Year-round sunshine and mild autumn temperatures make Phoenix an ideal location for E-Learn 2003. This premier desert city is located 1,117 feet above sea level and the weather is warm, sunny and usually dry.

Attractions/nightlife/performing arts: A variety of museums offer indigenous history and art, as well as imported works. The Heard Museum in downtown Phoenix is well known for its Native American art exhibits. The Phoenix Art Museum, host of the Cowboy Artists Show, has a permanent collection of 16,000 paintings, sculptures, costumes and other works of art from the 15th through 20th centuries. Other interesting and informative museums are the Arizona Science Center, the Phoenix Museum of History, the Hall of Flame Fire Fighting Museum, Scottsdale Center for the Arts and the Champlin Fighter Aircraft Museum.

With 20 theater groups in the area, there is no shortage of entertainment. Phoenix offers everything from Broadway plays to lyric opera. The Herberger Theater Center plays host to many fine performances, including Ballet Arizona, the Arizona Opera Company and the Arizona Theatre Company.

The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra has been performing for more than 35 years with a season that runs from fall through spring. There are many opportunities to enjoy other music as well, including rock, jazz, country and more.

Sightseeing: Arizona is known for its contrasts. Visitors will see everything from northern Arizona's tall, cool pines to the cactus-filled scenery of the Sonoran Desert. And if there's a "must-see," it's Arizona's majestic Grand Canyon, one of the world's seven natural wonders. This breathtaking sight is open year-round and may be experienced through nature walks or mule rides into the Canyon, or by taking a leisurely drive along its outer edges. Before reaching the Grand Canyon, be sure to stop at Sedona, a cultural community providing a wide array of boutiques and art galleries selling everything from Native American and Southwestern arts and crafts to fine jewelry.

Arizona also is home to Lake Powell on the northern border. Lake Powell is 186 miles long and has more miles of shoreline than the entire Pacific coast of the United States. The lake, which extends into southern Utah. Located in eastern Arizona, the White Mountains stand at an elevation of some 9,000 feet. The White Mountains are rich in trout-stocked lakes. With temperatures about 30 degrees cooler than Phoenix.

Other scenic trips worth taking include venturing to: Prescott - site of the historic 1857 John C. Fremont House, the first territorial governor's mansion, and Whiskey Row; Apache Trail - a world-famous trail that twists through the Superstition Mountains and was once traveled by the Apache Indians; and Montezuma's Castle - a 12th-century Aztec-designed dwelling carved into a steep cliff, once inhabited by the Pueblo Indians.

These destinations can be reached in as a few hours by car from Phoenix.

Activities: With so many sunshine-filled days, Phoenix is the perfect place to experience a range of outdoor activities. Horseback riding is a great way to see the spectacular Sonoran Desert, as is a rugged jeep ride. Spending an afternoon tubing or rafting the Verde or Salt rivers is another way to enjoy the outdoors. For the thrill seeker, a glider or hot-air balloon flight will take you high above the desert plateau and offer splendid views for miles.

Dependable sunshine and great weather make outdoor sports a way of life. Golf, tennis, hiking, mountain biking and in-line skating are popular activities. Visitors can also choose from water skiing, sailing and fishing in the region's lakes and rivers.

Dining: Endless dining possibilities exist in Phoenix. With some of the world's best chefs, taste buds will be tantalized by indulging in a variety of foods including Fusion, Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Continental, Thai and Moroccan, just to name a few. It also is possible to taste a bit of the Old West by sampling a genuine cowboy mesquite-grilled steak at one of the many restaurants specializing in authentic Southwestern cuisine.

Shopping: When shopping you'll find a wonderful selection of upscale souvenirs such as beautifully handcrafted Native American turquoise jewelry and elegant leather goods. Everything from the latest in fashionable apparel to collectible artwork can be found at one of the many large shopping malls or tiny boutiques.

Sound like a great place for a conference?  You bet! Plan to join us for SITE 2005, in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, March 1-5, 2005.

Explore Phoenix online at: http://www.phoenixcvb.com/visitor/index.cfm