group going after dark at Grass Clippings Rolling Hills, where lighted night golf pairs with views of the Tempe skyline for a distinctly Tempe group experience.
• Get the group on the water with a private Tempe Town Lake cruise aboard Tempe Boat Cruisin’, a pedal-powered cycle boat with room for up to 26 passengers.

Local Experiences

• Experience Tempe’s craft beer scene at Four Peaks Brewing Company’s original 8th Street location, housed in a former creamery and ice factory. Guided tours explore the brewery’s history and brewing process and can be paired with food and beer tastings.
• Explore Tempe’s arts and culture scene, from Broadway productions at ASU Gammage and exhibitions at ASU Art Museum to live performances at Tempe Center for the Arts and concerts at Marquee Theatre.
• Explore 55 acres of Sonoran Desert landscapes at Desert Botanical Garden. Groups can arrange private guided tours as well as receptions, dinners and other events.
• Taste your way through Tempe on a guided walking food tour featuring local restaurants and stories about the city’s culinary scene. Private group tours are available.