Pitch, Pour, Puff…

Experience the desert through a whole new perspective. The “Hummer”, named after the “Hum Vee”, takes guests to places in the Sonoran Desert that are inaccessible by any other vehicle. These all-terrain vehicles will conquer the rugged desert and mountains effortlessly while keeping passengers’ safety and comfort a priority. The trail will take guests to nearly 4,000 feet in elevation with views of Arizona’s geological mysteries such as Four Peaks, Goldfield Mountain, Superstition Mountain, Weaver’s Needle and Saguaro Lake. The hummers will climb over the rocks, boulder formations and hills and take guests to the “sand trap” in the desert. Here is where even more fun begins. Each guest will be given one cigar to enjoy by choosing from our travel humidor. The guide will have cutters and lighters. We will provide sand wedges and golf balls and one-by-one guests will have 3 shots to get closest to the pin. The winner of the contest receives an additional cigar as a gift (and bragging rights).

While the “Pitching” event is taking place, the “Pour” portion of the tour will begin. In a souvenir shot glass guests will receive a pour of one shot to enjoy with their cigars. Guests will then load back up with their cigars and head back to the city having enjoyed this great visual memory and Hummer experience!

Get Hooked Up!

Have your guests been dreaming of that fish of a lifetime? From the exhilaration of high-speed travel on a tournament rigged Bass boat, to the breathtaking scenery of the Sonoran Desert’s waterways, nothing beats the excitement and thrill of landing that perfect fish.

In addition to the gorgeous scenery and spectacular desert backdrops, Arizona lakes offer some of the best bass fishing found anywhere in the southwest. With four incredible lakes to choose from, there is a fishery suited for every condition, season, and skill level. Each trip is designed to offer guests the opportunity to join in the adventure at their comfort level. The knowledgeable guides will have the beginners fishing like the pros, and the pros grinning from ear to ear with excitement. Each guide is not only a skilled fisherman, but also an expert on the flora and fauna of the desert, as well as on the native history of Arizona, and are excited to share their knowledge with eager guests.

Everything guests need for a memorable day on the water will be provided including a traveling “beer and bait shop” equipped with a full service bar. Whether your guest’s preference is casting, spinning, or fly-fishing, this trip is sure to fill the day with lots of action and excitement! Just something different for our Arizona guests.

Desert Oasis

Sleek and smooth, yet elegant and sophisticated – this Desert Oasis has something for everyone! Replete with billowing, white fabrics, retro furniture groupings and lounge style entertainment, this is an event to remember. As guests enter the event space they will be immersed in an exclusive desert oasis surrounded by various shades of white with accents of shocking turquoise. Elevated cocktail tables are draped in white floor length linens and topped with glittering votive candles setting the tone for this cool foray into the desert night.

Guests will be further encompassed by the theme as they dine at tables dressed in white linens with turquoise satin napkins and centerpieces of bright blue gerbera daisies in glass vases with blue tinted water. Furniture groupings of canopied event beds frame the dance floor. Bold blue lighting enhances the perimeter of the space while a solo pianist brings a sense of modern elegance to the evening.

This timeless evening may be enhanced by adding a six-sided island glow bar illuminated in blue, or a stage of white sails on a truss with glass block skirting all lit in blue. Add a sense of a cool oasis in the desert with ice bars or a dynamic live ice carving performance! This evening of classically cool décor and entertainment creates a sizzling effect.

Spanish Sensation

Bienvenidos a España! Guests will be immersed in Spanish/Calypso traditions this evening. The night begins as guests pass beneath the lushly decorated arched entry, welcomed by the inviting sounds of a Marimba duo. Elevated cocktail tables in vibrant red linens alit with votive candles set the tone for this dramatic tropical scene.

The event space is alive with vivid hues of reds, greens, yellows and purple lighting splashed on perimeter foliage and décor items. Tall, standing candelabras are scattered throughout the event adding a warm glow to the evening. Dinner is served to the sounds of a 5-piece Salsa Band, performing red-hot instrumental Latin jazz, and Salsa music. Tables are dressed in alternating red and black linens topped with coordinating red and black napkins. Alternating centerpieces of bold wrought iron accented with red florals and votive candles complete each tablescape.

This exciting event may be enhanced by adding a six-sided glowing island bar in a variety of colors, or dramatic 20’, larger than life palm trees uplit in shocking hues. A 28’ staging background of brightly colored tiered panels with bold geometric designs in shades of pink turquoise, lime, purple and canary perfectly frames the evenings’ entertainment, while the breathtaking fire performer and salsa dance instructors turn up the heat in this exclusive island hide-away!

Marrakesh Market

Guests enter a world of color and life in our version of a Marrakesh Market. This evening will delight and thrill with the excitement and vitality of a marketplace alive with culture. The other-worldly theme begins as guests pass through a spectacular golden domed entry. Highboy cocktail tables are draped in deep purple floor length linens and topped with glittering votive candles setting the tone of a night of rich elegance.

Guests will be further encompassed by the theme as they dine at tables dressed in alternating purple and gold satin floor length linens with coordinating satin napkins and gold chivari chairs. A hookah lounge replete with hookah props and a seating arrangement stands sentry near the dance floor. Bold, jewel toned perimeter lighting bathes the room in a warm glow while costumed belly dancers enthrall guests with their age old dance.

This exciting evening may be enhanced by adding a stage set of stardrop drape with palladium windows backdrop and golden palm trees to lend just the right touch of exotic class to any presentation. Beautifully inlaid accordion screens with mosaic detail and bold drape dress up the buffet area, while 10’ grand living palm trees along the perimeter give the feel of an Arabian night. A tarot card reader in her own tented parlor will give guests a glimpse into the future of this spectacular evening!

Primal Nights

Enter a mystical world of rhythm and light as the native drum beats and intricate décor transport guests to a bygone era of adventure and mystery. Guests will pass through a custom jungle entrance, and be awestruck by a feeling of having stepped into the African Jungle. Reception entertainment is truly captivating as a troop of costumed African drummers take to the stage and beat out infectious rhythms that are sure to engage even the most reserved in the group. Our drummers will bring along extra drums in case some of the guests would like to join into this powerfully percussive art form.

A large treehouse with thatched roof hut on bamboo stilts surrounded by plant scaping frames the DJ booth, while bartenders offer guests exotic drinks from thatched roofed huts. The upgraded lighting package creates a sense of mystery with foggy haze and multicolored lighting.

Elevated cocktail tables are draped in black floor length linens with glittering candles. Dinner tables are dressed in floor length black underlays with overlays of alternating zebra, cheetah, and palm fronds prints, complimented by black napkins, topped with centerpieces of exotic African florals and surrounded by ballroom chairs cloaked in black chair covers with coordinating black ties.

This event may be enhanced by adding a dynamic zebra paneled stage set with a stardrop background or an oversized enchanted tree to fill the center of the ballroom and bring the outdoors in. A lush plant package adds to the exotic safari atmosphere, as do lush vignettes with animal cutouts which may be added to fill in the perimeter of the space. A large hand painted backdrop, depicting a safari scene with plantscaping may also be added to the perimeter. This is sure to be an event to remember as guests explore their primal nature in this unique safari setting.

Arabian Horse Ranch Tour

Steeped in tradition and ancient history, the Arabian Horse is considered a living work of art. Here, in the serene Sonoran Desert, guests have the opportunity to experience the charisma and mystique of these magnificent animals.

As a world-renowned leader in the Arabian Horse Industry, the ranch’s beautifully manicured environment makes for a wonderful day tour. Guests will explore the facility, while a knowledgeable guide discusses the daily operations including grooming and exercising, health care, equipment, breeding programs and maternity ward. Guests will then be treated to a magnificent preview of some of the residents of this fascinating horse ranch. This unique venue is also available for dinner functions.

Rocks and Ruins

Experience the stunning landscapes of the Sonoran desert and discover the amazing archaeology and geology that help make the Valley of the Sun unique! Drive along the scenic rock formations on Camelback Mountain that are separated by over a billion years of geologic time. View evidence of ancient cataclysmic landslides at Papago Park, where rock formations have been weathered into very photogenic shapes. Visit one of the West’s most unusual geologic structures at South Mountain and look down upon the Phoenix Valley from its highest accessible viewpoint.

After enjoying these amazing geological sites, explore one of the area's largest sets of prehistoric ruins, the great platform mound at a unique archaeological site and museum. The visible walls were built more than 600 years ago when the valley served as the fertile heartland of the Hohokam people. These prehistoric people lived in central and southern Arizona from about AD 1 to 1450. The Museum is dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of other cultures past and present.

Desert Canyons by Land and Steam

Guests should bring their cameras along to capture scenes from a day they won’t want to forget! As guests explore the first few miles of the Apache Trail, they will experience the beauty of the pristine desert, Superstition Mountains, the unmatched wonder, and views of one of Arizona’s larger lakes and a stop in Tortilla Flats for the last authentic remnants of the old west.

First, guests will travel through Tonto’s National Forest to Tortilla Flats nestled against the Superstition Mountains. At the Tortilla Flats Saloon enjoy an authentic “old western” lunch, cold sarsaparilla, and live entertainment performed by the Tortilla Flats Band. Then take time to explore with a stroll down the boardwalk, where guests will find an old fashioned Ice Cream-Candy Parlor where they may wish to sample a taste of world famous prickly pear cactus ice cream.

For the continuation of the tour, guests will view the natural miracles of the Apache Trail to a picturesque stop at the lake. Then all aboard the steamboat for the highlight of the day! Sit back and relax as the cruise along the scenic Canyon invites soaking in the natural beauty of Arizona’s Canyon Lake. A historical book or gift of Native carved fetish completes this experience.

PRA Arizona will coordinate a variety of transportation options from airport sedan transfers to luxury limousine dine-arounds. A high-quality experience for each guest is guaranteed every time.

PRA Arizona offers a wide range of ground and air transportation alternatives.

Sedan (1-3 passengers)
Pedi-Cabs (2-5 passengers)
Limousine (6 and 10 passengers)
Hummer limousines (18-20 passengers)
Standard and Turtle-Top Van (13-14 passengers)
Minicoach (27, 31 and 35 passengers)
Trolley (34 passengers)
Motorcoach (47, 50, 55 and 58 passengers)

Here We Grow Again…...

The Phoenix Convention Center is in stage two of a $600 million dollar expansion, which will triple its size, offering nearly 900,000 square feet of functional space. Phase one of the expansion was completed this summer with the second phase slated to open in late 2008. Highlights of the new structure include an impressive, 140 foot glass atrium that welcomes delegates into a gathering place reminiscent of the Grand Canyon. The center offers a unique business culture that strikes a balance between the state-of-the-art facilities and an exciting location within Copper Square, the cultural heart of downtown Phoenix.

Diamonds in the Desert

Kai, a signature restaurant in Chandler, AZ, on the Gila River Indian Reservation, becomes the first Native American-owned establishment to earn the coveted Five Diamond Award from the American Automobile Association. Since Kai opened in October of 2002, executive chef Michael O’Dowd and consulting Chef Janos Wilder worked with Gila River Farms and Gila Crossing Elementary Schools to incorporate locally grown and indigenous ingredients into the menu. The dining experience at Kai is enhanced by details such as Reidel Sommelier glassware, one-of-a-kind menus featuring watercolor paintings by Tribal artists, and a staff who greet guests in the traditional Pima language. Come experience the flavor of the Native Southwest.

On the Boardwalk

After 10 years of planning, the Scottsdale Waterfront and SouthBridge are set for completion in 2007. SouthBridge, an urban development along the south bank of Scottsdale’s ancient irrigation canal system, is Arizona’s newest urban district set to rival the likes of the San Antonio Riverwalk, The French Quarter and SoHo. The future borough is the long-time vision of developer Fred Unger who will build a one-of-a-kind community that brings together elite high-fashion boutiques, independent shops, celebrated cuisine, dynamic cultural festivals and art. The Scottsdale Waterfront features ample public open space, an outdoor amphitheater, and public art and recreation paths along the canal. Paths and desert landscaping surround the Waterfront in addition to a pedestrian-only bridge crossing the canal, linking the Waterfront to Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, Scottsdale’s famous Fifth Avenue shopping district and SouthBridge. The Waterfront area brings urban chic to an already “hot” Arizona destination.