The 20th annual AZRE Magazine RED Awards celebrated the best in Arizona commercial real estate, recognizing standout developers, architects, contractors, subcontractors and projects across 18 categories. Nearly 200 projects were considered for the 2026 awards, and an overflow crowd packed Scottsdale Conference Center and Embassy Suites Scottsdale for the celebration.
For event planners considering Scottsdale for their next conference, awards program, corporate celebration or large-scale gathering, the RED Awards offer a useful example of what our venue can deliver.
The Numbers at a Glance
60,000+ sq. ft. of total event space
11,200 sq. ft. Scottsdale Conference Center
Up to 1,400 guests theater-style
32 meeting rooms
17-foot ceilings in the main conference center
The scale gives planners room to build an event around the experience rather than trying to work around the limitations of the venue.
A Venue That Can Handle the Scale
The RED Awards were designed for a large professional audience, with dinner, networking, presentations and award announcements all happening throughout the evening.
The Scottsdale Conference Center offers 11,200 square feet of event space and can accommodate up to 1,400 guests in a theater-style setup, 1,200 for a reception and 910 for a banquet. The room measures 140 feet by 80 feet with 17-foot ceilings, giving planners flexibility when designing everything from a stage and awards presentation to dining, networking areas and sponsor activations.
That flexibility is especially valuable for events where the guest list can grow or where the experience depends on giving attendees enough space to move, connect and engage.
The RED Awards were certainly not a small gathering. AZ Big Media described the March 19 celebration as an “overflow crowd,” underscoring the importance of having a venue capable of accommodating a large audience.
Read the full AZ Big Media coverage of the 2026 RED Awards
The Event Was More Than an Awards Dinner
One of the biggest takeaways from the RED Awards is how many elements can come together under one event.
Nearly 200 projects were considered, with awards presented across 18 categories, in addition to honors including Subcontractor of the Year, Architecture Firm of the Year, General Contractor of the Year and Developer of the Year.
The evening also incorporated a range of event sponsors, including beverage, dessert, step-and-repeat, valet, 360 photo booth, floral, production, giveaway, spotlight and VIP sponsors.
That means the venue had to support more than dinner and a stage. It needed to accommodate branding, sponsor activations, photography, production, networking and the overall awards experience.
For planners, that's an important distinction.
A successful venue shouldn't simply have enough seats. It should have enough flexibility to support everything happening around the main program.
Built for Events That Need to Feel Polished
The RED Awards are naturally a highly visual event. You're bringing together developers, architects, contractors and other industry leaders to celebrate projects representing design, construction and innovation across Arizona.
That makes the setting part of the experience.
The venue combines modern event infrastructure with a Scottsdale setting, giving planners a backdrop that feels polished without becoming overly formal. The conference center sits on a resort hotel meaning attendees can stay on-site rather than navigating transportation between a separate hotel and event venue.
For planners, that can simplify the guest experience considerably.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort is located just a half-mile from Old Town Scottsdale, with Scottsdale Fashion Square less than a mile away and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport approximately 11 miles from the property. Complimentary on-site self-parking is also available.
The Details Matter
Large event space is important, but experienced planners know that the details often determine whether an event actually runs smoothly.
The property offers A/V equipment and custom catering, supported by an on-site events team. That gives planners the ability to coordinate key event components in one location instead of piecing together every element from separate vendors and venues.
For an awards event, that could mean coordinating presentations, microphones, screens, lighting, staging, dinner service and networking without losing sight of the overall guest experience.
For a conference, it can mean having the infrastructure to support presentations and breakout programming while still giving attendees comfortable spaces to connect.
For a corporate celebration, it means having the flexibility to move from a reception to dinner to entertainment without making guests feel like they're being shuffled from one venue to another.
One Venue, One Stay, One Seamless Experience
One of the biggest advantages of hosting an event at Scottsdale Conference Center is that the venue and accommodations are all in one place.
Attendees can arrive, check in, attend meetings or events, network, enjoy a meal and return to their rooms without ever needing to leave the property.
For planners, that means fewer transportation logistics and a more seamless experience for guests, particularly for conferences, awards programs and multi-day corporate events.
A Scottsdale Venue Designed Around the Event
The success of an event isn't just about what happens on stage. It's about how easily everything around it comes together.
The 2026 RED Awards offered a strong example. A crowd of 650 guests gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of an event that considered nearly 200 commercial real estate projects and recognized winners across 18 categories. The evening also incorporated sponsors, production, networking and multiple elements that required a venue capable of supporting more than a traditional dinner.
That's the real takeaway for event planners considering Scottsdale.
A successful venue should give you room to create the event you envision, not limit what you can do.
With expansive conference space, flexible configurations, built-in A/V capabilities, custom catering, on-site accommodations and a Scottsdale location, Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort offers an all-in-one setting designed to make complex events feel considerably simpler.
Planning your next Scottsdale conference, awards program or corporate event? Discover the meeting spaces, accommodations and event capabilities at Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort, where your event and your guests can stay in one convenient Scottsdale destination.
