William Board’s Preview of the OUT of HOME
Media Conference and Expo 2020 Venue—GO2020
Last month a group of OOH Industry leaders met in Phoenix for a planning meeting of the GO2020 OOH Conference and Expo at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge. More about the conference agenda and what to expect will follow in the next few weeks.
For starters, allow me to share my observations of the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge.
I arrived a day early and stayed a day later. Just to check the place out. Bars, restaurants, pools, rooms, fitness facilities and of course golf, are all what one might expect for a JW Marriott Resort. I am not a travel writer so the superlatives will be short. The place beats any of the last Conference venues/hotels in at least the last 10 years, going back to perhaps the last time we were in Phoenix or maybe the one in Palm Springs. My digression is to emphasize it is worth a few extra days pre or post conference. And while there, if you must leave the ‘campus’, visit Old Town Scottsdale.
The Wildfire golf club, its a club and not a course, has 36 holes. One 18, designed by Nick Faldo and the other Arnold Palmer. Beautiful course. I recall playing their back in the day, with Dave Matera, Dave Lamberger and Tim Stauning. If I recall correctly, that is where we played, the story I recall vividly, Stauning who I had just met for the first time, was killing it. Beating everyone. And the two Dave’s play well. After Stauning’s last birdie, leading everyone by 5 strokes and on the next green in regulation, I asked him if he ever ‘five’ putted. Not something you ask someone you just met. He did not answer. Ended up with a triple bogie. It was tough green. I thought it was funny. He may not remember it that way. We have an official conference sanctioned golf outing this year! About time!
A word on the bars, not because we drink, well maybe a little, but it serves as the meeting points for after hours ‘networking’, there appears to be enough places to belly up to and ample space to do it. The resort manger who gave the nickle tour, indicated he may be able to keep the bars open late. I seem to recall 2 AM but do not hold me to that. Just remember you have to make the 8 AM conference opening roll call the next day.
The Conference is April 27 through 29. I highly recommend early arrival the weekend before or the weekend after and bring your significant other. Sign up early. I expect rooms at the conference rate will sell out. This is not the place you want to stay off campus for, even if it’s too save a buck or two. Register now.
Quick check-offs.
Spa- Excellent and quiet.
Food and Restaurants- All Very good. I did not eat at Roy’s Pacific Rim
Bars- Plenty and Top Shelf! Try the $180 shot of 23 Year Old Pappy.
Pools -Superior.
Rooms-Restful Relaxing.
Layout- Walks to meetings will be relatively short. Relative to say last year’s Vegas room to conference distance. Plenty of public areas to sit and talk.
Staff/Service-Over the top, out of their way helpful.
Meeting rooms/Convention areas- huge! Exhibitors and attendees will appreciate and they will be close to each other.
Starbucks-Yes and stand alone
Trans- Uber from the airport
Register- www.go2020ooh.com
Enjoy the 1:55 video below.
