Activate

Our supplier partner event is laser focused on making connections and facilitating commerce.

Have questions? Send them to Activate@maritz.com

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About Activate

Destination & Hotel

Agenda

Design Sponsors

Things
to Know

Event
Recap

About Activate

One event, countless connections

Activate brings together supplier partners and Maritz team members for networking, commerce, education and engagement. Through interactive sessions, thought leadership and bold experiments, we strive to spark new thinking and make connections that lead to mutually beneficial business outcomes.

With 300 Maritz team members and 350 supplier partners in attendance, Activate is the ideal environment for engaging with events industry peers, be it through, lively panel discussions, 1:1 appointments or down time in the hospitality space. Careful attention to our guest list and agenda ensures that you'll be able to connect with the decision makers you need to see.

About Activate

Destination & Hotel

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix

Where innovation meets natural beauty

The fifth-largest city in the United States, Phoenix spans 500 square miles and is comprised of 24 municipalities, each with a personality its own - and unique offerings to match. The downtown area, packed with professional sports, 200+ restaurants and a vibrant art and music scene, is surrounded by luxury resort areas, gorgeous golf courses, stunning desert vistas, mountain ranges and miles upon miles of rugged hiking trails. Swimming above it all is the perfectly blue sky for which Phoenix is famous.

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

An inspired desert experience

Activate guests will have the opportunity to take in everything the newly revitalized, award-winning JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa has to offer! Surrounded by the serene Sonoran Desert, this expansive oasis boasts every imaginable resort amenity (pools! spa! golf! pickleball!), plus premier meeting space, public areas and dining venues ideal for meeting up with industry friends and making new connections. At the end of each productive day, you'll retire to the comfort of your newly transformed guest room, the perfect place to rest and recharge.

Destination

Agenda

  • WED8/23/2023
  • THU8/24/2023
  • FRI8/25/2023
All Day

Arrivals

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Crossroads Hospitality Area
    Want to remain at the intersection of Connection and Commerce? This is your place! We'll have activations galore, beverages and snacks, conversation pits, working spaces and more. When you're not scheduled for something else, Crossroads is where you want to be.
  • Wellbeing Room
    Join our friends from Accor to learn and experience how the wellbeing space in the events industry is evolving to create better reach, more diverse offerings and opportunities to engage throughout each day. For ourselves and our guests, wellbeing is a vital element of modern events.
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
  • Lunch (optional)
    You certainly don't have to eat, but don't miss this great opportunity to advance relationships in an environment purpose-built for serendipitous connections.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Design Sponsor Showcase (Maritz)
    We're kicking off Activate by spotlighting those who make our event possible - our Design Sponsors! Maritz team members will participate in their choice of four focused, fast-paced 25- minute sessions highlighting what's new and what you need to know about each organization.
  • Behind the Curtain (Supplier Partners)
    This session is essential to supplier partners' success at Activate. Presented in two segments, “Sales Strategy: Today, Tomorrow, and in Two Years,” and “The Right Time: How and When to Engage in the Event Lifecycle,” each segment provides a peek behind the curtain, providing access to Maritz people, processes and resources. First our sales team will discuss trends by market, then our operations team takes the stage, with leaders for Sourcing, Proposal Development, Supplier Relations, DMO and Event Management discussing how each can add value and help ensure success. Each segment will include Q&A, some come prepared with your hard-hitting questions
5:15 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Launch!
    We "officially" launch the Activate brand during this brief, high-energy session that illustrates colorfully how and why the event brand came to life. We'll also provide a peek into how Activate will evolve and grow in future years. David Peckinpaugh will close out the session with exciting information about Maritz and what it means to you. Then, we're off!
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Mi Casa, Su Casa!
    Hosted at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa by Hello! Destination Management, this beautifully designed reception echoes the heritage of our destination in a modern take on Southwestern culture. Paired with delicious, locally sourced F&B, this laidback evening is ideal for connection and conversation.
All Day
  • Crossroads Hospitality Area
  • Wellbeing Room
6:00 AM - 8:00 AM
  • Breakfast
7:00 AM - 7:45 AM
  • ESN Coffee Connect (optional; supplier partners only)
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
  • The U.S. Hotel Industry in 2023
    Kicking off our day of commerce will be a brief presentation by Jan Freitag, National Director, Hospitality Analytics, CoStar Group, where he'll share the latest U.S. lodging data and his perspective on what it means for the events industry now and in the future. A popular speaker and Maritz favorite, Mr. Freitag is lauded for the fresh insights he provides, and appreciated for his clear, direct delivery.
9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
  • 1:1 Appointments
    You asked, we delivered. For most, scheduled 1:1 appointments are the most productive event element for activating commerce, providing focused conversations between supplier partners and Maritz buyers and influencers. Deals get advanced, relationships grow and everybody benefits as a result.
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Lunch on Flow
2:45 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Access Maritz & Giving Back Activity
    During this free-flowing event, Maritz team members will be strategically located throughout the event space in designated areas that align with their role (e.g. sales, sourcing, event management, ESN, etc.). Supplier partners can move throughout the space to connect with those people they may have otherwise missed. It's the perfect follow up to 1:1 appointments, with the added bonus of engaging with peers during a hands-on giving back activity benefiting the Phoenix Dream Center, a local organization dedicated to ending human trafficking.
5:30 PM PM
  • Departure Transfers Begin
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Put Up Your Duce!
    After a full day of commerce, it's time to kick back at one of downtown Phoenix's coolest and most popular nightspots: The Duce, a converted produce market with a colorful, casual and uber-hip vibe. Southwest Conference Planners has pulled out all the stops - prepare for games, music, mouthwatering food, refreshing beverages and a steady flow of connections. It's a fitting end to a great event.
All Day
  • Departures
  • Crossroads Hospitality Area
6:00 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Breakfast

Agenda

Design Sponsors

Maritz prides itself on building relationships with the best in the business. More than just providers, our design sponsors are creative, forward-thinking organizations that share our goal of advancing the events industry. We are grateful for the insight, partnership and financial support they provide to make Activate possible.

Encore
Hello! Destination Management
Heritage
Marriot
Southwest DMC
Visit Phoenix

Sponsors

Things to Know

To assist you in your planning, this page covers everything you need to know from A-Z to make the most out of Activate.

Arrival & Departure Transfers

Unless arranged separately, group airport transfers will be provided during the following times:

  • Arrivals - Wednesday, August 23 | 7 AM - 7 PM
  • Departures - Friday, August 25 | 3:30 AM - 1 PM
  • Arrival Information
    • Arrival transfers will be provided by Hello! Arizona
    • Hello! Arizona staff in purple polo shirts will meet guests at the bottom of the escalator in the baggage claim level of Phoenix International Airport
    • Hello! Arizona staff will direct guests to the appropriate baggage carousel, and then escort them to the waiting transportation, which will go directly to the hotel
    • Even if you did not check luggage, you must go to the baggage claim area to meet the Hello! Arizona and board transportation
    • If you do not see a greeter, call Molly Buckler at (623)-738-9539 for assistance
  • Departure Information
    • Departure transfers will be provided by Southwest Conference Planners (SWCP)
    • SWCP staff wearing bright green polos and black pants will be stationed at the Hotel Front Lobby (transfers prior to 6 AM) or the Lower-Level Ballroom Entrance (transfers between 6AM - 1PM)
    • Shuttles will load and go every 30 minutes at the top and bottom of the hour
    • The last departure shuttle will leave at 1 PM

Attire

Below you'll find an outline of the suggested attire for each day, as well as helpful definitions for each.

Wednesday, August 23 Thursday, August 24 Friday, August 25
Daytime Travel Attire Causal Business Attire Travel Attire
Evening Smart Casual Evening Attire Casual Attire N/A

Travel Attire: We're all pros here - your favorite travel outfit is more than fine for the daytime on Wednesday and Friday.

Smart Casual Evening Attire: For the Activate launch and our evening welcome event, think casual business attire, only more festive and fun!

Casual Business Attire: Thursday is all about business, and our attire will reflect that! We suggest dresses or tops with pants or a skirt for women, and dress pants with a collared shirt for the men (golf/polo shirts are appropriate and sport coats are optional). No denim, please.

Casual Attire: Our final night affair is extremely casual - sundresses, shorts, denim, T-shirts and the like are all more than appropriate. Our venue features indoor/outdoor space (with lots of air conditioning!) but keep Phoenix's summer temperatures in mind when packing.

Additional Attire Notes:

  • Comfortable shoes are a must.
  • Don't forget a sweater or jacket as meeting rooms can be chilly.
  • Pack workout attire if you plan to hit the fitness center or walk the resort grounds.

CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)

Maritz remains committed to continuing the fight against human trafficking. During our event, we have two ways you can help support our efforts:

  • During our Access Maritz event on Thursday afternoon, Activate guests will participate in a hands-on community service activity to benefit Phoenix Dream Center, a local organization dedicated to ending human trafficking. Guests will build care baskets for those being served by the center's residential life recovery programs and community engagement outreach services.
  • Throughout our stay, Maritz team members will be logging their activity as part of The Covering House 24,901-Mile Challenge. This activity challenge raises funds to help underage victims served by The Covering House, a St. Louis-based organization that provides residential and community-based services as well as a prevention program. We invite you to join Team Maritz, track your activity during Activate and help raise awareness (and funds) for victims of human trafficking.

F&B

Our goal is to provide all Activate guests with an inclusive, collaborative experience. The Activate agenda has all meal and break periods covered from lunch on Wednesday through breakfast on Friday, with multiple entertainment opportunities (and drinks!) throughout the event.

Gifting Policy

We firmly believe that our supplier partners' presence is the only present we need! However, if you wish to bring collateral or small gifts to your 1:1 appointments and/or sponsored activations, please keep the following in mind:

  • At Activate 2023, Maritz team members will be seated and supplier partners will rotate throughout the meeting space.
  • Per corporate policy, Maritz team members cannot accept gift cards of any denomination.

Hashtag It

There will be A LOT of cool things in Phoenix (Trust us.) If there's something you want to share on the socials, use the hashtag #MaritzActivate - and don't forget to tag @Maritz too!

Health Protocols

We will continue to follow all required facility, local, state and federal regulations with regard to health and safety during our event. Any pertinent information will be announced through notifications on the app.

Lanyard Colors

We are one Maritz, but comprised of many teams! To help know who's who, Maritz team members will be sporting colors specific to their role:

  • Lime Green - Sales
  • Light Blue - ESN
  • Purple - Sourcing & Proposal Development
  • Dark Pink - Event Management
  • White - Leadership, Supplier Relations & Staff

All supplier partners will wear Navy lanyards.

Mobile App

The mobile app has it all - event maps and activations, guest lists, details on Design Sponsors, the latest agenda and more. Be sure to check out Challenge Activated, our social game with great prizes!

Follow the instructions below to download the mobile app and enable notifications.

  1. Download the MobileEventHQ app from the Google PlayStore or Apple App Store, or click here from your phone
  2. Open the app and click Get started
  3. Enter the email address you used for registration and click Continue
  4. Check your email and enter the activation code in your app or click Activate MobileEventHQ App from the email on your phone
  5. Click the Activate event to access the contents of the app
  6. When prompted, click Allow for "MobileEventHQ" to send you notifications so you don't miss any on-site updates

Name Badge & Lanyard Recycling

Before departing on Friday, please consider dropping your name badge and lanyard into one of the labeled boxes located throughout the event space. The materials will then be sorted and recycled.

Questions

Please email Activate@maritz.com with any questions you may have, and we'll get back to you right away.

Water Bottles

Small changes can make big differences! In an effort to reduce single-use plastics, we ask that you bring your favorite water bottle and refill it at one of the many hydration stations available throughout our event space.

Weather

Phoenix is known as the "Valley of the Sun," so it should come as no surprise that August temps can be a bit toasty. Average temperatures during our stay will range from daytime highs in the low 100s to evening lows in mid-80s. Visit accuweather.com or weather.com for detailed information prior to your arrival.

Things to Know

Event Recap

Activate by the numbers

Activate+

Activate+ is a fully immersive destination education experience held in conjunction with Activate. Activate+ is more than just a FAM. It is powered by the Design Studio and offers Maritz team members the opportunity to do a deep dive into the Activate destination to see and experience what sets our MDP2 Design Sponsors (and their cities!) apart from the rest.

View the recap slides of Activate+ 2023, hosted by Visit Phoenix, here.

Giving Back

Thank you to all who helped during our Giving Back activity benefiting Phoenix Dream Center, a local organization dedicated to ending human trafficking. The Phoenix Dream Center is on a mission to stop human trafficking, end childhood hunger and educate tomorrows leaders. They do this through residential life recovery programs and community engagement outreach services.

With your help, we were able to put together a total of 430 welcome bags with a dollar value of $9,736.46!
Each welcome bag included a laundry bag, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, body wash, loofa, toothbrush, toothpaste, maxi pads, hair brush, hair ties and tissue paper. Every single bag we created went directly to a survivor in recovery.

Guest List

Download the guest lists below:

Photo Gallery

Thanks to our partners at Red Button for capturing some great photos of the event. Check out the Activate event photos here. Take a look on your phone and check out the facial recognition feature to easily find yourself!

Presentations

Activate featured guest speakers, market updates, supplier partner sessions, as well as a general session with Maritz leadership. Below are some presentations you may find of interest.

Event Recap