Call Center Company in Scottsdale, AZ

This June, The REMI Scottsdale, Autograph Collection will open its doors, bringing a new standard of luxury and experiential hospitality to the heart of the city’s iconic Entertainment District. Located just steps away from world-class nightlife, premier shopping, elevated dining experiences and cultural attractions, The REMI is poised to be the anchor of the city’s dynamic hospitality scene, delivering the perfect blend of refined comfort and untamed energy. Designed for sensory seekers, social explorers, and modern individualists alike, the vibe-driven hub will offer a sophisticated, eclectic and immersive escape, placing guests at the center of it all.

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“The REMI will be the heartbeat of the Entertainment District’s next evolution and deliver a new standard of luxury hospitality to this vibrant destination,” said Beth Brainard, general manager at The REMI Scottsdale. “From rooftop sunsets to immersive dining, The REMI is designed to spark the senses, invite curiosity, and set the stage for unforgettable moments.”

The REMI will be an odyssey of the senses—a curated collection of moments and experiences designed to awaken, delight, and stay with guests long after check-out. With public spaces by Rockwell Group and guestroom interiors by RSP Architects, guests will be immersed in dynamic design, bold flavor, soulful sounds, and the magnetic energy of the district’s most exclusive destination. The stunning, boutique-style hotel will feature 161 meticulously curated guest rooms, including two Loft Suites featuring patios that open to the hotel’s pool deck, each designed to captivate and provide a luxurious retreat. A room key at The REMI will afford discerning guests elevated offerings and access such as VIP entry to Maya Day + Nightclub, luxurious Côte Beauty amenities, plush robes, and postcards to reminisce on their stay.

The REMI’s unapologetically bold culinary experiences include:

● Kauboi – A Japanese Steakhouse, where fire meets finesse. Featuring robata-grilled specialties, craveable sushi, and an elite collection of Japanese whiskies, Kauboi brings electric energy and elevated flavors together in one seductive setting.

● F/Sixteen – The Modern Diner Reimagined, where nostalgic comfort food gets a bold remix. Think boozy shakes, cheeky cocktails, and savory dishes for breakfast, lunch, or late-night.

● Allegra – Rooftop Pool & Bar, where golden hour turns into golden memories with curated cocktails, fresh beats, and Scottsdale’s most scenic sunset views.

Beyond its luxurious accommodations and dining options, The REMI will provide versatile event spaces that transform meetings and celebrations into extraordinary moments, set against the stunning backdrop of Camelback Mountain or overlooking the vibrant Entertainment District.

For more information or to book a room reservation, visit marriott.com/phxda.

PHOENIX — Greater Phoenix earned six spots in the top 25 of a new ranking of the best large U.S. cities to start a business.

WalletHub produced the list, which was released Monday, by analyzing 100 cities on three key factors: business environment, access to resources and business costs.

Scottsdale was Arizona’s top city, checking in at No. 14, but it had plenty of company from its Valley neighbors.

No. 17 Chandler, No. 18 Glendale, No. 20 Mesa, No. 21 Phoenix and No. 24 Gilbert all were in the top quarter of the rankings. Tucson rounded out the Arizona representation at No. 50.

Scottsdale earned its spot by ranking fifth in access to resources, 12th in business environment and 78th in business costs.

Phoenix ranked 25th in business environment, 40th in business costs and 52nd in access to resources.

Tucson was one of the top U.S. cities in business costs, ranking 10th in that category. However, it was the worst of the Arizona cities when it came to access to resources, ranking 81st nationally.

Florida makes strong showing in list of best places to start a business

Four of the five best cities to start a business are located in Florida, with Orlando taking the top spot, Tampa at No. 2, Jacksonville at No. 4 and Miami at No. 5.

No. 3 Austin, Texas, was the only non-Florida city in the top five.

Washington, D.C., was at the bottom of the list.

Scottsdale tends to finish high in WalletHub rankings. So far this year, it was rated as the eighth happiest city in the U.S. and third best city for credit scores.

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On Phoenix's packed events calendar, certain annual occurrences stand out. Though they may not be new, the creativity and fun make them hotly anticipated year after year.

Case in point: Arizona Tiki Oasis, a four-day celebration of midcentury modern style and tiki culture, which takes over Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho April 24 through 27.

For six of the past seven years (thanks, COVID), ATO has provided a full-blown infusion of fashion, food and drink, music and education for tiki enthusiasts, the tiki curious and everyone in between.

One of the great things about this annual event, the desert sibling of the annual (and legendary) Tiki Oasis event in San Diego, is that everyone is welcome, with or without a Hawaiian shirt or floral caftan. Arizona Tiki Oasis is delightfully inclusive.

Well, except for those under 21.

“People love to describe the event to us, and I love it when they do, but they often say things like, ‘I love Arizona Tiki Oasis because it is sophisticated, and I can dress up and have cocktails and it’s 21 and over.’ It’s like an adult playground,” says Baby Doe Von Stroheim, co-founder of the event.

Along with husband, Otto, Von Stroheim helps curate a truly memorable event. She mentions the programming that, in her words, “really leans into” the idea of an adult playground.

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Arizona Tiki Oasis

“We have the Glam-O-Rama dinner that is hosted by the Hotel Valley Ho, and it now has a fashion show. All the models work at the Valley Ho, so they aren’t professional models, but they're having such a great time that people often feel like they want to be in the fashion show, as well. It’s a nod to the '50s and '60s, so it's all vintage clothing, for the most part, but it gives you a sense of glamor and stepping back in time,” says Von Stroheim.

In addition to Glam-O-Rama, which will feature live music from The Martini Kings, special tiki cocktails and dinner under the stars, there are a wide variety of seminars starting on Friday morning and continuing through to the Arizona Tiki Oasis Bartender Battle at 2 p.m. Sunday, the final event of the weekend.

This year’s seminars are well-rounded and provide a little something for everyone.

Scottsdale’s Ace Bailey offers a daily Hotel Valley Ho Magical History Tour, for example, and there are multiple seminars on music, fashion, architecture and even Disneyland. For those who love a good tropical drink, there are no fewer than eight seminars revolving around tiki drinks and tastings.

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Arizona Tiki Oasis

One of the events on Friday that is completely new to Arizona Tiki Oasis this year comes from Cambridge, Massachusetts-based chef and owner of the Wusong Tiki Bar, Jason Doo. After working in Michelin-starred restaurants, as well as in Asia, Doo opened Wusong Tiki Bar in February 2022 in Harvard Square. The establishment was named one of People Magazine’s 50 most beautiful restaurants in 2024.

For Doo, the opportunity to share his seminar, "Pathways to the Pacific: Asian American Tiki Culture," is nothing short of fantastic.

‘Growing up in a small, suburban Chinese-American restaurant serving mai tais with pineapple juice, you just sort of get exposed to (tiki). Being a kid, you’re cleaning tables, picking string beans in the corner, like any true Chinese restaurant in the suburbs. I just fell in love with the scorpion bowls coming out on fire for guests, the pineapple-shaped mugs and all that bright and colorful décor you get in tropical themed bars,” Doo says.

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For his seminar, Doo will cover more than just the history of tiki. He will be talking about the strong ties between tiki and Chinese restaurants in America.

“There was a period of time in the history of Tiki where it was essentially lost to most bars, but it changed to something that you would only find in Chinese restaurants. It’s my firm belief that because of that, it spread throughout the country again because of the Mai Tai. No matter where you go in the country, most of the time, Chinese restaurants often serve the same menu, including the beverage menus. We want to explore why that occurred and more geared to the beverage aspect,” says Doo, before adding, “It’s kind of amazing, how things like the scorpion bowl, Tiki mugs, and pineapple cups, as well as those same recipes, kind of spread across America.”

If Doo’s passion for the subject over the phone translates even half as well in the seminar, it will be an excellent way to spend the time from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Friday.

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There are a couple of things to remember if you're planning to visit Arizona Tiki Oasis. You can purchase tickets for all the seminars a la carte on their website, as well as event passes and hotel rooms. There is limited parking at the hotel for those who are not staying for the weekend, but street parking is available in the surrounding area.

If you just want to stop in and check out what the event is all about, the people-watching is excellent, and the marketplace is open to everyone. Each year, Arizona Tiki Oasis has an excellent variety of vendors who bring every aspect of tiki fashion, culture and collectibles. There are local folks like Witchdoctor’s Den, fashions from MT Kahuna Vintage and handcrafted cocktail mixers from Alpenglow Cocktail Company out of Washington, just to name a few.

“We love to make sure everyone has a good time, including our artisans in our marketplace. We offer an opportunity for escapism and people can come to Arizona Tiki Oasis and know that it is going to be ‘their’ time. They can forget the world, put on a really fun outfit, a tropical dress or an aloha shirt, get a flower in their hair, have a tropical cocktail and forget about the chaos. I think people are really hungry for that right now,” says Von Stroheim.

Arizona Tiki Oasis. April 24-27. Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale. Get tickets and info at aztikioasis.com.

Justin Massei and Mikis Troyan — founders of the Clive Collective, the group behind Neon Spur, Cala and Tell Your Friends, which won 2025 Bar of the Year Award at The Bar & Restaurant Expo in March and Foodist Award for Iconic Speakeasy Experience in April — are opening five new concepts this year.

Massei and Troyan met at Riot Hospitality, where Troyan was a co-founder and Massei worked in operations, and the pair left in 2020 to start their own group. Their goal? A less hectic life and more work-life balance.

"I was so burnt out I almost walked away from the whole thing," Massie said.

"Hospitality can be a grind with the long hours," said Troyan. "It also can be one of the greatest and funnest environments to work in. We wanted to build a company around that."

The need for a more balanced life is what attracted celebrity chef Beau MacMillan to Clive Collective.

Together they opened Cala in 2022 inside the Senna Hotel in Old Town to cater to a crowd that craved a night out but didn't necessarily want to go clubbing.

Nightlife veterans opening five new metro Phoenix restaurants

Troyan's path started on the promotional side of nightlife in San Diego. "When I moved back to Arizona, I went straight into ownership," he said. His first project was American Junkie in 2008. In 2010, he left that group and formed El Hefe and Riot Hospitality, the group behind Old Town venues like Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, Cake Nightclub, Hand Cut and Farm & Craft.

Massei got his start at an Italian restaurant in high school and fell in love with the industry. After finishing college, he began working in the nightlife industry with the owners of Dos Gringos. He worked in Old Town until 2010 when Riot launched El Hefe and he invested. Six months later, he joined the operations side.

And though they started Clive Collective for a more laid back life, that doesn't mean they're slowing down. The duo is planning to open three concepts in downtown Phoenix, one in North Scottsdale and one in Paradise Valley.

"Obviously, we are serial concept creators," Troyan said.

"We are good at having our finger on the pulse of what people like," said Massei. "And we want and put something together that can bring it to life."

So how are they continuing to grow and develop so new concepts while still maintaining work-life balance?

"It's our team. They are crushing it right now," Massei said.

"We've been lucky recently that we're being given opportunities that were not even on our radar," Troyan said. "Seeing what downtown Phoenix is becoming is fantastic. It's cool to be a part of downtown's growth."

Kuza restaurant will open in Scottsdale

Kuza, located in the same center as Americano and Tell Your Friends, will replace Chauncey's Social, which closed on April 1. Kuza is inspired by Japanese robata cooking with seafood, meat and vegetables grilled over coal in front of diners. Additionally, Kuza will have a raw bar, high-end sake and a lively environment similar to Cala.

MacMillan will create the menu. He said he'd have udon bowls, ramen, sticky rice dishes, sashimi, crudo, wagyu beef and fish. "It's more about the quality of the product and traditional, simple techniques," he said.

Expected opening: Late August/early September 2025.

Details: 17767 N. Scottsdale Road, suite 100, Scottsdale.

Three new restaurants opening in a historic downtown Phoenix bungalow

Working with Intersection Development, Clive Collective plans to open three concepts at the historic Stoddard-Harmon bungalow at the corner of First Avenue and McKinley Street downtown.

Ada, named after the wife of the bungalow's builder, Arizona politician Celora Martin Stoddard, will have a coastal seafood theme with outdoor seating and green hedges.

"The patio is prime for white wines and rose with oysters," Massei said. The bar inside will also offer a cocktail program.

"We have Buck n Rider and swanky joints like Ocean 44, but that's it," Troyan said. "We wanted to bring a cool little seafood joint to Phoenix."

The menu, according to MacMillan, will draw inspiration from coastal New England. "I'm going to reimagine my New England roots," he said. "I want this to be a coastal American fare restaurant."

Next to Ada, diners will find an intimate bar called Love Call. "A cool circle bar with neon glows," Massei said. Troyan called it "an elevated neighborhood joint" rather than a cocktail bar.

The third concept is a baby sister to Kuza called Kuza Tori. Tori means street in Japanese and, according to Troyan, while Kuza is chic and vibey, Kuza Tori will be a super casual, enter-through-the-back-alley counterpart offering Japanese street food.

Expected opening: Ada and Love Call are expected to open in late January 2026.

Expected opening: Kuza Tori is expected to open in February 2026.

Details: 801 N. First Ave., Phoenix.

A second location of Cala is coming to the Paradise Valley Mall redevelopment

Clive is also opening Cala's big sister, Cala 2 at the redeveloped Paradise Valley Mall area.

"Cala has been everything for us," Massei said. "It's been received well by our customers. For Cala 2, we want to take what's worked well and tweak other things. Beau is working to elevate that menu."

An added 1000 square-foot space to the side named Calitta will serve as an event space for private parties, complete with a DJ booth, for weekend music (similar to Cala).

Expected opening: 2026.

Details: 4568 E. Cactus Road, Phoenix.

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Reach the reporter at [email protected]. Follow @baharcreative on Instagram.

Riot Hospitality Group announces the highly anticipated return of Maya Day + Night, set to open early Summer 2025. Located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, the iconic venue has undergone a floor-to-ceiling transformation, reemerging as a luxurious, high-energy destination that will forever change nightlife in Arizona.

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“Maya is back, and nightlife will never be the same,” says Jason Adler, Chief Development Officer of Riot Hospitality Group. “We’ve completely reimagined the space to create something truly extraordinary. This venue transcends traditional nightlife and delivers an experience unlike anything you’ve ever seen.”

The 15,000-square-foot venue presents a stunning fusion of European elegance and desert mystique. The exterior captivates with its striking arched façade adorned with chevron wood paneling while inside, Maya transports guests to an enchanting paradise where earthy luxury meets pulsating energy.

A commanding 100-foot sculpted wooden goddess rises behind the main bar, watching over guests like a divine protector of the night. Meanwhile, a mesmerizing sculptural tree with LED-adorned branches glows in the front lounge, adding an ethereal energy to the experience. The entire space embraces a design aesthetic rich in glowing amber tones, natural textures, and dramatic architectural elements, including woven basket pendant lighting and curved seating areas that create intimate gathering spaces.

“We’ve created Maya to be a fully immersive experience inspired by the world’s most renowned entertainment destinations,” continues Adler. “From the jaw-dropping sculptural elements to the thoughtfully designed spaces, every detail has been meticulously crafted to evoke wonder and ignite the senses.”

Maya’s cocktail program transcends traditional mixology, with master mixologists crafting bespoke concoctions using rare spirits, house-infusions, and globally inspired ingredients. Guests can expect dramatic presentations that turn every drink into performance art. Complementing the drinks is a refined menu of sophisticated small plates, thoughtfully curated to heighten the sensory journey.

By day, Maya’s stunning pool remains the epicenter of Scottsdale’s day life scene, hosting world-renowned DJs and celebrity guests. The Valley’s premier pool party offers bottle service, plush daybeds, and VIP cabanas for those seeking the ultimate luxury experience under the Arizona sun. A newly built dual DJ booth seamlessly connects the day club and nightclub, creating a dynamic, expanded stage for world-class entertainment and next-level performances.

As night falls, Maya transforms into an exotic sanctuary where sophisticated entertainment takes center stage. The venue’s cutting-edge sound system and immersive lighting create an atmosphere that feels both exclusive and warmly inviting. Elevated VIP bottle service caters to guests seeking a personalized nightlife experience, while a stylish dress code enhances the elegance and energy of the space, ensuring every detail reflects the venue’s refined allure.

A significant enhancement to the Maya experience is its direct connection to The Remi, Arizona’s most luxurious new hotel, allowing seamless access for hotel guests and creating a complete luxury lifestyle destination in the heart of Scottsdale.

For more information, visit https://mayaclubaz.com/day-night/ or follow on social media at @mayascottsdale. Maya, located at 7333 E Indian Plaza in Scottsdale, is hiring for multiple positions. To apply, visit http://mayaclubaz.com/casting/. Details regarding opening events and VIP reservations will be announced soon.