Innovative Group Events in Tempe: Spotlights on Culinary Dropout and Phoenix Marriott Resort at The Buttes
By Matt Connelly, National Sales Manager
At the Tempe Tourism Office, we're privileged to partner with top talent in the hospitality and tourism industry. Our mission is to create lasting memories for groups in Tempe—delivering productive meetings while building camaraderie and elevating team spirit.
In this feature, we spotlight The Showcase Room at the Culinary Dropout, an imaginative venue in Downtown Tempe, and the Phoenix Marriott Resort Tempe at The Buttes, a stunning mountaintop resort. Teams from both shared how they bring group events vibrantly to life.
I recently spoke with Kelley Bolender, Regional Manager of Group Sales, about an standout event at The Showcase Room. Culinary Dropout, a creative gastropub in a revitalized warehouse, is renowned for its delicious food, handcrafted cocktails, expansive patio, and versatile private spaces for groups.
Kelley described hosting a Fortune 500 corporate banking group for an all-day conference. Their planner sought an extraordinary reception for top producers from across the country.
The highly interactive event captured regional spirits of attendees. The “General Session” was anything but ordinary.
“They embraced a hive mentality theme, with a honeycomb-shaped stage featuring fly projections and endless rows of theater-style seating,” Kelley explained. “Lunch in our Main Dining Room featured a live band playing hipster tunes, an elaborate buffet of fresh seasonal ingredients, and customized mocktails—signaling this was no ordinary experience.”
“Post-session, the real fun began on our vibrant patio, where a DJ spun tracks from a custom-built stage,” she added.
Kelley’s team crafted an interactive menu reflecting cuisines from employees' regions: Texas, New York, Chicago, and Miami.
This reception was far from standard. “We carved ahi tuna tableside, plus a hot dog stand, pizza truck, and homemade empanadas,” Kelley noted. “A crawfish boil came with logoed aprons and wooden mallets. Highlights included a liquid nitrogen dessert station with flaretenders and fireworks! Guests juggled eating and snapping social media pics—it was that thrilling!”
Designing menus, aligning the client’s vision with the culinary team, sourcing vessels for 15 items, coordinating production, and flawless execution was a massive undertaking.
“It was the coolest party we’ve hosted, and we’re eager for more chances to realize clients’ visions,” Kelley concluded.
I also connected with Shannon Lyman, Senior Sales Manager at the Phoenix Marriott Resort Tempe at The Buttes. This premier resort delivers stylish meetings and events with exceptional service that surpasses expectations.
Step into this hidden gem amid Arizona’s desert landscape, enhanced by modern Marriott amenities, cutting-edge technology, and welcoming staff. By event’s end, groups feel like family and return repeatedly.
Shannon highlighted a creative standout: “Our Winter Wonderland Holiday Party in the Kachina Ballroom transformed the space into a frozen paradise, with signature cocktails, seasonal chef creations, music, and dancing for lively fun.”
The 9,000-square-foot Kachina Ballroom boasts 16-foot ceilings and divides into six spaces—ideal for general sessions, dinners, boardrooms, weddings, or holiday parties.
Beyond indoors, outdoor venues shine. “La Hacienda immerses guests in the Buttes’ natural beauty,” Shannon said. “A recent SPAMerican Tour and Reception featured creative SPAM recipes, games, and beverages.”
La Hacienda’s 8,000 square feet of outdoor space suits desert sunset dinners, rustic weddings, evoking the Old West spirit in Tempe.
Inspired? Contact the Tempe Tourism Office to find your perfect venue. Reach our sales team or call 800-283-6734.
