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About SAAA

Founded formally in 1999, the Southern Arizona Attractions Alliance, a 501 (c)(6) non-profit organization, was created to develop innovative marketing techniques in collaboration with other Arizona tourism boards to enhance awareness of the variety of educational , recreational and entertainment activities available in our communities to cooperatively promote tourism and visitation in southern Arizona. Founding organizations included Old Tucson, Arizona Aerospace Foundation, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson Museum of Art and Visit Tucson (MTCVB).

Arizona Attractions Mission

The mission of the Arizona Attractions Alliance, a non-profit  organization, is to provide awareness to the general public about the variety of entertaining, educational and recreational attractions operating in state of Arizona, USA and develop economic and workforce assistance programs. Arizona attractions contribute to the overall economic value of their region and to the state of Arizona. (501 (c)(3) application in progress)

Visit Tucson logo
UA Attractions logo

Primary Marketing Vehicles

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  • Tucson Attractions Passport

  • Tucson Attractions Map Brochure

  • Tucson Attractions Website

  • VIsitWidget – A planning ad for the Desktop and a app for your Smartphone

  • Social Media Postings

  • Co-Operative Advertising and Outreach/Advocacy

  • Annual Meeting with educational programming

  • Ambassador Showcase of the Attractions

 

Education/Professional Development

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  • Monthly Meetings

  • Monthly Educational Topic

  • SAAA Pledge of Practice

  • Annual Meeting of Attractions

 

Advocacy

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  • Protect the interests of the Southern Arizona Attractions

  • Partner with DMO’s, local and state governments, Chambers, Cultural Organizations and others

 

OUR 2024/2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Officers:

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  • President: Peter Tsai, HelmsBrisco

  • Vice President:  Stan Martin, Tucson Wagon and History Museum

  • Secretary: Katie Yaeli, The Play District

  • Treasurer: Peter Tsai, MicroVacations

 

Board Directors/Committee Chairs:

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  • Marketing: Katie Bailey, Publisher/Owner, Tucson Guide Magazine; Non-Board Members: Joan Lee, Linda Fahey, Nick Letson

  • Membership: Peter Tsai, MicroVacations (At-Large Director)

  • Outreach: Pamela Traficanti, Visit Tucson, Tamara McElwee (Mack), Arizona Historical Society (At-Large Director)

  • Stan Martin, Tucson Wagon and Western History Museum

  • Staff:

 

MEMBERSHIP KIT

 

Membership is open to attractions and businesses involved in tourism located in southern Arizona.

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MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

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The SAAA has membership meetings are mostly on the second Thursday of the month, except Showcase and Holiday Function. Most meetings begin at 8:30 am and are held at various attractions and member locations throughout Tucson. Attraction co-workers, guests and prospective members are encouraged to attend.  Most meetings have an educational program.

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NEW 2024 MEETING AND EDUCATION SCHEDULE!
OPEN TO ALL MEMBER ATTRACTIONS AND GUESTS

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PAST

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January 18…Virtual Meeting on the SAAA 25th Anniversary and Program Initiatives.
February 8...SAACA Catalyst, 8:30 – 10 am, Program: Networking – Meeting Your Goals in a Networking Session, Stacy Fowler, Tucson Networking
March 14……25th Annual Fiesta Celebration, Award Ceremony, Old Tucson, 8 – 10 am, Program: AI: Becoming an Extra-Ordinary Person with AI
April 11…”Tourism, Community, and Storytelling in the Age of AI,” a hands-on session where attendees will learn the potential of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Adobe Firefly for business content creation being held at the Arizona History Museum on April 11 beginning at 9 am.  Register Here!

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