Flagstaff: Stellar events
Want sustainable venues and activities?
The High Country Conference Center is the culmination of an intense eco-friendly building initiative that sourced as many construction materials as possible from within a 500-mile radius of the site. The building heats its water with solar energy, recycles, collects gray water for reuse in irrigation systems and has a high-efficiency air-conditioning system. In addition to a grand ballroom, the center has spacious breakout rooms, an abundance of natural light and is surrounded by a ponderosa pine forest. If you’re looking for community giveback programs for your group, contact the Walnut Creek Center for Education and Research about their volunteer opportunities, which range from archaeological surveys to tree plantings. The Coconino Community College has volunteer opportunities at its Community Garden and a Sustainability Task Force, members of which may be available for educational sessions.
Want to put stars in their eyes?
Pluto was discovered at Lowell Observatory, which is available for private receptions and group tours. Attractions include interactive exhibits, a 126-seat lecture hall, a 3D digital space theater and stargazing through the telescope that helped gather the first evidence of the universe’s expansion.
Want immersive education?
If your group has a mission with an environmental, scientific or educational focus, the Merriam-Powell Research Station has overnight accommodations for up to 20 and a research lab, banquet and meeting facilities at the Flagstaff Arboretum. If your group doesn’t have that specific mission, but is interested in learning more about Flagstaff’s unusual eco-system, guided tours of the Arboretum are available. Northern Arizona University is a great resource for speakers and experts in several fields ranging from Native American history to future workforce development and sustainable energy solutions. In addition to the conference center, on-campus venues include the Ardrey and Ashurst auditoriums, the Du Bois Center, Fieldhouse & University Union, Prochnow Auditorium and the Walkup Skydome.
Want to combine business with pleasure?
The Arizona Snowbowl not only has 777 acres of skiing trails and spectacular views of the Grand Canyon, it also has meeting space. The Hart Prairie Lodge is the largest venue (capacity: 500); rental fees include use of its 6,500-sq. ft. outdoor deck. During the summer, groups can take the Scenic Skyride to the semi-private Agassiz Lodge, a popular evening reception venue. Fort Valley Lodge seats up to 80 people and has several meeting/breakout rooms. The Ski Lift Lodge seats 40 indoors, 40 outdoors and is a popular venue for outdoor cookouts and team-building games like volleyball. The Mormon Lake Lodge is a 300-acre retreat 30 minutes southeast of Flagstaff. Guests can take a break from the boardroom by horseback riding, mountain biking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, or by taking a daytrip to the Grand Canyon. Meeting space includes a historic Western dance hall and indoor/outdoor banquet space, accommodating groups of up to 400.
Want to surround your group with culture?
First Friday Art Walks expose visitors to the wealth of local galleries and artists in downtown Flagstaff. The Coconino Center for the Arts has a 4,000-sq. ft. gallery and a 200-seat theater that hosts concerts, films and other presentations. The entire facility is available for private events. The Museum of Northern Arizona has gallery space for receptions, but if you really want attendees to immerse themselves in local color, check out the museum’s Venutures program — a series of custom tours, wilderness trips, guided hiking tours and day trips designed to educate visitors about the region’s people and places.
Want group dining?
Simply Delicious does off-premise catering for corporate and social groups and has a special dining facility, The Foundry Room, for groups of 50 or less. Groups can reserve the courtyard at the Riordan Mansion State Historic Park for a catered banquet or reception; guided tours of the historic home are available. Thornager’s Catering specializes in off-premise corporate groups and business meetings. It also has a special events venue on Kiltie Lane that has indoor banquet/meeting space for 120 and a courtyard dining area during warmer months. Groups can buy out the Cottage Place Restaurant for luncheons and special events; cooking classes also are available.
