We have you covered with everything you might need to consider when planning a meeting in Greater Palm Springs. Follow the links below or connect with a member of our Convention Sales team who can assist you with site selection, budgeting, negotiation techniques and more.
Learn all about our destination: see a detailed map showing all nine cities in our valley, get links to our beautiful hotels/resorts or find information on air accessibility, group activities, special promotions and helpful planning tips. And be sure to view our special promotions which can help you add value to your meeting.
Checklist for Planning a Meeting in Greater Palm Springs:
Clarify the details: Know your budget, your demographics and any concessions your group may need. Be sure to communicate these early.
Understand your ROI: Meetings are not one-size-fits all, so it helps to understand what results you anticipate from your event. Are you expecting increased productivity, are you creating a networking event to connect suppliers with buyers; or are you building team bonding? Once you know what you’re hoping to get out of your event, we can help find the right venue for your organization.
Know your dates, but be flexible: While your dates aren’t necessarily set in stone, it can be helpful to be aware of major events happening throughout the Oasis, such as the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the BNP Paribas Open, Modernism Week, Coachella and Stagecoach, all of which can drain the available inventory of hotel rooms and potentially increase your budget.
Understand the destination: Greater Palm Springs is made up of nine very distinct cities, and it is important to know that these destinations are not interchangeable. A meeting or event in Rancho Mirage might feel very different than a program in Desert Hot Springs.
Need help? Take advantage of the Visit GPS' meeting planner FAMs. Visit GPS can help organize a personal site visit, arrange appointments and give you a feel for how your event will flow, from start to finish.
Save time: Visit GPS will distribute your RFP only to those hotels and venues that best meet your specific requirements. You can choose whether you prefer direct, individual responses or to receive one comprehensive presentation with all responses.
Save money: Be sure to visit our special promotions page for meeting and event planners to see updates on our destinations best offers. Did you know you can save money meeting midweek, while enjoying all of the benefits of higher priced weekend stays? Discover more accessibility and less crowds for all you want to do, from shopping to dining and tours.
Be creative: Greater Palm Springs has so many distinctive venues to offer planners, consider taking your meeting off site. Visit GPS can help you identify the best non-traditional spaces for your event.
Determine your transportation needs: Visit GPS can provide options for shuttles and other ground transportation, such as taxis and vans, uber, airport transfers, meetings and offsites.
Determine your technical needs: Do you need audiovisual equipment? Multiple projectors and setups? Live streaming? PowerPoint? Free WiFi? Understanding your technology needs from the beginning can help you avoid costly negotiating mistakes.
Menu selection: The Coachella Valley is home to some of the richest farmland in the country, making the region a powerhouse of fresh, local cuisine. Area chefs are taking advantage of this bounty by creating distinctive catering menus. Wow your guests with menus that go far beyond expectation.
Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate: Once you’re ready to commit, bring your meetings history, including room block use and catering spend, to the table with you. We will sort through all the details and assist you in determining which venues and dates are a match.
Look for more meeting and event planning tips at: Going Citywide in Greater Palm Springs.