2020 Arizona Governor’s Conference On Tourism

July 22-24, 2020
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
5402 E. Lincoln Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85253

The Arizona Governor’s Conference on Tourism is the premier educational and networking event in the state for travel professionals and destination marketers.

Tourism is Arizona’s No. 1 export industry, and each year GCOT provides its attendees the opportunity to exchange ideas with peers, learn from expert panelists, draw inspiration from nationally renowned speakers, and discover cutting-edge products and services.

In addition to professional development, GCOT is an occasion to celebrate.

The Taste of Arizona Reception—the conference’s official welcome gathering—is a social dine-around that showcases cuisine from some of Arizona’s best chefs and restaurants.

And the Governor’s Tourism Awards Gala, which brings Day 2’s activities to a festive close, recognizes the achievements of the marketers, ambassadors and innovators who each year propel Arizona’s travel industry to new heights.

Questions? Please contact us at (602) 542-0065 or info@azgcot.com

Registration

Registration for 2020 GCOT is available now.

Early Bird: $375 available through May 31st

Full Conference: $425

For more information or questions, please contact us at:
info@azgcot.com

Events & Activities

Taste of Arizona Reception

Usher in GCOT 2020 with your travel-industry peers at this casual networking event and dine-around, which showcases cuisine and beverages from some of Arizona’s best restaurants, resorts and F&B purveyors. The conference’s opening evening also features a silent auction and sponsor exhibits.

Hosted by the Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association

Governor’s Tourism Awards Gala

The Governor’s Tourism Awards Gala—featuring a reception and sit-down dinner—brings together attendees, exhibitors, speakers and sponsors for an evening of networking and celebration. This is where the coveted Governor’s Tourism Awards are bestowed on the individuals, communities and organizations that have elevated Arizona’s tourism industry during the course of the past year. The Arizona Office of Tourism presents the Governor’s Tourism Awards to recognize outstanding accomplishments by individuals, communities and organizations within Arizona’s travel-and-hospitality industry.

Nominations are will be open soon!

2019 Governor’s Tourism Award Winners

Outstanding Marketing Campaign – Rural – City of Surprise, Find Your Surprise

Outstanding Marketing Campaign – Urban – The Phoenician, Fire & Ice

Outstanding Tourism Partnership – Rural – Flagstaff Lunr Legacy

Outstanding Tourism Partnership – Urban – Milwaukee Brewers and Grand Canyon University

Outstanding Arizona Culture and Historic Preservation – Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, Sedona Sustainability Tourism Plan

Tourism Spirit of Service – Individual – Bob Lutes

Tourism Spirit of Service – Group – Arizona Outback Adventures

Tourism Hall of Fame – Jody Harwood, Grace Hospitality

2020 GCOT Silent Auction

Highlight your business or hotel to conference attendees by donating to the 2020 GCOT Silent Auction. All proceeds benefit the Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association. Donation form will be available soon.

Accommodations

JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
5402 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85253

JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa prides itself on providing guests with attentive service, deluxe amenities, heated outdoor pools, garden terraces and desert trails in the Sonoran Desert. Take the complimentary shuttle to the 18-hole championship golf courses, or treat yourself to a refreshing massage in the tranquil day spa.

The conference room block will be available soon.

2019 Conference Schedule

Updates will be made when available for 2020, please review below for previous event’s structure.

Monday, July 22, 2019

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Continental Breakfast with the Exhibitors | 7:30 a.m.
General Session: AOT Update, Debbie Johnson| 8:45 a.m.
General Session: The Irresistible Power of Strategic Storytelling, Kindra Hall | 9:15 a.m.
Morning Break |10:30 a.m.

Concurrent Workshop Sessions |11:00 a.m.
The Irresistible Power of Strategic Storytelling Sales Breakout
Communicating Through a Crisis: Making Sound Decisions When Disaster Strikes
It Takes a Village (and a vision): The Essential First Steps to Building a Tourism Program
Branding Through the Visitor Experience

Conference Luncheon: Tourism Tuesday Trivia |12:00 p.m.

Concurrent Workshop Sessions|2:00 p.m.
Mobile Location Data and the Arizona County Visitor
California’s New Privacy Law – How to Comply and Why It’s Important
What Are They Thinking? An Interactive Workshop on Visitor Perception
FAM Foundations: Get the Results You Want From Trade & Media Familiarization Tours

Afternoon Break |3:00 p.m.

Concurrent Workshop Sessions|3:30 p.m.
How to Use Social Media Insights and Tools to Propel Growth
From the Eye of the Consumer – Effective Advertising
Five Ways to Make Friends with Google
China Readiness 2.0

Conference Reception | 5:00 p.m.
Governor’s Tourism Awards Gala | 6:00 p.m.
Attire: Don’t Forget to Wear Red!

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Continental Breakfast with the Exhibitors | 7:45 a.m.

Industry Roundtables | 8:00 a.m.
Attractions
Outdoor Recreation
Hotel / Lodging
Visitor’s Services

General Session: Leading Relationships, Steve McClatchy | 9:00 a.m.
Morning Break |10:15 a.m.
Closing Conference General Session: What’s Your Destination Story, Trevor Meers | 10:45 a.m.

2020 Speakers

To Be Announced

Sponsorship Information

Sponsorship Opportunities & Information For The
2020 Arizona Governor’s Conference On Tourism

Become a sponsor and take advantage of a full spectrum of cost-effective exhibition and advertising opportunities.

The multi-tiered sponsorship program for GCOT 2020 allows organizations to choose the exposure opportunity that best suits their budget and promotional needs. All sponsorship levels are cash-only participation and may be a cooperative partnership between no more than two organizations, each contributing an equal amount.