The conference center's Janis Hunt, right, guides geology professor David Best with his wife, Mary. More photos from the event are online. Photo by Jerry Foreman

Beam signing draws
excited crowd

Watch the video now.

View photos from the event.

Feelings of enthusiasm buzzed at the construction site of NAU's new hotel/conference center complex as community members gathered to leave their mark on the much-anticipated structure.

Across from the North Union on Dupont Avenue, guests had the opportunity to sign the steel beams that will become a part of the High Country Conference Center at Flagstaff.

Nearly 200 people attended the July 12 event, including geology professor David Best.

"My wife and I came out to show our support of the new building," Best said. "Over the 29 years in which I've been here, things have really changed, and the conference center really shows how progressive NAU is."

The hotel/conference center complex is a joint partnership among NAU, the city of Flagstaff, the Arizona Board of Regents and Drury Hotels. A 160-room hotel is planned along with a 42,000-square-foot conference center and adjoining parking structure.

"We got a lot of positive feedback from attendees," said Rich Bowen, associate vice president for Administration and Finance and conference center tour guide. "People really enjoyed the idea that their signatures will be a permanent part of the building."

Molly Munger, director of Community Affairs, added, "The excitement about the conference center really built as they took us on a tour through the facility. Seeing more than just a rendering truly made it feel real."

In addition to signing various beams throughout the conference center, attendees had the chance to sign a lithograph of the conference center rendering. Bowen said it will be hung inside the completed conference center adding, "We hope it serves as a mini-time capsule that shows how this conference center came to be."

The High Country Conference Center at Flagstaff is scheduled to open in spring 2008.