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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)

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UA Attractions logo
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Primary Marketing Vehicles

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  • Arizona Attractions/Tucson Attractions Passport

  • Southern Arizona Attractions Map Brochure

  • Southern Arizona/Tucson Attractions Website

  • VIsitWidget – A Southern Arizona trip planning guide 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 (B2B show)

  • Weekly Podcast from KVOI 1030 AM show, The Morning Voice, with host Tom Moulton featuring the latest on Arizona's Attractions and Events/Festivals

 

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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  • Represent and Protect the interests of the Southern Arizona Attractions

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

 

OUR 2026 STAFF

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​​Staff:

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OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • President: Heather Ingram, Executive Director UA Coit Pharmacy Museum and Health Service

  • Nick Letson, Marketing Director, Flandrau Science Center and Planatarium

  • Bob Stewart, Chair Emeratus, Tucson Rodeo Parade Committee

  • Mark Kadow, CEO, Games and Gadgets

  • Khris Siuda, Marketing - Web Master, PAG

  • Tim Vimmerstedt, Past President SAAA, Formers Marketing and Sales, Old Tucson, Desert Museum, Rawhide

 

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 mostly on the third Wednesday of each the month, except Showcase and Holiday Function. Most meetings begin at 10:00 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 along with networking opportunities.

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

Upcoming - 2026

January 28...Fox Tucson Theatre, Program: Kelle Maslyn, Pima County Economic Development and the Quality of Life.

February 24...27th SAAAAnnual Meeting: (Elections, Educational Program, Awards Celebration), Tohono Chul Pavillion (3-6 pm), Open to all Attractions and Tourism Entities

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Past

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!

October 14, Showcase 24

November 21, AZ Daily Star Offices, 10 am – 11:30 am, Tucson Media Partners. Program: Our new Partnership, How you can best utilize their successful marketing resources from print to digital.

December, TBD, Holiday Party

January 30, Pima County Historic Courthouse, Launch 2025 Event: Lee McLaughlin, VP Marketing - Visit Tucson

March 27, Tucson Media Partners, AZ Daily Star Building, All about Tucson Media Partners Marketing

April 16,  SAAA Annual & Awards Celebration, Tucson Wagon and History Museum, 10 - 12 noon. Register Here!

September 30, Attractions Showcase 2025, Register Here

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