January–February 2025
The year kicked off with strong momentum, as the Communications team elevated Greater Palm Springs’ national and international profile through robust media engagement and strategic content development. In just two months, the team secured 144 media touch points, delivered 60 custom pitches, and hosted 19 media visits to the destination.
High-profile media coverage included placements in National Geographic Traveller, Essence, Citizen Femme, NBC Golf Pass, Smart Meetings, Irish Independent, Le Figaro, and LA Foodie, among others. In partnership with our PR agencies, these efforts resulted in 98 published stories across a wide range of influential platforms. Notable features included:
- Essence — “The Black Girl's Guide to Travel: Top Destinations for Solo Adventures in 2025”
- Wanderlust — “20 years of Modernism Week: a local’s guide to Palm Springs, California”
- Ce que veulent les hommes — “Why will Greater Palm Springs be THE top destination for French travellers in 2025?”
- Wellness in the Desert — “Wellness in the Desert: Sacred Waters, Sound Baths, and Starry Skies”
- COMPASS — “LMGI Desert Days”
- Hamburger Abendblatt — “Travel Report: Palm Springs, the Cinematic Desert Pearl of California”
- The Scottish Sun — “Desert Oasis: Follow in the Footsteps of the Rich and Famous in Greater Palm Springs”
- EATER DC — “A Diner’s Guide to Escaping D.C. Winter via a Palm Springs Direct Flight”
- Business Insider — “We Let Our Kids Choose Between Disneyland and Palm Springs—We’re Shocked They Chose the Latter, but We All Loved the Trip”
- Wallpaper — “Palm Springs Modernism Week 2025: Let the Desert Architecture Party Begin”
- EDGAR — “Beyond LA”
- Citizen Femme — “A Guide to Modernism Week in Palm Springs, California”
- ITTN — “Aer Lingus to Palm Springs: Desert Escapes & First-Class Comfort”
- BEOND TV — “Next Stop Travel: Greater Palm Springs”
ABOVE: A look at some of the media coverage in this reporting period.
The team also hosted a Film Festival FAM trip, welcomed international journalists to cover events like the American Express Pro-Am and BNP Paribas Open, and supported a feature shoot for Tabi Salad, Japan’s leading travel show. A unique collaboration with Sonoma County Tourism featured a UK FAM that highlighted the nonstop Avelo Airlines flight between PSP and STS.
ABOVE: On set in Pioneertown during the filming of an episode of Tabi Salad, Japan’s leading travel show.
National media outreach included desk-side meetings and participation in IMM NYC, along with co-hosting a James Beard Dinner in partnership with Palm Springs Life. Greater Palm Springs received two honors at the Adrian Awards held in New York City, including a Gold and Best of Show for the “Meet the Mentors” campaign.
Other highlights:
- Media hosted for Desert X’s 2025 launch
- Participation in Visit California’s Canada Reverse Media Mission
- Atlanta media dinner engagement with Southeast editors
- Coverage of El Paseo Fashion Week, Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival, and the Galleri Classic
- Coordination of a mixer supporting Hulu’s upcoming Mid-Century Modern series
ABOVE: Two stops in Greater Palm Springs on the Visit California Canada Reverse Media Mission.
Looking Ahead
The PR/Communications team is preparing to host the third year of the award-winning Meet the Mentors program. This spring, we are leveraging the Coachella Music & Arts Festival’s creative programming to spotlight Greater Palm Springs’ arts and culture offerings. In partnership with Goldenvoice, media will be hosted to highlight the destination’s artistic talent and vibrant cultural scene. The team will also support coverage of new events launching at the Palm Springs Surf Club in conjunction with the festivals.
The team is preparing for Global Meetings Industry Day, recognizing the value of meetings and events in driving destination visitation and economic impact.
Preparations are also underway for key announcements around Greater Palm Springs’ commitment to becoming a more inclusive, autism-friendly destination.
In May, the team will host its first-ever Agency Immersion, bringing together representatives from all five of our agencies of record for destination orientation, new product discovery, and collaborative planning.
May also marks both National Travel and Tourism Week and California Tourism Month—milestones the team will leverage across media coordinating with our digital team to celebrate the power of tourism and share what’s new and next in Greater Palm Springs.
