Things You Need To Know

Register for the Conference
Hotel Reservations & Info
Travel and Sightseeing
Weather & Attire
Shipping Display Materials for Magazine Members
Shipping Display Materials for Sponsors

Important dates:

Board Dinner 9/27
Board Meeting 9/28
Arrivals and Welcome Dinner 9/28
Awards and Farewell Dinner 10/1
Departure Day 10/2

Register for the conference

Hotel Info:

Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 East Main Street, Scottsdale, AZ – www.hotelvalleyho.com

Guestroom reservations at a IRMA’s discounted rate can be made by calling the Hotel reservations department at either 480.248.2000 or toll-free at 866.882.4484.  You will need to identify yourself as attending the International Regional Magazine Association’s meeting in order to receive our discounted rate.  Due to the limited number of rooms available, we suggest you contact the Valley Ho and reserve your room as soon as possible.

IRMA’s discounted rates, which include free wi-fi (normally an extra charge), are as follows:

Room Types

Single Occupancy

Double Occupancy

Triple Occupancy

Quad Occupancy

Signature

$149.00

$149.00

$25.00 additional

$50.00 additional

Poolview

$174.00

$174.00

$25.00 additional

Not Applicable

Cabana

$199.00

$199.00

$25.00 additional

Not Applicable

Studio

$199.00

$199.00

$25.00 additional

Not Applicable

Terrace Suite

$249.00

$249.00

$25.00 additional

Not Applicable

Executive Suite

$149.00

$149.00

$25.00 additional

Not Applicable

Executive Suite

$349.00

$349.00

$25.00 additional

Not Applicable

Tower Signature

$224.00

$224.00

$25.00 additional

$50.00 additional

Tower Suite

$449.00

$449.00

$25.00 additional

Not Applicable


To view the different guestroom types visit the hotel’s website at www.hotelvalleyho.com

Reservation information must include the full guest name, arrival/departure dates, the number of guests occupying each room and major credit card for guarantee.  The final date reservations will be accepted by the Valley Ho is Monday, September 3, 2012 at 11.59pm MT.  Reservations after this date are accepted only on a space available basis at our group guestroom rate for the room type available.  IRMA’s discounted group guestroom rates are available three (3) days prior to and (three) 3 days after the meeting dates subject to availability of rooms at the time of reservation.

Arrival/Departure

The Hotel check-in time is 4:00pm MT on your scheduled day of arrival with a checkout time of 12:00pm MT on your scheduled day of departure.  Guests arriving before 4:00pm MT will be accommodated in the reserved room type on a first available basis.  The bell staff can arrange to check baggage for guests arriving early when rooms are not available and for guests attending functions on the day of departure.  Additionally, the Hotel facilities are available for use by Group guests in either of these circumstances. 

See a video of our Scottsdale conference site.

Air Transportation

All major airlines service Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix. Because the market is a resort destination, frequent daily flights from US and Canadian population centers is the norm. Information may be found at phxskyharbor.com

Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport also serves the metro area with Allegiant and Spirit Airlines daily flights. Information may be found at phxmesagateway.org.

Getting To the Hotel

Renting a car is not necessary, but if you do want a car, all major car rental companies are on-site at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport with a more limited number at Phoenix/Mesa Gateway. Transportation from either airport to the conference hotel, The Valley Ho in Scottsdale, is available by taxi or Super Shuttle. The hotel’s address is 6850 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. .Taxi service is about $25 plus gratuity. The Super Shuttle rate is $17 plus gratuity. More information on transportation from the airport to the hotel (PDF) may be found at http://www.hotelvalleyho.com/pdf/skyharbortransportationoptions.pdf.

If you are driving to the conference, information on the hotel including driving directions, may be found at www.hotelvalleyho.com

Seeing More of Arizona

If you wish to add on time either before or after the conference for some additional sightseeing, hiking, golf, horseback riding, shopping, etc., the Arizona Highways Magazine staff will be happy to provide suggestions and directions. If you prefer, information on attractions and activities in and around Scottsdale may be found at www.scottsdalecvb.com/.

Major visitor destinations within a manageable drive from the hotel include Sedona – about a two-hour drive (known for its unique red rock formations) and the Grand Canyon – about a four-hour drive. Information on these and other destinations may be found at www.arizonahighways.com/

Weather & Attire

Late September in the Sonoran Desert (that’s Phoenix and environs, Iirmtes!) can be warm. Daytime temperatures average near 100 degrees with nighttime averages in the mid-80’s. While that sounds high, remember the desert boasts a dry heat and you should be very comfortable. It is possible for late afternoon storms which can drop the temperature by over 20 degrees. 

During the day in sessions, Dockers, capris or shorts and casual shirts such as golf shirts or short-sleeved shirts are appropriate. Evenings are very comfortable outdoors and the same attire is fine. You may want to have a light jacket or sweater to help with meeting room air conditioning settings.

Please remember to bring more business casual attire, including a sport coat for the gentlemen and dress or dressy slacks for the ladies, for the group photo and awards. A tie is not required. It is also smart to pack a swimming suit. The hotel provides pool towels.

Shipping Instructions for Display Materials:

MAGAZINE MEMBERS:

Ship sample magazines, ancillary products, etc. for display at the conference to:

IRMA Display Materials
c/o Arizona Highways
2039 W Lewis Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85009, USA

One box (usually 75-85 copies) is sufficient for magazine displays. Please write your magazine’s name prominently on the address side of each box.

Deadline:  Shipments must arrive by September 25 (the Tuesday prior to the start of the conference)

Arizona Highways and conference staff will bring the boxes to the hotel and array your materials on the display tables to be available throughout the conference.

SPONSORS:

Sponsors only, you may bring your displays with you, but if you wish to ship them in advance, please ship them and related display materials, to fit on the provided five-foot display table, directly to the hotel, addressed as follows:

Dianne Davis, IRMA - September 27-October 2, 2012
c/o Caress Rogers
Valley Ho
6850 East Main Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Caress Rogers’ email and phone: crogers@hotelvalleyho.com, 480-248-2000

IMPORTANT: If you advance ship, please email conference coordinator, Dianne Davis, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), the following information:

Deadline:  Shipments must arrive by September 25 (the Tuesday prior to the start of the conference)

Thank you.