Everyone knows that Tucson's mild climate, spectacular natural beauty, challenging golf, unparalleled dining, and world-famous attractions make it a great destination for meetings. And now, with new developments coming on line, Tucson will only become more appealing to groups.

Last year, Tucson's City Council approved a plan to build an arena in the city's downtown district and to renovate the existing Tucson Convention Center (TCC). After the arena is built, the TCC will be transformed into an updated, modern convention center, with the addition of versatile new meeting rooms to the east and south of the current TCC arena, which will be converted into an exhibit hall.

Once the renovation is complete, the TCC will offer 214,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space. The new arena will span 270,844 square feet and have 12,338 seats.

The City of Tucson plans to purchase and renovate the current Hotel Arizona property into a 248-room hotel and a 707-room Sheraton Hotel will be constructed next to the Tucson Convention Center.

"A state-of-the art arena, modernized meeting space, and a large anchor hotel will greatly improve Tucson's offerings to the convention and leisure markets," said Jonathan Walker, president and CEO, Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau. "It will provide the anchor component that allows visitors to easily access major events and Tucson's burgeoning downtown experience."

Meanwhile, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company L.L.C., Cottonwood Properties, and Greenbrier Southwest Corporation are teaming up to open The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain golf and spa resort, along with single-family residences, in the scenic town of Marana just outside Tucson. Expected to open in late 2009, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain will feature 250 guest rooms and a variety of meeting and event facilities, including two ballrooms of 9,000 and 4,800 square feet. The property will also feature three restaurants, a 17,000-square-foot spa and fitness center, hiking trails, and unique desert golf at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Desert Mountain.

In other hotel developments, the Embassy Suites Tucson-Paloma Village has opened in the city's hottest retail, dining, and art corridor, across the street from La Encantada shopping center. Blending value rates with upscale amenities, it features 120 guest suites and 3,256 square feet of meeting space.

The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa has added 4,300 square feet of new meeting space, while the Omni National Golf Resort & Spa has begun a $55 million renovation that will add such new features as courtyards, gardens, and patios.

When work is completed late this year, the property will have 279 luxury guest rooms and suites, including 173 new guest rooms and suites; plus 103 redesigned rooms, a new 7,500-square-foot ballroom, a 17,500-square-foot spa, and more. 

Tucson at a Glance
Convention Facilities: The Tucson Convention Center boasts more than 205,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space. Area resorts also have state-of-the-art meeting facilities. Off-site venues range from lush outdoor gardens to Old West towns.

Number of Hotel Rooms: 15,500

Attractions: World Golf Championships: Accenture Match Play Championship, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Pima Air & Space Museum, Kartchner Caverns, Tombstone, Kitt Peak National Observatory, Old Tucson Studios, Saguaro National Park, Titan Missile Museum, MLB Spring Training, Sabino Canyon, Mission San Xavier del Bac, Colossal Cave, Historic Anza Trail, Coronado National Forest ... What's new: A new interpretive center has opened at El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson, which is built on the site of Tucson's original adobe-walled fortress and is part of Tucson Origins Heritage Park. Visitors will be able to experience life in Tucson during the American Revolution to the Civil War. The new Tohono O'odham Nation Cultural Center and Museum showcases an extensive collection of baskets, pottery, and historical and contemporary photos.

For More Information: Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, Graeme Hughes, director of convention sales, 100 S. Church Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701; phone: (800) 638-8350 ext. 174; fax: (520) 884-7804; e-mail: ghughes@visitTucson.org; Web site: www.TucsonOnUs.com