A blue sky site: for meetings, there's no place like Scottsdale.

When it was formed, the Associated Wire Rope Fabricators in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, made a rule: Every meeting destination had to be different. After all, who wanted to see the same city twice?

But after almost 20 years of meeting biannually, the association began to run out of desirable places to go. So Donald Sayenga, chief executive, polled his members, asking them, "If we changed the policy, where would you want to return to?"

"Scottsdale," the members answered.

So the association went to Scottsdale. Again. And again.

"It's the only place we've ever met three times," Sayenga says. "And frankly, I'd go back again in a flash."

What draws association executives and their members to Scottsdale? Four compelling reasons - its resort atmosphere, the variety of meeting properties, the range of activities available, and its well-earned reputation.

Come in From the Cold

"The majority of our members are what we call 'snowbirds,'" says Elaine Autwell, administrative assistant to the president, National Wood, Window, and Door Association (NWWDA), Des Plaines, Illinois. "They're from cold temperatures in the Midwest."

When they go to the NWWDA annual meeting in February, they expect a sunny resort destination, she explains, where they can relax and have fun. That's one of the reasons that the 1995 meeting in Scottsdale was so successful.

LaDonna Courtney, CAE, executive director, Arizona Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), Phoenix, recently signed a four-year meeting contract with a Scottsdale hotel. Scottsdale continues to be her city of choice for meetings because of its resort setting. "We find that is a big draw for attendees at our major meeting of the year. We get a lot of people from out of state," she says, even though the AAFP is a statewide group.

"Scottsdale is a wonderful destination," Courtney adds. "The climate is just paradise."

And in fact the blue skies of Scottsdale promise more sunshine than any other city in the U.S. "It's weather you can count on," says Monica Culpepper, CMP, meeting planner, American Bar Association, Chicago. "It'll never be rainy. Or almost never."

Because her members tend to be rate-conscious, Culpepper prefers to book her Scottsdale meetings in the spring and fall, rather then winter prime time. "Shoulder seasons have good weather and prices drop considerably. You can really get a good rate."

Properties Will Meet Your Needs

Scottsdale's emphasis on meetings is reflected in the number - more than 50 - of resorts, hotels, and seasonal apartments, as well as their variety. "There's a great selection of hotels at all levels," says Lori Edmunds, director of meetings, International Association of Assessing Officers, Chicago. "You have your luxury resorts down to the more moderately priced hotels. There's a property to meet your needs."

With 9,000 guest rooms and more than 500,000 square feet of meeting space, Scottsdale properties range from five-star choices to budget-wise family favorites. "People have the idea that hotels are going to be outrageously expensive," says Susan Bitter Smith, CAE, executive director, Arizona Cable Television Association (ACTA), Phoenix. "I use a hotel in Scottsdale in high season in February. I'm right there at top-dollar time. And I can still find something within my range."

For her meetings, Bitter Smith tends to use midsized properties that have a "resort atmosphere without the resort price." Although these hotels generally lack attached courses, her members still have access to golf. "I can't think of a hotel in Scottsdale that doesn't have a reciprocal arrangement with a golf course," she says. "That's a given. They have to have some type of golf arrangement for you."

Rates are not an issue for LaDonna Courtney either. Because she signed a contract through the year 2000, she was able to negotiate "a pretty good rate for our folks." What does concern her, however, is availability in this ever-more-popular meeting destination.

"We're finding that the hotels are booked and that it's very difficult to get reservations," she says. "We just encourage our people to get their reservations as soon as possible - not to wait - because the hotels fill up fast."

Because of the wide variety of properties in Scottsdale, association executives frequently contact the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce for assistance in finding hotels that meet their needs. "Site selection is a big help to me," says Lori Edmunds. "I've worked on the hotel side, and now I'm on the meeting side. The chamber is extremely accommodating to both sides of the business."

Never a Dull Moment

Golf tournaments. Tennis tournaments. Hot air balloon rides. Performing arts. "You name it, you can do it," says Tyler H. Strout, CAE, executive vice president, Arizona Association of Realtors, Phoenix.

Some of Scottsdale's most popular hospitality events are area-specific. "You can't find them in the yellow pages of most cities," Donald Sayenga says. These activities include:

Jeep Rides in the Desert. Where else can you arrange for your members to get a guided tour of the desert in a jeep? Which may be why desert jeep rides go over big with association attendees. "At our last meeting, we did a desert jeep tour," says Elaine Autwell. "Our people loved it. Absolutely loved it."

Western Hoe-down/Barbecue. Any number of the area's destination management companies will arrange this for your meeting, says Donald Sayenga. "It makes a very attractive western theme party without any work at all."

Horseback Riding. "There's very little humidity, so it makes an ideal location for outdoor activities," Elaine Autwell says. "Our people love to go horseback riding."

Shopping. Your members will find handmade cowboy boots, distinct designs of Mexican and Native American jewelry, rare antiques, and one-of-a-kind crafts in Scottsdale. "When anybody comes to Phoenix, they always want to go to Scottsdale's' Fifth Avenue or the Borgata," says Barbara Nivala, CAE, CMP, executive vice president, National Speakers Association, Tempe. The Borgata represents a 14th-century Italian-styled village, and Fifth Avenue features a bevy of unique shops.

Visits to Reservations of Native Americans. "People who have never been to one should visit an Indian reservation," says Elaine Autwell. "They're all over the place."

Reputation Alone Attracts Members

For a long time, Susan Bitter Smith held her association's meetings in downtown Phoenix. It seemed logical since the association's office was there. Finally, one day her board of directors asked her: "Why aren't we meeting in Scottsdale? It's a premier resort location."

So ACTA moved its meeting to Scottsdale. Attendance immediately shot up. "Scottsdale is a draw," Bitter Smith says. "The name is not something you have to describe to anybody. You say, 'Scottsdale,' and they think tourism. It's a sales tool to get people to come to my meeting."

That well-earned reputation can make a difference in your meeting attendance. "If I lived on the East Coast where it's snowing blizzards and I got a brochure in the mail to come to a convention in Scottsdale, I would make my reservation right away," comments Barbara Nivala. "If someone can go to Scottsdale in February, they're not going to turn it down."

RELATED ARTICLE: Describing a Multifaceted Destination in One Word

When they describe Scottsdale, association executives conjure up images of a meeting planner's paradise. Using descriptive phrases, their words tumble forth in a series of glowing adjectives.

So, when asked to describe Scottsdale in one word, many executives paused. And paused. "One word, huh? Only one?"

Here is how eight executives finally answered:

"Exhilarating," says Susan Bitter Smith, CAE, executive director, Arizona Cable Television Association, Phoenix. An Arizona native who lives in Scottsdale, she holds meetings in Scottsdale "because it has reasonable prices and good access to fun hospitality events for my meeting attendees." In her list of positive attributes, she lists good restaurants, golf opportunities, shopping, and an abundance of outdoor activities - "tours, horseback riding, a lot of things that people who live on the East Coast don't have a chance to do."

"Classy," says Tyler H. Strout, CAE, executive vice president, Arizona Association of Realtors, Phoenix. "Scottsdale is the upper-income area of the valley."

"Charming," says LaDonna Courtney, CAE, executive director, Arizona Academy of Family Physicians, Phoenix. She hastens to add that she means "charming" as in "full of charm," not as in "cute."

"Relaxing," says Monica Culpepper, CMP, meeting planner, American Bar Association, Chicago. Her advice: When you plan a meeting in Scottsdale, leave some time for your members to relax and appreciate the beauty around them. "Don't schedule nine-to-five meetings."

"Dynamic," says Elaine Autwell, administrative assistant to the president, National Wood, Window, and Door Association, Des Plaines, Illinois. "Our members really like being there, so we go there often."

"Pristine," says Lori Edmunds, director of meetings, International Association of Assessing Officers, Chicago. "Scottsdale really has a lot to offer, especially to people who are looking for that southwestern flavor."

"Pretty," says Paul Novak, senior vice president, National Association of Purchasing Management, Tempe, Arizona. "The desert - and the climate that goes with it - makes Scottsdale unique. The desert doesn't look alive other, than when it blooms, but it's teeming with its own version of life."

"Reputation," says Barbara Nivala, CAE, CMP, executive vice president, National Speakers Association, Tempe. "Scottsdale's got a great reputation. . . . It's a reputation of elitism, money, and nice properties."

RELATED ARTICLE: Scottsdale Mayor Says: "You Can't Come to a Nicer Place."

Herb Drinkwater, the mayor of Scottsdale for the last 16 years, is a man who loves his job. In a brief interview with ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT, he couldn't say enough good things about the city, the residents, and the association executives who hold their meetings here.

What does Scottsdale offer to associations as a meeting site that other cries don't?

Sunshine 352 days a year. And the sunshine that comes from the sun is great, but the sunshine that comes from the people here is really special. The people in Scottsdale love tourists. They love the people who have meetings here. It keeps their taxes low.

How's that?

The tremendous amount of revenue that comes in through these meetings particularly through sales taxes. Half of our budget comes from sales taxes. The public understands that. They're just as pleased as punch to help anybody who wants to come here.

Does Scottsdale have any plans to expand the amount of meeting space available?

That's under discussion, putting a conference center - or convention center - in the city. That could very well happen in the next two years. Some hoteliers in the private sector have a location in mind, and the financial capabilities to do it, and would like to build a conference center that would seat 3,000 - maybe 3,500 - people.

Is anything holding it up?

Not that I can see. I believe it's going to happen, but you never want to count your chickens before they're hatched.

How does it feel to be mayor of Scottsdale?

Great. It's the best job in America.

Why should executives hold their meetings in Scottsdale?

You can't come to a nicer place - a better city - than Scottsdale. You really can't. I just wish that some of the places I go to for meetings were as nice as this.

The bottom line: The best city in the world is Scottsdale. I love it, and so will you.