VAI Resort Unveils New Conference Center with Rooftop and Outdoor Spaces

GLENDALE, AZ — A new conference center will add to the long list of amenities planned at the billion-dollar VAI Resort in Glendale.

The VAI Resort Conference Center will offer 150,000 square feet of meeting space, including 90,000 square feet of traditional conference space and other flexible meeting spaces, including rooftop and open-air spaces.

This will allow 34 customizable room configurations for a variety of sized events such as intimate gatherings or large corporate conferences, weddings, etc. “Reservations for the center are not expected to open until the second half of 2026,” according to a VAI representative.

For reference, the 150,000 square feet of new meeting space would have placed VAI No. 6 in the Valley for most meeting space within a local hotel or resort, according to data from the Phoenix Business Journal.

Read the rest of this story in the Business Journal.

THE LATEST ON VAI

The city of Glendale has reportedly agreed to sell land to VAI Resort to build a parking lot.

The city announced it will sell 8.25 acres of city-owned land, located near the northwest corner of Montebello and 91st Avenue, to VAI Resort LLC for more than $7.5 million. VAI Resort has announced plans to build a 4,000-space parking garage for its soon-to-open sports and entertainment district.

Learn more about the land acquired for the parking lot here.

According to the City of Glendale’s announcement in June 2024 – after delaying the opening – the resort is expected to open next year (2025) and will be a billion-dollar, 1,100-room resort on a 60-acre entertainment complex across from the Westgate Entertainment District and State Farm Stadium.

The complex will include an 11,000-seat concert amphitheater and the Mattel Adventure Park.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE MATTEL ADVENTURE PARK

The VAI Resort began construction in 2021 and is still under construction. As for the Mattel Adventure Park, which is adjacent to the VAI Resort, it is still on track to open later this year. A representative for the amusement park confirmed to ABC15 Monday that their Glendale business is still expected to open “in late 2024.”

ABC15 previously reported that some of the attractions opening in the park would be themed to Thomas & Friends, Barbie and Hot Wheel.

A representative for the toy manufacturing and entertainment company recently confirmed to ABC15 what some of the rides for the Mattel-themed attractions will be.

There will be a Masters of the Universe themed attraction with a He-Man vs. Skeletor laser tag.
- This location is said to be a 4,500 square foot laser tag arena “modeled after the iconic Castle Grayskull fortress.”

Other park attractions that will be inspired by Mattel games

UN! Wild climbing
Mattel Games Mini-Golf
Kerplunk waterfall tower
Adventure Pizza Cooking
The way of Mattel games

You can find the full list of upcoming attractions at Mattel Adventure Park in Arizona here.