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

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 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.

2020 Conference Schedule

Updates will be made as more details are finalized for 2020

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Registration Opens | 3:00 p.m.
General Session: Arizona Travel Update: Industry Performance and Responsible Tourism| 4:00 p.m.
Taste of Arizona Reception | 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 24, 2020

Continental Breakfast with the Exhibitors | 7:30 a.m.
General Session: AOT Update, Debbie Johnson| 8:45 a.m.
General Session: Break the Wheel, Jay Acunzo | 9:15 a.m.
Morning Break |10:30 a.m.

Concurrent Workshop Sessions |11:00 a.m.
How to Include Leave No Trace Principles into your Marketing
Building a Content Marketing Framework
Building Relationships Through Diversity

Conference Luncheon |12:00 p.m.

Concurrent Workshop Sessions|2:00 p.m.
It Takes a Village (and a Vision) 2.0
Mobile Location Data 2.0
How to Successfully Work with OTAs and Receptives
Video Content Best Practices

Afternoon Break |3:00 p.m.

Concurrent Workshop Sessions|3:30 p.m.
Pitch Perfect: Insider Tips on Getting Coverage in Non-Travel Media
Must Love the Outdoors
Insights for Your International Initiatives

Conference Reception | 5:00 p.m.
Governor’s Tourism Awards Gala | 6:00 p.m.

Friday, July 24, 2020

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 | 9:00 a.m.
Morning Break |10:15 a.m.
Closing Conference General Session | 10:45 a.m.

2020 Speakers

Jay Acunzo

Jay Acunzo is the founder of Marketing Showrunners, author of the book Break the Wheel, and a decorated show host and executive producer. He’s a former Google digital media strategist, head of content at HubSpot, and Vice President of Content and Community at the VC firm NextView.

Courses at Harvard Business School have cited Jay’s work, as well as  writers at the New York Times, the Washington Post, FastCompany, Forbes, and more. He has been called a “creative savant” by Salesforce and  named to the city of Boston’s “50 on Fire” list.

Jay has produced more than a dozen original series in audio and video about creativity at work, including his narrative-style podcast, Unthinkable, and his work with innovative brand clients like Wistia, Drift, Help Scout, Flipboard, the Content Marketing Institute, and more.

In a world where “storyteller” has become a buzzword, Jay has earned a living by understanding how to tell actual stories — emotional tales of people and teams doing their best work that help inspire others to push past conventional thinking in their work.

Sponsorship Information

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