2022 Mesa Visitors Guide

A BUILT-IN SUPPORT SYSTEM
HIDDEN DISABILITIES
SUNFLOWER PROGRAM
As part of Visit Mesa’s on-going mission
to ensure Mesa, Arizona is regarded as
one of the nation’s most accessible travel
destinations, the city is now offering the
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. This globally
recognized program has been hailed for
supporting travelers with various needs
as a way for them to secure additional
support they may require while traveling.
Developed and launched in the United
Kingdom, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is now a recognized
icon that accessible travelers can utilize to discreetly be
identified as having a disability. Through identification by service
representatives in the hospitality industry, visitors with disabilities
can be assured they will be given attention and support during
their journey.
Visit Mesa distributes the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
complimentary lanyards and bracelets from their visitors’ center
location (1 N. MacDonald, Downtown Mesa). When worn, the
sunflower serves as a visual cue to trained visitor industry staff
throughout Mesa who will then be able to recognize if that
traveler, or traveler’s companion, would like additional support
during their visit.
In addition, guests can pick up their complimentary Hidden
Disabilities Sunflower lanyards and bracelets at these participating
Mesa locations:
AIRA, GUIDED VISUAL
INTERPRETATION SERVICES
FOR VISITORS & RESIDENTS
Visit Mesa and the City of Mesa launched a partnership with
Aira, an on-demand visual interpretation service available to
visually impaired visitors to Mesa, as well as residents. Aira is
behind the new accessibility technology that serves people
who are blind or have low vision. Prior to arrival, visitors
can download the Aira app from their smart phone and get
access to a trained Aira agent who can assist with trip
planning. While in Mesa’s city limits, visitors can access the
agent to guide them throughout public buildings, attractions,
restaurants, hotels and more. Customers of Aira are referred
to as explorers and this instant access to visual information
at the touch of a button will enhance everyday efficiency,
engagement, and independence.
Aira’s visual interpretation services are currently available in
all Starbucks and Target stores nationwide. As part of Visit
Mesa’s commitment to accessibility, any guest living in or
visiting Mesa who is blind or has low vision can use the Aira
service free of charge while located within Mesa city limits.
The service outside of Mesa’s borders is complimentary for
up to five minutes and then fees apply. Both iOS and Android
phones are supported.
Visit Mesa helped establish the Mesa Regional Foundation for
Accessibility, Diversity & Inclusion to enhance and implement
equity, diversity and inclusion for youth and adults within the
Mesa community. The Foundation will support programs that
expand upon accessibility throughout Mesa with a special
emphasis on technology. Learn more at MesaADI.org.
DESTINATION
DOWNTOWN
· Sheraton Mesa Hotel at
Wrigleyville West
· Holiday Inn & Suites
Phoenix-Mesa/Chandler
· Delta Hotels by Marriott
Phoenix-Mesa
· DoubleTree by Hilton
Phoenix Mesa
· Mesa Arts Center
· i.d.e.a. Museum
· Arizona Museum of
Natural History
· COPA Health
Visit Mesa has developed an extensive online
resource for travel planning to City Limitless ® . Visit
AccessibleMesa.com for tips, tools, and in-market
services. Watch for a series of 360-degree videos of our
Certified Autism Centers and other notable venues in
Mesa – available soon.
GEOCACHING IN CITY LIMITLESS®
FIND AND SEEK FUN FOR ALL AGES
Visit Mesa has partnered with the experts at Geocaching HQ to bring
visitors an incredible hide-and-seek travel quest throughout the city. Visit
Mesa’s GeoTour was developed as a way to engage travelers on the autism
spectrum and provide a fun way to explore all corners of the city on a
quest for caches. Perfect for any visitor, the tour is a strategic collection
of geocaches anchored at many of Mesa’s participating Certified Autism
Centers and city parks. From outdoor adventurers to tech-lovers, the
popularity of the sport is growing. Visitors that find at least 5 geocaches
on Visit Mesa's GeoTour can collect a special souvenir celebrating their
adventure (see instructions on the app to receive your gift by mail)!
Find all of the geocaches and you will earn the digital souvenir directly in the
Geocaching app.
There are few others more tapped into
Mesa’s brew culture like Alexander Phillips.
He holds dual roles at Grand Canyon
Brewing as Director of Sales and Marketing
and 12 West Brewing as part of the
management and leadership team.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE
MESA’S BREWERY SCENE?
Mesa is poised to have more breweries
on Main Street than most places
have in their entire city. The brew
scene is young and insanely vibrant,
and it comes with trailblazers doing
innovative and intriguing things.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD
TO IN DOWNTOWN MESA?
Level 1 Arcade Bar is building a huge
center that’ll be an anchor for Mesa’s
great food and drink places. I’m also
looking forward to well-established
Arizona breweries, like Pedal Haus and
Goldwater, coming here.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT
MESA?
Its potential. This city is rapidly
growing, but Mesa has a vision for
its future, and it combines a sense of
community with that vision.
WHAT’S ONE THING ABOUT
MESA MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE
SURPRISED TO LEARN?
The live music scene. Any good music
that comes out of Arizona is probably
coming out of Mesa.
WHAT CAN A CRAFT BEER FAN
EXPECT WHEN THEY VISIT MESA?
They'll find what's on trend, like a
solid IPA selection, plus great wheat
and sour beers. And my boys at Cider
Corps make incredible sours. There's
a lot of flavor, character and art that
goes into the beers here. There's a
huge culinary component.
As a member of the For the Love of Mesa
steering committee, Alexander is also
helping guide Mesa’s destination promise
to locals.
ALEXANDER PHILLIPS
12 WEST BREWING
AND GRAND CANYON BREWING
visitmesa.com