PARTNERSHIP & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT  

March through May 2024 were busy months for the Partnership & Community Engagement team, including the annual Tourism Foundation Golf Tournament, National Travel & Tourism Week, and the first interviews and focus groups with North Star Place Branding + Marketing as part of our regional economic development brand and marketing strategy for Greater Palm Springs. 

Workforce Development  

In celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week, we were proud to host 12 high school students from Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) for a special day dedicated to exploring careers in the hospitality industry. The students are enrolled in a career academy pathway and are ambassadors for the Career Technical Education (CTE) program in their district, designed to help them gain valuable insights and firsthand experience through a comprehensive program designed to highlight the dynamic and rewarding opportunities within the tourism sector. The day began with the students taking part in the VGPS TEAM GPS course in the morning, an engaging session that provided an overview of the hospitality industry's key elements and the vital role it plays in the local economy. Students then received a tour of the VGPS office and heard from staff members about their career journeys. Following their time at VGPS, the students enjoyed a lunch and guided tour at the nearby Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort, offering them a behind-the-scenes look at one of our destination's premier hospitality establishments. 

Visit Greater Palm Springs sponsored six students from CSUSB & COD to attend Visit CA’s Outlook Forum in March. Students went through a mini orientation and were accompanied and mentored by VGPS team members. Afterward, the students provided a one-page reflection essay on their experience. 

With input and support from Visit Greater Palm Springs and hospitality partners, College of the Desert’s PaCE program has secured Strong Workforce Partnership grant funding, which allows for 100 individuals to take part in hospitality training courses related to customer service; leadership; and diversity, equity, and inclusion for free.  

VGPS convened the 2nd Quarter 2024 Workforce Readiness Steering Committee meeting in May connecting our workforce partners with training resources from COD PaCE and to discuss creating a hiring event and training program for the Fall with OneFuture Coachella Valley. 

VGPS was a Platinum sponsor of CSUSB’s Hospitality Gala on April 27, donating $7,500. Overall gala proceeds went toward program marketing support and student financial aid, some of which is allocated for short-term study abroad experiences, and to teach underclassmen volunteers about the importance of “paying it forward.”

On Monday, April 29, TEAM GPS hosted 30 Champions in an exclusive tour of Cabot’s Pueblo Museum in Desert Hot Springs. We extend our gratitude to Irene Rodriguez, Executive Director, for graciously offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the museum's operations. Additionally, our Champions engaged in a meaningful group activity crafting Cabot’s branded postcards for distribution to local senior citizens. This enriching experience was complemented by a delicious lunch provided by Azure Palm Hot Springs Café.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 

Visit Greater Palm Springs has contracted with North Star Place Branding + Marketing to establish a brand and marketing strategy specific to economic development for Greater Palm Springs.  

Representatives from North Star were onsite at the Visit Greater Palm Springs offices May 29–30 to facilitate focus groups and one-on-one interviews with a variety of stakeholders. The focus groups were centered on five industries: Agriculture, Arts & Entertainment, Clean Energy, Development, and Healthcare. These industries were identified as initial regional opportunities to explore for economic growth. Interviews were utilized for obtaining general insight on the region from individuals with a wide range of interests and experience.  

ONGOING FREE PROMOTION OPPORTUNITIES

Getaway Offers – Share your packages, special experiences, and deals. Log in at MyGreaterPS.com to upload your “special offers” and attract more visitors.   

Events – Submit your events to our visitor events calendar.   

TEAM GPS offers education and networking opportunities aimed at growing our tourism workforce and cultivating destination ambassadors. Through a combination of education, resources, and networking, TEAM GPS can help elevate those with careers in hospitality, connect them with others in the industry, and expand their knowledge and understanding of our destination. Hospitality employees can enroll in TEAM GPS for FREE. Email Erica Abarca at erica@visitgreaterps.com for more information.   

Visit Greater Palm Springs offers a number of marketing programs aimed at highlighting our region’s sustainability, diversity, accessibility, and commitment to inclusion that offer partners the opportunity to connect with new audiences and increase their marketing exposure. 

LISTINGS ON VISITGREATERPALMSPRINGS.COM 

Between March – May of 2024, partner listings received 226,737 views and over 190k referral clicks to partner websites. Visit MyGreaterPS.com to log in and view your business listings views and clicks and make updates.  

Visit Greater Palm Springs now offers partners the opportunity to promote their business through EngageGPS. Tourism-related businesses in Greater Palm Springs are now eligible to join and receive the following benefits at no cost:   

• Partner communications - Tourism partner newsletter, "In the Loop," FAM participation requests, service requests, and other partner communications 

• Access to VGPS website to post content - Through a personalized log-in, you can create your free listing on our website, post special offers and events, add images, receive referrals and service requests from groups and meeting planners, update your website listing, and more  

• Invitations to industry events - Receive invitations to partner events, networking opportunities, educational seminars, and fundraising events 

• Advertising discounts - Opportunity to take advantage of advertising discounts in Palm Springs Life's "The Guide," with a circulation of nearly 70,000 copies per month and distribution to 350 high-traffic locations throughout the valley 

• ​Visit center visibility - Display your brochures and guides in the VGPS Visitor Center 

Visit MyGreaterPS.com to sign up. 

Autism Certification  - Visit Greater Palm Springs is working with local partners and cities with the goal of becoming a Certified Autism Destination. In the first year of this initiative, 15 partners, including the City of Palm Desert, became Certified Autism Centers, with many more in the process of earning their certification. The commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in our community has been incredibly encouraging, and we look forward to achieving Certified Autism Destination status in 2024 and continuing work with many more businesses to train their staff on autism awareness and sensitivity. See more information on how to get certified on our Partner Autism Certification Page.   

Kind Traveler  - Kind Traveler is the first  "Give + Get" hotel booking and education platform that empowers travelers to make a positive impact in the communities they visit. We launched a partnership with them in 2023 that gave travelers the opportunity to give back to Friends of the Desert Mountains or The Center with their reservation and receive "kind offers" from partnered hotels. Current lodging partners include Acme House Co., Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa, Azure Sky, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, and The Good House.  20 youths served with outdoor science STEAM supplies with Friends of the Desert Mountains   

If your property is interested in being included on the KindTraveler.com booking platform, contact Jessica Blotter via email to learn more.   

Monthly Meet & Sees and other partners events give partners an opportunity to experience new venues and network with our hospitality community. Thank you to our January Meet & See host, Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa and February’s Meet & See hosts, Flannery Exchange and Lulu Catering & Events.

Meet & See at The Palm Club at The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa 
March 28  

Meet & See at BMW Performance Center West  
April 18 

Tourism Foundation Golf Tournament 
Thank you to everyone who supported this year's Tourism Foundation Golf Tournament & Reception at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa April 30, 2024. The event raised over $35,000 that will go toward scholarships for students in the Coachella Valley and training programs for those in the hospitality industry. From the shotgun start to the evening reception and silent auction, every moment showcased our community’s shared vision and dedication.

Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week Kickoff at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage 
May 29

 

 

 

 

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These networking, education, and experience events are possible thanks to the support of our Oasis and San Jacinto Partners:  

Visit Greater Palm Springs now offers partners the opportunity to promote their business through EngageGPS. Tourism-related businesses in Greater Palm Springs are now eligible to join and receive the following benefits at no cost:  

• Partner communications - Tourism partner newsletter, "In the Loop," FAM participation requests, service requests, and other partner communications
• Access to VGPS website to post content - Through a personalized log-in, you can create your free listing on our website, post special offers and events, add images, receive referrals and service requests from groups and meeting planners, update your website listing, and more 
• Invitations to industry events - Receive invitations to partner events, networking opportunities, educational seminars, and fundraising events
• Advertising discounts - Opportunity to take advantage of advertising discounts in Palm Springs Life's "The Guide," with a circulation of nearly 70,000 copies per month and distribution to 350 high-traffic locations throughout the valley
• ​Visit center visibility - Display your brochures and guides in the VGPS Visitor Center

Visit MyGreaterPS.com to sign up.

TEAM GPS Champions training is now available online through our partnership with College of the Desert. Visit goTEAMgps.com to become a TEAM GPS Champion online today! 

TEAM GPS Champions now have access to the TEAM GPS Champions pass! An online pass that offers free and discounted admission as well as rewards for checking in at local businesses featured on the pass.   

Submit your offers for the CHAMPIONS PASS – Turn our TEAM GPS Champions into champions for your business by offering a free experience or deal on the TEAM GPS Champions Pass. Email Erica Abarca at erica@visitgreaterps.com to participate.