CONVENTION SALES & DESTINATION EXPERIENCES

Year-to-Date Highlights & Off-Peak Booking Progress

After a strong close to 2025, bookings have started softer in January and February 2026, reflecting a mixed outlook for meetings. The year opened with encouraging short-term gains for hotel partners, with in-year bookings up 22% compared to the same time last year. However, forward booking pace is softening, as planners remain active in sourcing leads but are delaying commitments amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and budget pressures.

ConferenceDirect, a leading site selection and conference management firm, noted in its March update that group demand through February is down versus expectations for 2026, with increasing competition and greater emphasis on flexibility in contract terms for short-term business.

February 2026 Productivity (Month-End)

Room Nights Booked: 18,870 — 45% of goal (vs. 31,499 in 2025)

• Lead Distribution: 304 total leads — 115% of goal (vs. 264 in 2025)
• New Bookings: 40 — 86% of goal (vs. 37 in 2025)
• New Leads: 158 — 114% of goal (vs. 172 in 2025)

March 2026 Productivity (as of March 22)

Room Nights Booked: 29,994— 48% of goal (vs. 57,199 in 2025)

• Lead Distribution:418 total leads — 106% of year-to-date goal, 5% behind 2025
• New Leads:216 103% of goal — 15% behind 2025
• New Bookings:54 77% of goal — 23% behind 2025

Off-Peak Booking Progress (2026-2028)

As of February month-end, the team has secured off-peak room nights across key need periods:

• May & September: 3,205 room nights
  • 2026: 1,932 | 2027: 1,153 | 2028: 120
• Summer: 426 room nights
  • 2026: 426
• October–December: 3,863 room nights
  • 2026: 2,013 | 2027: 110 | 2028: 1,740

January–February 2026 Sales Representation Highlights   

The team actively promoted Greater Palm Springs at 10 key industry events across the country, including:  

East Coast

• Jan 11-14 PCMA Convening Leaders – Philadelphia 
• Jan 28-30 FICP Fuel Forward Exchange – New York 
• Feb 23-24 Northeast CVB Reps Luncheon – New York 

South 

• Feb 10-11 Site Southeast Kickoff – Atlanta 
• Feb 24-27 Retreat Resources Roadshow - Tampa 

West 

• Jan 20-23 Client Events in Los Angeles, Orange County & San Diego 
• Jan 15-16 Compete Sports Network Conference – Las Vegas 
• Feb 10-13 AMCI – Spokane 
• Feb 11-13 Arizona Client Events
• Feb 23-25 – MPI Sacramento 

Site Inspections & Conversions

Year-to-date through February, the Destination Experiences and Sales teams continued to drive qualified in-market engagement and conversion activity, generating measurable group business outcomes:

• 14 in-market site inspections conducted — representing 15,644 room nights
• 7 site inspections converted — totaling 4,544 room nights
• Estimated EIC Business Sales: $4,110,929

Event Highlights 

In January, our West Coast representatives hosted client events in Los Angeles and Orange County, engaging more than 30 clients to showcase Greater Palm Springs and highlight what’s new across the destination. We were pleased to have valued partners join us, including Renaissance Esmeralda Indian Wells, Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas, and Empire Polo Club.

In February, the team continued its outreach in Arizona, hosting client events and conducting sales calls with key intermediary partners, including HelmsBriscoe and HPN, as well as direct clients.

In January, we partnered with Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas to welcome 10 HPN Global representatives to the destination. For some, it was a first-time visit, while others had the opportunity to experience what’s new and deepen existing relationships. The visit also provided an opportunity to showcase the resort’s recent renovations and the broader offerings of Greater Palm Springs.

For the sports market, Emily Heggernes, National Sports Sales Manager, hosted the Global Spirits clients during the BNP Paribas Open, showcasing one of our destination’s top events. The group also had the opportunity to tour hotels and unique Greater Palm Springs experiences, such as Aerial Tramway &Superbloom activities.

Looking Forward

Looking ahead to spring, our team will maintain a robust travel schedule, with representation at 22 industry events, in addition to hosting a Spring FAM and a HelmsBriscoe FAM following their Annual Conference in Los Angeles.

Convention Sales Dashboards

Below are dashboards showing our year-to-date team production and open tentative leads.