TEAM GPS Foundation

Workforce Development & Regional Engagement

The spring quarter was marked by strong regional collaborations and advocacy for local youth pathways. On March 4, our Passport to Leadership program received valuable exposure at the Riverside County State of Education event, where it was featured as part of a spotlight on Coachella Valley High School’s tourism academy. 

We continued the momentum on March 24 by hosting the Workforce Readiness Committee Meeting, which served as a vital forum for discussing evolving industry needs and hearing firsthand testimonials from our Leadership Institute participants.  

On May 7, the Foundation proudly sponsored PSUSD’s CTE Showcase at the Palm Springs Air Museum, reinforcing our active investment in Career Technical Education and our partnership with local school districts. 

Beyond these specific events, we continue to drive regional workforce strategy through our ongoing leadership as Co-Chairs of OneFuture Coachella Valley’s Business Engagement Committee, ensuring the hospitality and tourism sector remains central to local economic and talent development. 

Speaking Engagements & Direct Youth Outreach

Throughout the spring, our team actively engaged with local schools, collegiate programs, and young professional networks to advocate for career pathways and foster the next generation of industry leaders within Greater Palm Springs. 

• PSUSD Student Ambassador Training (March 6): Conducted a specialized training session for the Mt. San Jacinto High School Hospitality Program, sharing the pathways and opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industry.  
• Desert Town Hall Youth Speaker (March 26): Lauren Bruggemans, Senior Director of Destination Stewardship & Executive Director of the TEAM GPS Foundation, served as the featured Youth Speaker at Desert Town Hall, addressing local students on emerging career paths, leadership development, and the long-term professional opportunities available within the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors. 
• Mobius Conference Panel (April 16): Lauren moderated a panel during the "Hospitality Happy Hour" session, which brought together local entrepreneurs, hospitality students, and community members to discuss entrepreneurship and innovation.  
  
• YPAB & Student Ambassador Engagement (April 21): Along with our Young Professionals Advisory Board, VGPS Community Development Manager Erica Abarca and Laura taught a Student Ambassador training class for 19 students from CSUSB at the Palm Desert Campus, bridging the gap between higher education and active industry leadership through the YPAB framework. 
• SIATech High School Career Day (May 6): Lauren and Erica partnered to present at SIATech's Career Day, sharing industry insights and connecting directly with students to map out tangible employment and educational pathways in the valley. 

By consistently showing up in local classrooms, university campuses, and professional forums, the Foundation continues to inspire emerging talent, change perceptions about hospitality careers, and cultivate a community-wide culture of mentorship. 

Second Annual Student Hospitality Day 

On April 14, the TEAM GPS Foundation hosted its second annual Student Hospitality Day at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa, welcoming approximately 120 high school sophomores from across the Coachella Valley for an immersive introduction to careers in the industry. Through interactive sessions led by local industry professionals, students explored diverse real-world career pathways, including hotel operations, culinary arts, event planning, and tourism management. Participants also gained valuable insight into local internship programs, industry certifications, and upcoming scholarship opportunities. 

Initiatives like Student Hospitality Day are vital to strengthening the connection between local education and the hospitality industry, ensuring a robust and sustainable pipeline for domestic talent to grow, stay, and thrive in Greater Palm Springs. 

CSUSB Student Scholar attends Cal Travel Advocacy Day 

On May 12–13, CSUSB Hospitality Management student Kelly Edwards attended the California Travel Association's Tourism Advocacy Day in Sacramento. Joining VGPS Vice President of Government & Industry Relations Davis Meyer and Senior Director of Destination Stewardship & Executive Director of the TEAM GPS Foundation Lauren Bruggemans, Kelly experienced advocacy in action, gaining hands-on opportunities to network with statewide tourism leaders, build essential professional skills, and learn how to effectively communicate the economic impact of our visitor economy to state legislators. Providing students with direct exposure to policy and industry leadership is critical to helping the next generation find their voice and establish clear career pathways within travel and tourism. 

Fundraising Events

CV Giving Day  

The Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation participated in CV Giving Day 2026, the Coachella Valley's annual 24-hour online giving event where local nonprofits rally their communities to raise funds and compete for bonus awards. The Foundation raised $6,950 through a combination of online platform donations, offline gifts, and a $1,000 Large Donation Match Award earned by hitting early donation targets. A total of 49 unique donors contributed through the online platform, demonstrating strong grassroots support and community engagement. The campaign featured a Rally Hour event hosted at Wildest Restaurant + Bar, where supporters gathered in person to make gifts together in real-time. This Rally Hour was amplified by a $1,000 matching gift challenge that created momentum and inspired immediate donations. Out of 173 participating organizations across the Coachella Valley, the Foundation ranked 3rd in number of donors and 19th in total amount raised. The campaign's success in donor participation demonstrates meaningful community support for the Foundation's mission. 

Foundation Golf Tournament & Rebranding Launch 

On April 30, more than 100 golfers gathered at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage for the annual golf tournament, raising over $50,000 to support youth engagement programs. The event also served as the official launch platform for the rebranding of the Tourism Foundation to the TEAM GPS Foundation, marking an exciting new chapter for our mission. 

Our commitment to workforce development was on full display throughout the day. Students from the Coachella Valley High School (CVHS) Tourism Academy provided exceptional hospitality support, while 12 students from CSUSB were paired with College of the Desert (COD) golf students for a hands-on introductory golf clinic. 

We extend our sincere gratitude to our premier sponsors for making this event a tremendous success: Mission Hills Country Club, The City of Rancho Mirage, David Feltman & DoubleTree Palm Springs, Kaiser Permanente and JNS Next.  

Thank you to all our Hole Sponsors, Prize Sponsors, Auction Donors, and participants for their vital contributions to our community's future workforce. 

Inaugural Student Chef Showcase 

Investing deeply in the next generation of culinarians, the TEAM GPS Foundation successfully launched its inaugural Student Chef Showcase at the T&T Innovation Kitchen at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa on May 6, 2026. 

The event paired talented culinary students from Rancho Mirage High School, La Quinta High School, and the College of the Desert with established local industry Mentor Chefs. In an inspiring full-circle dynamic, these mentor chefs are Coachella Valley natives who returned to the region to advance their careers and pour back into their own community. Together, the student-mentor teams created and presented an exceptional multi-course dining experience for guests. 

Through this initiative, participating students gained invaluable hands-on exposure to professional commercial kitchen operations, direct mentorship, and tangible career pathways within hospitality. The showcase highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to workforce development by strengthening the vital pipeline between local education and the industry. Furthermore, the event successfully raised over $9,000 for culinary scholarships that will directly support local students in continuing their education and professional training. 

GPS Ambassadors  

The GPS Ambassador training pipeline is strong. On April 2, the team delivered two on-site Ambassador Training Programs at The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage where 30 team members completed the 2.5-hour curriculum. At VGPS, in-person classes were held on April 23 with 8 participants, May 20 with 13 participants, and June 11 with 33 participants. Since April, online training has produced 126 new GPS Ambassadors. Of that group, 106 are high school students from Palm Springs Unified School District who completed the training as part of their hospitality and business coursework. 

GPS Ambassadors explored the CV Link during the March 28 to 29 Link Up with self-paced rides and a group ride in Palm Desert supported by Big Wheel Tours. The Link Up showcased the pathway’s role in connecting neighborhoods and parks and offering a safe, scenic mobility option.

On April 28, 54 Ambassadors joined the El Paseo Treasure Hunt, visiting 13 merchants to solve clues, complete quick in-store missions, and learn what the district can offer to visitors. Porta Via hosted the evening reception and anchored the experience, giving teams a place to celebrate, share takeaways, and connect. The next mixer is set for June 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Coachella Valley History Museum with guided stops in the 1926 Smiley-Tyler Adobe House, the restored 1909 Indio schoolroom, and the Date Museum. 

On May 14, the GPS Ambassador Huddle featured Rancho Mirage as part of its bi-monthly webinar series highlighting city programs across the valley. Jessica L. Pulliam, MPA, Deputy of Sustainability, and Gabe Codding, Director of Marketing, outlined the Nature to Nourishment initiative and previewed the 22,000-square-foot Global Wildlife Discovery Museum, with a live Q&A.

On July 22, Thomas Soule, Tourism and Marketing Manager for the City of Palm Desert, will lead a Palm Desert update covering city news, DSRT Surf, and key points of interest from El Paseo to emerging hotspots.