(Greater Palm Springs, CA) – Visit Greater Palm Springs is proud to announce the 2023 outstanding nominees for the Champions of Hospitality Awards, an annual celebration of excellence in the Greater Palm Springs tourism and hospitality industry. The Champions of Hospitality Awards are presented annually by Visit Greater Palm Springs to recognize and honor the individuals and organizations that make a significant impact on the local tourism and hospitality sector.
Nominees in seventeen categories have played a vital role in enhancing the visitor experience and promoting Greater Palm Springs as a world-class destination. These exceptional nominees have been selected from a pool of outstanding candidates for their remarkable contributions to the Greater Palm Springs tourism and hospitality industry.
The awards ceremony will take place on Monday, October 30, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, where the winners will be celebrated for their outstanding achievements. The event will feature a gala dinner, networking opportunities, and a chance to honor the nominees and winners.
Sponsorship and tickets are available including opportunities to sponsor a Hospitality Champion nominee to attend for free. More information is available at: https://www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/partnerportal/partners/champions-of-hospitality/
The 2023 Champions of Hospitality Award nominees are:
HOSPITALITY CHAMPION AWARD
This award is presented to those well-deserving non-managerial employees identified as enriching the overall visitor experience by providing exceptional customer service and hospitality. Awards are presented in sub-categories by type of business and the role of the employee as customer facing (front of house), or behind-the-scenes (heart of house).
ATTRACTIONS | TOURS
- Derek Burreson, Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert
- Adriana Cazares, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
- Juan Diaz, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
- Levi Hernandez, Escape Room Palm Springs
- Garth Hoyes, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
- Heather Shields, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
BOUTIQUE OR HOT SPRING HOTEL
- Angie Bettinelli, Azure Sky Hotel
- AJ Cantley, Drift Hotel Palm Springs
- Van Stevens, The Good House Hotel & Spa
FULL SERVICE HOTEL - FRONT OF HOUSE
- Maria Espinoza-Castaneda, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
- Wes Koeberlein, Hotel ZOSO
- Martha Lucio, Hilton Palm Springs
- Alen Merdan, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
- Dorie Needham, Palm Mountain Resort & Spa
- Manuel Perez, Hilton Palm Springs
- Javier Ruiz, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
- Randy Watson, The Saguaro Palm Springs
FULL SERVICE HOTEL - HEART OF HOUSE
- Antonio Frias, The Saguaro Palm Springs
- Daniel Garcia, Hotel ZOSO
- Carla Martin, Hilton Palm Springs
- Monica Rivera, Hilton Palm Springs
- David Sandell, Parker Palm Springs
- Dayu Zhang, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
RESORT HOTEL - FRONT OF HOUSE
- Ana Aceves Tellez, La Quinta Resort and Club
- Randy Araiza, Parker Palm Springs
- Trevin Bissainthe, The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa
- Heriberto "Beto" Caballero, Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa
- Candelaria Campos- Mendoza, Marriott's Desert Springs Villas
- Matthias Caryofilles, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
- Reynaldo Dominguez, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
- Yarilin Dominguez, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
- Elizabeth Donate, Hilton Grand Vacations Club Palm Desert
- Guillermo Esquivel, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
- Elizabeth Gallegos, The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa
- Alias Halay-ay, Sensei Porcupine Creek
- Juan Lopez, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
- Cruz Marquez, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
- Chris Morano, Parker Palm Springs
- Amber Owens, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
- Jasmina Piper, La Quinta Resort and Club
- Elba Ramos, The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa
- Bailey Rodas, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Rancho Mirage
- Linda Rodriguez, La Quinta Resort and Club
- Jadranka Sabanovic, Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
- Christy Salem, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
- Mike Sarinana, The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa
- Tatiana Schneider, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
- Sanjeev Shandel, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
- Abraham Soto, Marriott's Desert Springs Villas
- Amparo Tejeda, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
- Melina Toribio, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
- James Toscano, The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa
- Norma Vidrio, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
RESORT HOTEL - HEART OF HOUSE
- Natalie Aleman, Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa
- Johnny Andrade, La Quinta Resort and Club
- Caszondra Arrieta, Sensei Porcupine Creek
- Carlos Bahena- Marquez, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
- Martin Castelo, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
- Guillermina Cruz, La Quinta Resort and Club
- Maribel De La Cruz, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
- Carlos Gallardo, Sensei Porcupine Creek
- Lydia Greer, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
- Miles Hernandez, La Quinta Resort and Club
- Yolanda Leyva, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Rancho Mirage
- Herlinda Lucero, La Quinta Resort and Club
- Marley Melchiorre, Sensei Porcupine Creek
- Martin Oliveros, La Quinta Resort and Club
- Dylan Robinson, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
- Alma Rodriguez, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
- Antonio Sandoval, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
- Tony Valencia, Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
RESTAURANT | BAR - FRONT OF HOUSE
- Carlos Argumedo, FARM and The Front Porch
- Erlinda Carino, 360 Sports Bar at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
- Scott Jones, The Edge Steakhouse at The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage - The Edge Steakhouse
- Jennifer Torricelli, Café One Eleven at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City
- Nick Turner, Maleza at Drift Hotel Palm Springs
- Michael Vu, Neil's Lounge
- Griselda Perez, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
RESTAURANT | BAR - HEART OF HOUSE
- David Arreguin, FARM, Tac/Quila, Front Porch, and Clandestino
- Carolina Gonzales, Lulu California Bistro
- Juan Gonzalez, TQLAS and The Hideout Kitchen + Bar
- Elidio Guevara, Café One Eleven at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City
- Nenita Hamrick, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Rancho Mirage
- Ameena Hosein, Waters Café at Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage
- Guillermo Lopez, The Steakhouse at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
- Delia Miranda, Rockwood Grill at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
- Marcial Molina, Lulu California Bistro
- Judith Perez, Dragon Lili Boba Bar
- Noe Soto, Daily Grill Palm Desert
- Indira Velasquez, Lulu California Bistro
RETAIL
- Bubba Espejo, On The Mark Palm Springs
- Pamela Franssen, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
- Crystal Robledo, Rancho Relaxo
- Paul Rupa, Palm Springs Visitor Center
- Rosa Sanchez, Rancho Relaxo
- Dennis Troy, Rancho Relaxo
SELECT SERVICE HOTEL
- Nancy Auclair, Hampton Inn & Suites Indio
- Yadira Avila, Hampton Inn & Suites Indio
- Efrain Hernandez, Hampton Inn & Suites Palm Desert
- Enma Lopez, Hampton Inn & Suites Indio
- Shirley Parks, Hampton Inn & Suites Palm Desert
- Patty Zamora, Hampton Inn & Suites Indio
VACATION RENTAL
- Ashley Bastardi, Palm Desert Vacation Properties
- Margie Diaz, Meredith Lodging
- Michael Hernandez, Meredith Lodging
VENUE
- Ericka Boring, Bright Event Rentals
- John Delgado, Acrisure Arena
- Fuego, Acrisure Arena
- Jessica Gonzalez, Acrisure Arena
- Jacob Keene, Acrisure Arena
WELLNESS | SPA
- Freddy Barragan Aguilar, Parker Palm Springs
- Cathy Cleary, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
- Katherine Cuomo, Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa
- Tim Fields, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
- Brenda Lasarzig, La Quinta Resort and Club
- Resaleen Maurer, Sensei Porcupine Creek
- Yessica Mendoza, The Good House Hotel & Spa
- Maribel Silva, La Quinta Resort and Club
- Ioana Vasile, The Spring Resort & Spa
OASIS AWARD FOR SUSTAINABILITY
This award is presented to the individual or organization who has pioneered or implemented eco-friendly (green and sustainable) practices into their businesses or community.
- Blake Attaway, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
- Jessica Blotter, Kind Traveler
- Brian Edson, The Good House Hotel & Spa
- City of La Quinta
- SunLine Transit Agency
- The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
PALM AWARD FOR VISITOR EXPERIENCE
This award recognizes an individual or organization who, by consistently ensuring extremely high-quality guest services, unique experiences, or customer value, elevates the Greater Palm Springs brand and inspires more visitors to the destination.
- Jen Baldivid, Old Polo Estate
- Renee Barnett, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
- Mitchell Battersby, Greater Palm Springs Pride
- Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival
- Brian Edson, The Good House Hotel & Spa
- Eddy Estrada, Smarter Property Management
- Mike Flannery, ACME House Company
- Aric Ianni, Boozehounds Palm Springs
- Yesenia Johnson, Azure Palm Hot Springs
- Patrick Klein, The Gardens on El Paseo
- Wayne Krygier, The Spring Resort & Spa
- Maria Lease, Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort
- Jose Lechuga, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
- Jennie McJilton, Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours
- Elizabeth Ostoich, FARM, Tac/Quila, Front Porch, and Clandestino
- Palm Springs Air Museum
- Alexis & Chris Ramirez, Superbloom
- Kimberly Renee, Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours
- Nancy Rhine, Grill A Burger and The Hideout Kitchen + Bar
- Toni Romero, Sacher Enterprises
- Darin Roper, Access
- Sensei Porcupine Creek
- Jeffery Silberberg, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
- Amy Smith, The Shops on El Paseo
- Sean Smith, CV BBQ
- Steve Sorg, Parker Palm Springs
- Daniel Spencer, Agua Caliente Casinos: The Spa at Séc-he & Sunstone Spa
- Eric Theiss, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
- Lexi Ward, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
SAN JACINTO RISING STAR AWARD
This award recognizes individuals in hospitality or tourism who are rising stars in our industry. Nominees are either less than 5 years in the industry, or under 40 years of age, and have contributed through their efforts, to the promotion of travel, tourism, and hospitality in Greater Palm Springs. The recipient is an individual who has demonstrated the skills, talents, attitudes and initiative that are the hallmarks of a future tourism leader.
- Kristian Agdeppa, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
- Nicole Benvenutti, COJ Events, Inc.
- Abril Betancourt, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
- Brian Edson, The Good House Hotel & Spa
- Jonathan Esparza Jaimes, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
- Juan Gonzales, Sensei Porcupine Creek
- Jocelyn Gutierrez, ACME House Company
- Gilbert Lujan, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
- Gustavo Luna, Luna Bar & Grill
- Jose "Chuy" De Jesus Martin, Lulu Catering & Events
- Juan Carlos Martin, TQLAS and The Hideout Kitchen + Bar
- Bianca Nolasco, Empire Polo Club
- Christine Willinisky, FARM, Tac/Quila, Front Porch, and Clandestino
- Austin Youngerman, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
SANTA ROSA DIVERSITY CHAMPION AWARD
This award recognizes an individual or organization who, by advocating, educating, developing programs, and/or raising awareness of DEI and/or accessibility, has strengthened and affected meaningful change to improve diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or accessibility in our hospitality and tourism industry.
- Brian Edson, The Good House Hotel & Spa
- Nathan Kelleher, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
- Fernando Mondragon, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
SPIRIT OF TOURISM AWARD
This is the highest recognition presented annually to an individual whose dedication and commitment to the tourism industry has had a significant positive impact on the destination’s economy and quality of life.
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About the Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation
The Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the tourism and hospitality industry in Greater Palm Springs. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, the Tourism Foundation works to ensure that Greater Palm Springs remains a premier travel destination. Proceeds from the Champions of Hospitality Awards ceremony go toward funding initiatives that benefit the local tourism community.
About Visit Greater Palm Springs
Visit Greater Palm Springs (VGPS) is the official destination marketing organization 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 $7.5 billion tourism economy and quality of life for its residents, VGPS provides sales, marketing and PR, and destination development activities to grow visitation from potential leisure travelers and event, meeting and convention group markets.
