Wild horses roam free at the 372,000-acre Gila River Indian Community, home of Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa. Over 100,000 square feet of event space reflects the heritage of the Pima and Maricopa tribes, enhanced by recreation like two 18- hole golf courses, a 17,500-square-foot spa, five pools, an equestrian center, and a nearby casino.

Earth tones and cultural artifacts adorn the meeting rooms, most named after Sonoran Desert animals. Murals of ancient tribal figures welcome groups of up to 1,600 in the main ballroom, while basket and pottery designs surround groups of up to 500 in the junior ballroom. Board meetings, breakout sessions, and prefunction events take place in 15 additional meeting rooms ranging from 660 to 2,484 square feet. All venues provide high-speed Internet access, videoconferencing, and comprehensive on-site audiovisual and production services.

Superb natural surroundings set the stage for yearround outdoor gatherings. Large groups favor the Hemapik grand lawn with its timber-trellised walkways, beehive fireplaces, and six event areas. Other options include the more intimate Clubhouse Lawn plus a wide selection of patios and terraces. A talented catering staff specializes in regional cuisine and customized events with Old West and Native Spirit themes. Sunset views and fireworks bring desert evenings to a memorable conclusion.

A major new offering, a 35-year-old replicated 1880s Western town called Rawhide at Wild Horse Pass, waits just a boat ride down the Gila River from the resort. It features a steak house and saloon with nightly musical entertainment, live cowboy stunt shows, stagecoach and train rides, and eight venues for meetings and events, including a 52,000-square-foot pavilion.

During breaks, attendees can take a boat to visit Rawhide, the casino, or the Whirlwind Golf Club, site of two 18-hole Troon-managed championship courses. More Western-style fun waits at the 1,000- acre Koli Equestrian Center, where groups enjoy trail rides, hay rides, cattle drives, and rodeos. Spectacular riverside swimming pools promise cooling interludes, while the Aji Spa pampers with Native American– inspired treatments and a traditional roundhouse for meditation.

Roundhouse design also appears in the resort’s domed lobbies, which supply wireless Internet access. The Lobby Lounge rests at the base of a three-story waterfall, an ideal spot for meeting colleagues before dinner. Restaurant choices range from Kai, with award-winning contemporary cuisine, to Ko’Sin, with casual fare and breathtaking views.

Panoramic views of the river, golf courses, and mountains extend from the balconies or patios of all 500 rooms and suites. Tribal design elements complement perks for business travelers like high-speed Internet access, oversized work desks with task lights, and two-line speakerphones with voice mail. Yet for many visitors, the biggest perk of all remains a glimpse of wild horses thundering across the desert in the distance.