GREATER PALM SPRINGS, CA (October 30, 2026) – More than 1,000 tourism and hospitality leaders came together last night at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa for the annual Champions of Hospitality Awards Gala, a signature celebration honoring the workforce that powers Greater Palm Springs’ number one industry. The program this year received 240 nominations from hospitality partners across all nine cities of the destination—underscoring the depth, diversity, and enduring strength of the region’s tourism workforce.
Hosted by Visit Greater Palm Springs and supported by the TEAM GPS Foundation, the gala recognized employees, organizations, and emerging leaders who exemplify exceptional service, innovation, sustainability, and community impact.
“What makes Greater Palm Springs special has always been its people,” said Scott White, President & CEO of Visit Greater Palm Springs. “Behind every memorable visitor experience is someone who genuinely cares about what they do and the people they serve. Our annual Champions of Hospitality Awards Gala is our opportunity to recognize the incredible individuals who give so much of themselves to make others feel welcome.”
SPIRIT OF TOURISM AWARD
(From left) Rolf Hoehn, Debbie Dolan, Indio Mayor Pro Tem Waymond Fermon, Davis Meyer, Scott White, (in front) Janice Oliphant.
This year, the evening’s highest award posthumously honored Richard R. “Dick” Oliphant, recognizing his lasting contributions to Greater Palm Springs and his significant role in advancing the region’s tourism industry, economic growth, and cultural vitality.
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY: SCHOLARSHIP RECOGNITION
In addition to industry awards, the evening highlighted the next generation of hospitality professionals through scholarships presented by the TEAM GPS Foundation. Students from both the Coachella Valley High School Hospitality Academy and OneFuture Coachella Valley were recognized, along with the recipient of the Tony Bruggemans Memorial Scholarship.
Coachella Valley High School Hospitality Academy Scholarship Recipients
- Josue Contreras
- Addai Flores
- Evelyn Garcia
- Jazlhen Jacinto
- Gabriela Moreno
OneFuture Coachella Valley Scholarship Recipients
- Dayana Abraham Elizarraz
- Melanie Acosta
- Edith Alcala
- Christopher Bravo Lopez
- George Cabrera-Becerra
- Ashley Garcia
- Leo Juarez
- Melanie Martinez-Chavez
- Sebastian Jaimes-Miranda
- Jacquelinee Sandoval
Tony Bruggemans Memorial Scholarship Recipient
- Brenda Franco Alcala
(From left) Nusrat Mirza, Bob Schneider, John Shay, Brenda Franco Alcala, Aftab Dada, Lauren Bruggemans, Scott White.
CHAMPIONS OF HOSPITALITY AWARDS
Oasis Award (Sustainability)
Recognizes leadership in eco-friendly, sustainable practices.
- Guadalupe (Lupe) Aguilera, La Quinta Resort & Club
- ModMansions
TEAM GPS Impact Award
Recognizes a person or organization that demonstrates exceptional commitment to the TEAM GPS Foundation.
- JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
PALM AWARD – VISITOR EXPERIENCE
Recognizing outstanding guest service and memorable visitor experiences.
- Danielle McCombs, Miracle Manor Boutique Hotel & Spa
- Paulette Monarrez, Korakia Pensione
- Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Tribal Rangers
SAN JACINTO RISING STARS
Recognizing emerging leaders with fewer than five years in the industry or under age 40.
- Sabrina Aguirre, The Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage
- Skyler Bell, L’Horizon Resort & Spa
- Nona Duarte, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
- Joshua Lopez-Robles, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
- Ish Ramirez, Acrisure Arena
- Ismael Zazueta, Thompson Palm Springs
Santa Rosa Impact Award (DEIA)
Honors excellence in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
- Celeste Brackley, The Saguaro Palm Springs
- Aristotle McDaniel, GPL-Grandparents Love
HOSPITALITY AWARDS
Restaurant | Bar Champions
- Marco Castillo, Freddie's Kitchen
- Gonzalo Hernandez, Al dente Trattoria
- Alex Ortega, Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
- Jorge Castillo Sanchez, Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City
- Jesus German, Parker Palm Springs
Experiences | Attractions | Tours Champions
- Annie Poy, Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory
- Robert “Dalton” Prine, Escape Room Palm Springs
Experiences | Retail Champion
- Nick Paco, Drag & Fly Tours
Experiences | Wellness | Spa Champion
- Doris Shell, The Spa at Séc-he
Experiences | Golf Champion
- Mark Ennis, Mission Hills Country Club
- Daniel Horning, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Experiences | Venue | Events Champion
- Juan-Carlos Diaz, The Plaza Theatre
- Garrett Kelly, Encore Global
Vacation Rental Champions
- Elena Lopez, Poolside Vacation Rentals
- Rick Cauley, Casago Coachella Valley
Boutique or Hot Spring Hotel Champion
- Daniela Gonzalez, The Spring Resort & Spa
- Martha Ojeda, Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa Oasis
- Juan Parra, Two Bunch Palms
Select Service Hotel Champions
- Gabriela Siordia, Hampton Inn & Suites Palm Desert
- Adriana Enriquez, The Dunes Hotel Palm Springs
Full-Service Hotel Champions
- Darby Butts, Hotel Paseo
- Abigail Olvera, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
- Barry Salyer, Hilton Palm Springs
Resort Hotel Champions
- Jennifer Liu, Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage
- Veronica Tabaldo, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
- Nely Domingo, Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas
- Bertha Garcia, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
- Erika Giron, The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa
- Maria “Conchita” Nuno, Marriott’s Shadow Ridge
- Eric Silva, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
- Phil Stein, La Quinta Resort & Club
Proceeds from the Champions of Hospitality Awards Gala support the TEAM GPS Foundation. A silent auction benefiting the TEAM GPS Foundation is available at onecau.se/2026champions. This year, more than $170,000 was raised for the TEAM GPS Foundation.
