Visit Mesa Annual Summit Highlights Visitor Economy's $1.2 Billion Impact

MESA, Ariz. (Sept. 23, 2026) – Visit Mesa hosted its 2026 Annual Summit on Tuesday at the Delta Hotels Phoenix Mesa, bringing together hospitality leaders, elected officials, business owners and community partners to review the past year's accomplishments and preview what's ahead for Mesa's visitor economy.

Marc Garcia, president and CEO of Visit Mesa, presented the organization's annual report from fiscal year 2025-2026. The report shows that Mesa welcomed 4.5 million visitors in 2025 who generated an estimated $763.9 million in visitor spending. That spending contributed to $1.2 billion in overall economic impact, generated more than $161 million in total tax revenue and supported more than 5,700 direct jobs.

“Mesa's visitor economy touches nearly every part of daily life here, from the restaurants where we eat to the jobs our neighbors hold,” Garcia said. “The numbers in this year's report make clear that when we invest in destination marketing, the return reaches well beyond a hotel stay.”

Garcia also shared return-on-investment figures from the past year, reporting that for every city dollar invested in contracted business, Visit Mesa generated an estimated $30 in return. Business booked through Visit Mesa's sales and marketing efforts produced an estimated $106 million in direct visitor spending and more than 111,000 booked room nights.

Additional highlights from the past year included a co-op marketing campaign with Allegiant Air that generated more than $640,000 in earned media value; new seasons of the City Limitless® podcast, which earned a Telly Award and an Arizona Travel Award; and an estimated $17.7 million in direct visitor spending tied to hosting MLS NEXT Fest. Visit Mesa also expanded its accessibility work, helping 75 people earn food allergen certification through its new food inclusion program.

Looking ahead, Garcia outlined six priorities in Visit Mesa's upcoming destination sales and marketing plan: strengthening the visitor economy, advancing a tourism improvement area in Mesa, undertaking a comprehensive strategic planning process, elevating the Visit Mesa brand, supporting industry partners and driving demand for meetings, leisure travel and sports.

Garcia also previewed “Fresh in Mesa,” a new campaign highlighting the city's restaurants and culinary scene. The campaign is set to launch this fall and expand across Visit Mesa's marketing channels over the coming year.

During the summit, Visit Mesa presented two annual awards. Rose Hanne, chief operating officer of Alliance Urgent Care and a member of the Visit Mesa board of directors' executive committee, received the Mike Whalen Spirit of Community Service Award for her volunteer leadership across Mesa, including her work with the Mesa Arts Center Foundation and Rotary Club of Mesa.

Mesa Arts Center received the Mesa Visitor Industry Champion Award, recognizing its role in Mesa Arts and Culture Week, a campaign that contributed to more than 20,000 museum visits and a 28% increase in foot traffic downtown.

The summit concluded with “The Unseen Tourism Economy,” a panel discussion led by Adam Stoker, president and CEO of Brand Revolt. The conversation explored how Mesa’s image and visitor experiences influence business investment, workforce recruitment, resident pride and the long-term strength of the local economy.

Learn more about the power of travel in Mesa at visitorsmeanbusiness.com.

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ABOUT VISIT MESA:
Visit Mesa is the official destination marketing organization responsible for positioning and promoting Mesa, Arizona, as a top regional destination for leisure and business travel. Learn more about Visit Mesa and its mission to promote the value and vitality of Mesa’s visitor economy to create a better community at visitmesa.com.

CONTACTS:
Zoey Knoebel, Communications Manager, Visit Mesa
Direct: 480-682-3654, E-mail:  [email protected] 

Alicia Boe, Communications Director, Visit Mesa
Direct: 480-825-7695, E-mail: [email protected]