By Chris Hester | Conference Chair
The STC14 Planning Committee recently visited the Hyatt Regency in Phoenix for our initial site planning, and I can’t wait to return to Phoenix in May 2014 for the Technical Communication Summit. The people, location, facilities, event plans, and sightseeing opportunities are incredible.
We packed in a great deal during our visit, but I thought I would highlight some of my thoughts:
- Travel from the airport to the Hyatt Regency is fast and easy. Taxis take about 15 minutes ($20), and light-rail is an inexpensive option ($2) and requires less than an hour.
- You can get a light-rail day pass ($4) and easily ride around the city to see the sites. A light-rail stop is only two blocks from the Hyatt.
- The Hyatt Regency is a great hotel with many public seating/conversation areas, Wi-Fi, comfortable rooms, and friendly and helpful staff. There’s an outdoor garden area and pool, plus a well-equipped gym. Hotel dining includes Einstein’s Bagels and Networks bar and grill, both of which provide ample outdoor seating.
- Misting systems on many buildings and outdoor patios keep you cool so you can enjoy the area.
- Many shops, bars, restaurants, and sites to see (including Alice Cooperstown) are within walking distance of the Hyatt. I can’t wait for the TweetUp and other social gatherings.
- The architecture of many of the older Phoenix buildings is beautiful, as is the art and sculptures throughout the city.
- The baseball stadium is an easy walk from the hotel, so I look forward to seeing an Arizona Diamondbacks game while
- I’m in town.
- The convention center, which is the location of our conference session rooms and exhibit hall, is across the street from the Hyatt—just 56 steps away, and provides wonderful accessibility.
- Starbucks is located at the convention center entrance—so convenient!
- Our session rooms in the convention center are located in the same wing, just inside the entrance, and give us great flexibility to deliver a powerful program with new formats—stay tuned for more information and announcements.
- The Hyatt provides great meeting space for our preconference education programs and our evening events.
- The Arizona Cardinals football stadium, which will host the 2015 Superbowl, is 20 miles from the Hyatt and can be seen from the revolving restaurant on the top floor.
- The Grand Canyon is about four hours away.
- Sedona, Flagstaff, and Tucson are each less than two hours away.
- The Symphony Hall is next to the convention center and several museums are nearby.
- Our group enjoyed breakfast at Steve’s, just across the street from the Hyatt. It’s an easy place to meet with friends.
- The Honors Banquet meal will be delicious, offering a wonderful filet mignon, fish, or vegetarian grilled, stuffed poblano chili main entree. The chef shared how the Hyatt uses local suppliers whenever possible to create fresh, enjoyable dishes.
I hope you are getting excited about the 2014 Summit in Phoenix and putting it on your calendar today. The Call for Proposals will be opening in early August and will close in early September. STC will announce the Call for Proposals to all members via email, but you can also watch for an announcement on the STC website. Watch www.stc.org for a banner announcing the Call for Proposals. For more information about the Summit, be sure to watch #stc14 on Twitter and the Summit website at http://summit.stc.org.
We look forward to seeing you in Phoenix!
