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2011 Annual Conference

Destination Information

The Premier Destination Resort in the American Southwest

Located in the high Sonoran Desert on an expanse of rugged Arizona landscape where the ancient vistas, mountains and roaming wild horses remain untouched, the Wild Horse Pass Resort offers an inspirational experience. A unique blend of two cultures, Wild Horse Pass offers the quiet serenity created by the ancient sages and native tribes who found haven here, along with the high-tech hotel expertise of the Sheraton brand.

On the premises, you can enjoy the 2-1/2 mile replica of the Gila River that meanders through the resort grounds with scenic boat rides that shuttle guests to a multitude of activities including the Whirlwind Golf Club and nearby Rawhide Western Town. Beyond the Wild Horse Pass area, Arizona offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy art, culture, history and incredible natural wonders.

ON-SITE ATTRACTIONS

Whirlwind Golf Club
Experience this truly unique Southwest golf experience sensitively designed to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Gila River Indian Community. Surrounded by spectacular mountains and managed by Troon Golf, this unique golf venue is also home to the PGA's annual Nationwide Insurance Tour Gila River Golf Classic.

The two courses, Devil's Claw and Cattail, are masterpieces developed by Gary Panks that will impress and challenge golfers of all skill levels. Featuring pristine and uncluttered views of the Sierra Estrella Mountains, the courses showcase the beauty of the natural terrain.

Aji Spa & Salon
Aji, meaning "Sanctuary" in the Pima language is appropriately named after the nearby Aji Mountain located on the Gila River Indian Community where women and children would go in times of war. Aji Mountain is still one of the Community's most sacred treasures and fittingly, Aji Spa is where sacred Pima and Maricopa traditions are practiced and shared. Offering the only authentic Native American spa menu in existence, the Indigenous Collection features treatments and activities designed and practiced by Aji's Pima and Maricopa Cultural Caretakers. The ancient Pima and Maricopa cultures are also showcased throughout the spa in design elements, artwork, architecture and shared legends.

Sivlik Grill
The new clubhouse restaurant offers a unique dining experience including creative cuisine, picturesque desert views and mountain vistas and the opportunity to enjoy a boat cruise from the restaurant to the resort along the Gila River.

Bird Golf Academy
Get one-on-one attention from award-winning PGA and LPGA professionals with daily on-course lessons. Our instructors include a U.S. Open winner and two-time LPGA champion, a PGA Master professional, the founder of Golf For Women Magazine, the 1989 LPGA Teacher of the Year, and various other Hall of Fame members.

Koli Equestrian Center
Ride horseback on ancient tribal land in this unique equestrian experience. Truly an adventure that will take you back in time, Koli offers an array of options for a Western adventure.

Rawhide
Indulge your imagination with this authentic replica of an 1880s Frontier Town. Rawhide will put you in the middle of the action with cowboys, gunfights, stagecoach rides, retail shops and Western attractions.

AREA ATTRACTIONS

Enjoy arts, culture, history and incredible natural wonders all within close range of Wild Horse Pass. The following activities range from nearby shopping, sports and natural parks to road trips to some of the most unique locations in the world, as well as to the vibrant downtown Phoenix area:

Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving
Take a spin on a multi-million dollar racing enterprise. The Bondurant School is the world's finest driving school featuring a 15-turn, 1.6-mile road course, specifically designed by Bob Bondurant for high performance race driving and advanced driving instruction. Just one mile from the resort.

Firebird International Raceway
Hit this NHRA-certified racetrack for various types of local and national events including Club Racing, Indy Car Testing, Tent Sales, RV and Boat Shows, and a range of family entertainment shows. Just one mile from the resort.

HuHugam Heritage Center
Learn the history, culture and language of the peoples of the Gila River Indian Community and the ancient Huhugam through exhibitions, classes, programs and its art collections. Just two miles from the resort.

Chandler Fashion Center
Shop your heart out at Dillard's, Nordstrom, Robinsons-May, Sears and 150 other specialty shops. Just three miles from the resort.

Chandler Pavilions/Casa Paloma
Enjoy some shopping, dining and recreation in a decidedly upscale setting. Trendsetters will find the latest fashions at Talbots, White House/Black Market, Ann Taylor and Banana Republic. Just three miles from the resort.

Arizona Mills Mall
And then, shop some more! This dynamic mix of more than 175 value retailers, restaurants and entertainment, features favorite names such as Neiman Marcus Last Call, Levi's Outlet by Most, Kenneth Cole New York, Virgin Megastore and Hilo Hattie and The Store of Hawaii. Located eight miles from the resort.

Desert Botanical Garden
Step into a natural paradise! Nestled amid the red buttes of Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Garden hosts one of the world's finest collections of desert plants. One of only 44 botanical gardens accredited by the American Association of Museums, this one-of-a-kind museum showcases 50 acres of beautiful outdoor exhibits. Located 14 miles from the resort.

The Phoenix Zoo
Visit the beautiful Phoenix Zoo, home to over 1,200 animals. Centrally located in the Phoenix metro area, the Phoenix Zoo offers an exciting array of animal exhibits, unique special events, educational programs and outdoor recreational activities for people of all ages. Located 14 miles from the resort.

Old Town Scottsdale
Take in some of the finest galleries, specialty retail, cultural attractions and dining in the Valley of the Sun. Downtown Scottsdale is at the heart of the city's art scene, with contemporary and Western art, theatre and a wide variety of outdoor sculptures set amid the lush green lawns and sparkling fountains of Civic Center Mall.

Scottsdale's Arts District is home to a high concentration of galleries showcasing some of the best Western and Southwestern art in the country. Throughout "Old Town," shopkeepers sell quality Native American crafts, offering everything from hand-woven Navajo rugs to Zuni silver jewelry. Located 15 miles from the resort.

US Airways Center
Referred to as "Purple Palace," or "The House That Jerry Built" (in deference to Phoenix Suns' former owner Jerry Colangelo), the enormous US Airways Center possesses an eardrum-splitting sound system and more than 16,000 seats for howling Phoenix fans. Located 18 miles from the resort.

Arizona Science Center
Experience the sciences and technologies that flourish in Arizona through more than 300 hands-on exhibits in five themed galleries as well as featured changing exhibitions. Located 18 miles from the resort.

Chase Field
Home to the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chase Field is the only facility in the world that combines a retractable roof, air conditioning and a natural turf field. This unique combination makes Chase Field the ideal venue for a wide variety of events at any given time of year. Located 18 miles from the resort.

Heritage & Science Park
Heritage & Science Park is a City of Phoenix Park, which consists of Historic Heritage Square (home of the 1895 Rosson House and various historic buildings that house museums and restaurants), Phoenix Museum of History and The Arizona Science Center. Located 18 miles from the resort.

The Heard Museum
Learn about the art and cultures of Native people of the Southwest. With nearly 40,000 pieces of art and artifacts in its permanent collection, 10 long-term and changing exhibition galleries, an education center, an award-winning Shop and The Café at the Heard Museum, the 80-year-old museum is a place of learning, discovery and unforgettable experiences. Located 19 miles from the resort.

Comerica Theatre
Enjoy a concert, Broadway show, family stage show, or boxing match at this state-of-the-art entertainment venue. Located 19 miles from the resort.

Herberger Theatre
Catch a performing arts show at the Herberger Theater Center, home of the Actors Theatre, the Arizona Theatre Company, the Center Dance Ensemble, the Valley Youth Theatre and iTheatre Collaborative. Located 19 miles from the resort.

The Orpheum Theater
The Orpheum Theatre is an internationally recognized showcase for arts and entertainment. It is home to music, dance, drama, comedy and everything in between, as the Orpheum's first-rate acoustics, equipment and accommodations for both the performers and patrons are without peer. The state-of-the-art theater is one of Arizona's most beautiful and storied venues for arts and entertainment and is recognized as one of the most outstanding facilities for live entertainment in the great Southwest. Located 19 miles from the resort.

Phoenix Art Museum
Phoenix Art Museum's collection includes almost 16,000 artworks that span the centuries. Emphasis is on American, Asian, European, Latin American, Modern and Contemporary, and Western American art, as well as some Fashion Design and historic interiors. Located 20 miles from the resort.

*Information is subject to change. Please verify with the individual businesses before your visit.