(Greater Palm Springs, CA) – More than 650 hospitality professionals, students and their families from across the Coachella Valley gathered to celebrate the spirit of Greater Palm Springs tourism at the annual Champions of Hospitality Gala held yesterday at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells. The event presented by Visit Greater Palm Springs was an opportunity to unite Greater Palm Springs’ hospitality community and highlight the positive impact tourism employees have on local businesses and visitors.
While the Champions of Hospitality Awards Gala celebrates the individuals and organizations that embody the innovative spirit of the local tourism and hospitality industry, the event also serves as a fundraising vehicle for the Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation, raising more than $90,000 through sponsorships, silent auction and donations. At the event, the Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation awarded $24,000 in scholarships to four college students from across the Coachella Valley and five seniors from Coachella Valley High School’s Hospitality Academy.
NBC Palm Springs morning anchor Thalia Hayden and Telemundo 15 news anchor and reporter Hernan Quintas emceed the Awards, which drew more than 175 nominations across a variety of categories. Twenty individuals were recognized with the Hospitality Award for enriching the overall visitor experience by providing exceptional customer service and hospitality. Special recognition was made to seven individuals considered to be rising stars in the local tourism industry with the San Jacinto Rising Star Award.
The Palm Award was presented to five individuals/organizations who elevate the Greater Palm Springs brand and inspire more visitors to the destination by consistently ensuring extremely high-quality guest services, unique experiences, or customer value.
Two special awards were made to recognize those making a significant impact in the areas of Sustainability and Diversity. The City of La Quinta was the recipient of the Oasis Award for Sustainability for its program of working with every dining establishment in the city on composting. Nathan Kelleher, Guest Relations and Club Lounge Manager at The Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage, was presented the Santa Rosa Diversity Award for developing programs that support the LGBTQ+ community in the hospitality industry in the Coachella Valley.
The culminating award of the event, the Spirit of Tourism Award, was presented to Tim Lieweke, CEO of Oak View Group/Acrisure Arena, to recognize his embodiment of the spirit of tourism in the valley and his diligent work to move the overall industry forward in both actions and spirit. Paul Tollett, CEO & President of Goldenvoice and 2018 Spirit of Tourism winner, made the presentation.
2023 CHAMPION OF HOSPITALITY AWARD WINNERS
HOSPITALITY AWARD
Awarded for enriching the overall visitor experience by providing exceptional customer service and hospitality.
Freddy Barragan Aguilar, Parker Palm Springs
Angie Bettinelli, Azure Sky Hotel
Heriberto “Beto” Caballero, Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa
Margie Diaz, Meredith Lodging
Elizabeth Donate, Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert
Guillermo Esquivel, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
Tim Fields, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
Jessica Gonzales, Acrisure Arena
Juan Gonzalez, TQLAS and The Hideout Kitchen + Bar
Levi Hernandez, Escape Room Palm Springs
Garth Hoyes, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
Yolanda Leyva, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage
Enma Lopez, Hampton Inn & Suites Indio
Martha Lucio, Hilton Palm Springs
Martin Oliveros, La Quinta Resort and Club
Griselda Perez, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Rosa Sanchez, Rancho Relaxo
Tatiana Schneider, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
Jennifer Torricelli, Café One Eleven at Agua Caliente Cathedral City
James Toscano, The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa
Ioana Vasile, The Spring Resort & Spa
OASIS AWARD
Awarded for leading in eco-friendly tourism and implementing green/sustainable practices into their business.
City of La Quinta
PALM AWARD VISITOR EXPERIENCE
Elevates the Greater Palm Springs brand and inspires more visitors to the destination by consistently ensuring extremely high-quality guest services, unique experiences, or customer value.
Aric Ianni, Boozehounds Palm Springs
Palm Springs Air Museum
Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival
Sean Smith, CV BBQ
Daniel Spencer, The Spa at Séc-he and Sunstone Spa at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage
SAN JACINTO AWARD
Presented to an individual who has worked in hospitality or tourism for less than 5 years, or is under 40 years of age, and has contributed to the promotion of travel, tourism, and hospitality in Greater Palm Springs.
Nicole Benvenutti, COJ Events, Inc.
Abril Betancourt, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa
Jocelyn Gutierrez, ACME House Company
Gilbert Lujan, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
Jose “Chuy” De Jesus Martin, Lulu Catering and Events
Bianca Nolasco, Empire Polo Club
Christine Willinsky, FARM, Tac/Quila, Front Porch, and Clandestino
SANTA ROSA DIVERSITY AWARD
Recognizes an individual who, by advocating, educating, developing programs, and/or raising awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues, has strengthened, and affected meaningful change to improve DEI in our hospitality and tourism industry.
Nathan Kelleher, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
SPIRIT OF TOURISM AWARD
This is the highest recognition presented annually to an individual whose dedication and commitment to the local tourism and hospitality industry has had a significant positive impact on the destination’s economy and quality of life.
Tim Lieweke, Oak View Group/Acrisure Arena
Coachella Valley High School Hospitality Academy Scholarship Award
Christopher Bravo
Marifer Felix
Mariela Herran
Melanie Martinez
Anlle Murillo
Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation Scholarship Recipients
George Cabrera
Sebastian Jaimes-Miranda
Matthew January
Itzel Posada
Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/qoesf6nvqzl8ve3l7svnc/h?rlkey=n0msgmrqknswwxd5v8xe87afq&dl=0
Photo Captions:
OasisAward_CityofLaQuinta_PhotosByLani – The City of LaQuinta received the Oasis Award for Sustainability at the Champions of Hospitality Awards at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, October 30, 2023. Pictured L-R are: Thalia Hayden, morning news anchor at NBC Palm Springs; Steve Sanchez, Mayor Pro Tem, City of La Quinta; Linda Evans, Mayor, City of La Quinta; Scott White, President & CEO, Visit Greater Palm Springs.
ScholarshipWinners_PhotosByLani – The Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation awarded $24,000 in scholarships to four college students from across the Coachella Valley and five seniors from Coachella Valley High School’s Hospitality Academy at the Champions of Hospitality Awards at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, October 30, 2023. Pictured L-R are: Lauren Bruggemans, Director of Sustainability & Community Engagement, Visit Greater Palm Springs; Christopher Bravo, student; Davis Meyer, Senior Director of Community Engagement, Visit Greater Palm Springs; Marifer Felix, Mariela Herran, Melanie Martinez, Anlle Murillo, George Cabrera, Sebastian Jaimes-Miranda, Mathew January and Itzel Posada, students; Scott White, President & CEO, Visit Greater Palm Springs.
SpiritofTourism_TimLieweke_PhotosByLani – Tim Lieweke was awarded the Spirit of Tourism Award at the Champions of Hospitality Awards at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, October 30, 2023. Pictured L-R are: Paul Tollett, CEO & President of Goldenvoice; Tim Lieweke, CEO of Oak View Group/Acrisure Arena; Scott White, President & CEO, Visit Greater Palm Springs.
Photo Credit (all photos): Lani Garfield, www.photosbylani.com
A full list of nominees may be found at www.gpstourismfoundation.com.
About Visit Greater Palm Springs
Visit Greater Palm Springs is the official tourism marketing agency for the nine-city Southern California oasis of Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella. Founded in 1989 with a mission to positively affect the destination’s $8.7 billion tourism economy and quality of life for its citizens, the organization serves more than 3,000 business partners, providing sales, marketing and PR targeted to potential leisure travelers and event, meeting, and convention group markets.
About Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation
The Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation is committed to economic mobility for residents of the Coachella Valley and advancing our tourism workforce along with improving sustainability and diversity, equity, and inclusion in our industry. Foundation programs include college scholarships to local students pursuing degrees in hospitality, supporting industry mentorship and internship programs, and providing grants to cities for projects that enhance the visitor experience or advance accessibility, sustainability, diversity, equity, or inclusion in our community.
Media Contact:
Laura Hunt Little
760.969.1316 |760.898.2988
