With sun-kissed skies, swaying palm trees, and mountains you can almost reach out and touch, Greater Palm Springs provides an inspiring backdrop for brainstorming big ideas and connecting with colleagues. The destination’s nine distinct cities—Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, and Coachella—offer a unique blend of venues and attractions, from historic midcentury modern estates and sprawling polo fields to hockey games and hot mineral springs. It's this variety of experiences combined with such a relaxing atmosphere that groups love most about meeting in Greater Palm Springs.
A Sunny Meeting Oasis
Enjoying more than 300 days of sunshine each year, Greater Palm Springs is the perfect destination in any season. Winter highs reach the 70s, while spring and fall temperatures hover in the upper 80s. Even summer is pure bliss. Simply schedule indoor day sessions, break for a pool party with umbrella drinks, and then reconvene for alfresco dining affairs blanketed by twinkling lights and stars. Or elevate your event with a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which climbs more than 8,500 feet to the top of Mount San Jacinto, where cooler temperatures and miles of hiking trails await.
Easy Air Access
Getting to Greater Palm Springs has never been easier. Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) offers 30-plus nonstop flights across 12 airlines and connections to more than 500 destinations worldwide. SmarterTravel.com even named PSP one of its 10 Most Stress-Free Airports in America; with open-air walkways, lushly landscaped courtyards, and fewer crowds, the airport is far from frenzied, allowing attendees to arrive relaxed and inspired. Plus, a $36 million renovation in the works will enhance almost every aspect of the traveler experience, including new locally inspired food and retail vendors coming in 2023.
New Experiences on the Agenda
An ever-growing lineup of compelling resorts and attractions means there's always something new for groups to experience. Acrisure Arena, an 11,000-seat sports and entertainment venue, opened its doors to hockey fans, music lovers, and meeting planners in December and not only hosts concerts and private events but is also home to the Seattle Kraken’s American Hockey League (AHL) franchise, the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Another exciting development on the horizon is the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza, encompassing The Spa at Séc-he (opening this April and featuring natural hot mineral waters) and a 48,000-square-foot cultural museum that celebrates the history, culture, and modern achievements of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Groups will be able to host private events and team building at this unique space in the heart of downtown Palm Springs.
Not far from this new cultural attraction you’ll find one of the latest additions to an already incredible range of accommodations: the Thompson Palm Springs, opening mid-2023 and featuring 168 luxury guest rooms, plus panoramic views of the San Jacinto Mountains.
Outside-the-Box Venues
The breathtaking scenery and year-round sunshine that make Greater Palm Springs a favorite for planners also make it the perfect setting for outdoor events and activities, with many hotels and resorts featuring expansive patios, courtyards, and grassy lawns. The destination’s wide range of outdoor meeting space includes major resort properties such as La Quinta Resort & Club, set on 45 acres of citrus trees and lushly landscaped grounds, and the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells, known for their terraces, gardens, and lawns with breathtaking views.
Groups can also break out in a whole new way at unique venues like the BMW Performance Center (where attendees mix meetings with high-speed laps around the racetrack), the Empire Polo Club (a sprawling venue that offers fun team-building activities like golf cart polo), and The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens (a wonderfully “wild” space with group animal encounters).
Get a behind-the-scenes look at some of Greater Palm Springs’ unique meeting venues in the original video series “Find Your Meeting Oasis.”
An Inspiring Convention Center
The Palm Springs Convention Center, located within walking distance of incredible dining, shopping, and cultural attractions in downtown Palm Springs, exceeds all expectations — starting with its lobby, where panoramic mountain views make meetings more inspiring. In addition to featuring 120,000 square feet of carpeted exhibit space, the convention center offers 21 breakout rooms, two spacious ballrooms, and a 20,000-square-foot event lawn.
The Palm Springs Convention Center also focuses on how their events are impacting the community and the Earth, whether it’s partnering with the city’s recycling program or enacting their own sustainable practices, including a food composting program that captures 98% of food waste, the installation of more than 2,700 solar panels on the roof, on-site catering that prioritizes sourcing local ingredients, and the use of recycled paper products throughout the venue.
Incredible Value & Savings
In addition to easy air access, new developments and attractions, and unique venues, planners can capitalize on the destination’s off-peak “chill” summer season with the Meeting Oasis incentive, which includes rebates for events taking place in June, July, or August of 2023, 2024, or 2025.
How does it work? Visit Greater Palm Springs provides clients with a rebate that can be utilized for facility rental, food and beverage expenditures, audio visual expenses, or other meetings-related fees. The credit will be awarded based on 80% pick up of paid and consumed rooms at one of the destination’s hotels or resorts.
Planners will also find various group savings and offers available from Greater Palm Springs hotels and attractions throughout the year to help create great experiences for their attendees while increasing ROI for their company, organization, or association.
To learn more about planning an event in this Southern California meeting oasis, visit www.meetingsinpalmsprings.com.
