Communications & Film
During January and February 2024, the VGPS Communications team has been actively engaging with media to showcase the destination's appeal to both leisure and group travelers. Working closely with our agencies, we have highlighted exciting new offerings and attractions planned for 2024, ensuring that Greater Palm Springs remains top-of-mind for visitors seeking unforgettable experiences.
PR & Media Support
Throughout January and February, the team achieved significant media coverage, generating 192 media touchpoints, crafting 41 targeted pitches, and offering support to 32 media outlets in the market. Notably, the team provided story support to key high-profile publications, including Los Angeles Magazine, Armchair Explorer Podcast, Smart Meetings, Skift, GolfPass, The Planet D, Gala magazine, Chicago Daily Herald, Travel Noire, and Sweet July. Below are a few examples.
With the support of our agencies, the team saw more than 144 articles published. Highlights include:
- Thrillist California's Enduring Love Affair with Dates
- Travel Goods Association Girls Weekend Getaway to Greater Palm Springs
- 9Honey What 26 hours in the desert is actually like - and it's nothing like you thought
- Sydney Morning Herald Celebrity homes and glorious weather: Nine highlights of Palm Springs
- Le Routard California: Palm Springs, 5 reasons to go there
- Prestige et Traditions An exceptional 2024 vintage for Greater Palm Springs
- Dex Magazine Stylish Time Travel
- Irish Independent It’s all Harry Styles and substance in California's sunny Palm Springs
- The Times I’ve found the coolest place to stay in California
- DIVA A queer love letter to Palm Springs
- Meetings Today 4 Reasons to Meet in Greater Palm Springs
- Luxe Beat 5 Amazing Reasons to Play The Stadium Course at PGA WEST
In recent weeks, the VGPS Communications team has hosted several dozen media visits, welcoming two influencers from the Visit California Global Influencer Advisory Board. Mexico’s Manu Maruti created engaging videos showcasing our destination as the ultimate playground, while France's Gala Magazine conducted a photo shoot highlighting the beauty of Greater Palm Springs and the desert region. In addition, we conducted the second annual California Desert Region road trip with media from UK this year.
Above: Posts from the Visit California Global Influencer Advisory Board influencers.
We were pleased to host the team from Good Morning Washington, D.C. for a broadcast integration airing the week of March 25. Leveraging their West Coast trip for the Oscars, we offered them an in-depth exploration of the valley, from Palm Springs to Coachella.
Above: Scenes from the Good Morning Washington, D.C. broadcast.
Our international outreach has been strong, with visits from media representatives from Germany, Australia, France, Canada, Mexico, and China. We also hosted two top influencers from China's rapidly growing social media channel, RED, providing them with a comprehensive two-day exploration of our region.
Additionally, our team actively participated in Destination International's Marketing & Communications Summit, contributing to a panel on innovative PR campaigns and sharing insights about our Meet the Mentors program.
We also attended the Visit California Dallas Media Dinner, where we showcased Greater Palm Springs as the perfect starting point for unforgettable road trips.
Above: Director of Communications Joyce Kiehl at the DI Marketing & Communications Summit and presenting at Visit CA Dallas.
Looking Ahead
The team will travel to San Francisco in April for Visit California's San Francisco Media Reception. Additionally, we will host InStyle Australia for a photo shoot for an upcoming travel edition.
Maintaining a culinary focus, Visit Greater Palm Springs is preparing to promote Restaurant Week and summer dineGPS opportunities.
The Meet the Mentors 2.0 program has opened for applications, with mentors being finalized. The program is scheduled to take place in June.
The team is actively researching activation opportunities in key domestic and international markets and focusing on international media visits leading up to IPW in Los Angeles. They are also planning an ultra-luxury Japan media press visit at the end of April.
For Film Oasis, the team has begun planning two location scout FAMs in partnership with Riverside County Office of Economic Development.
