Lake Powell offers spectacular scenic adventures for groups traveling the Southwest and the region’s National Parks. Located on the southeastern border of Arizona and Utah, this destination offers a selection of float adventures which explore the lake’s more than 2,000 miles of shoreline.

Sedona has introduced its 24 month-long public art project entitled “Javelinas on Parade." Javelinas are the only native wild pig-like animal in the United States and they thrive in the Arizona desert. The 50 statues are created from a master form and decorated in various styles by local artists to be placed throughout the town. “Javelinas on Parade" has been designated as an Arizona Treasure by Governor Janet Napolitano and will be featured in the state’s 2006 tourism advertising and promotion efforts.

There are two new Albuquerque museums. The Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum is located at Balloon Fiesta Park. Displays tell the sport’s history with highlights of Albuquerque’s ballooning activities and its local personalities. The other new museum is the Unser Racing Museum in the village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. Here visitors learn about the evolution of racecars with a special focus on the Unser family.

Las Cruces new Cultural Complex is part of a downtown neighborhood offering a variety of venues that offer

entertainment, food, galleries and four outstanding museums

The Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City announces its 2006 summer-fall season: June 22 - Sept. 2, features Shakespeare’s “Hamlet," “The Merry Wives of Windsor" and “Antony and Cleopatra." Also playing is Ernst Thomson’s “On Golden Pond," John Murray and Allen Boretz’ “Room Service" and Gilbert and Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore." The fall season, Sept. 22-Oct. 28, presents Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice," J. Hartley Manners’ “Peg o’ My Heart" and van Hoogstraten, Silvestri and Higgins’ “Johnny Guitar." The festival offers several added activities including nightly Greenshows on three outdoor stages; free literary seminars; bi-weekly music, acting and costumes workshops; backstage tours; the New American Playwrights Project and pre-performance orientation for all shows. Special ticket prices and other benefits are available for groups of 12 or more.

Denver arts are exploding with new venues, making it a premier arts destination. The new Ellie Caulking Opera House opened within the walls of the historic Newton Auditorium to complete the Denver Performing Arts Complex theater development project. The theater is home to the Colorado Opera, Colorado Ballet and various choral groups and features an electric seat-back text delivery system which displays performance dialog at every seat. The Denver Art Museum will double its size in 2006 with the addition of the Frederic C. Hamilton building and will feature special and visiting exhibitions and the museum’s modern and contemporary art collection.

Lincoln is home to the University of Nebraska where visiting groups will be treated to high-spirited Husker play on and off the sports fields. The Lincoln CVB has organized several itinerary plans for group tours that feature the diversity of campus life. The Husker Package is for sports fans and offers behind the scenes tours of the University of Nebraska Memorial Stadium and Haymarket Park, with lunch at choice favorite fan eateries. The arts package visits Lied Center for the Performing Arts, the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Gardens, and the State Museum. Another campus museum is The Lester F. Larsen Tractor Test and Power Museum and is included in the agriculture-themed itinerary.