Palm Springs, CA – December 6, 2022 – Visit Greater Palm Springs held its Champions of Hospitality
Awards Gala at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, Nov. 30, 2022. More than 600 hospitality
professionals from across the Coachella Valley gathered to celebrate the resilient and innovative spirit of the
hospitality industry.
The Palm Springs Convention Center won the Palm Award for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
Accepting the award, it was noted “the Convention Center became a leader in supporting residents, welcoming
groups and meetings back, and increasing resources for the community with events such as the anti-bullying
symposium, Find Food distribution, DAP Monkeypox vaccine clinic, Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, and so
much more.”
Rob Hampton, the General Manager of the Palm Springs Convention Center stated, “We are thrilled to accept
this award on behalf of the Palm Springs Convention Center. Even though Covid-19 brought many challenges,
it also brought opportunities for greater community support.”
Mario Irrera, Director of Operations at the Palm Springs Convention Center, won the Venue Champion award
for providing the highest level of service to this unique and expansive venue which contributed to overall
exceptional customer experiences.
Awards were also presented to 19 individuals recognized for enriching the overall visitor experience by
providing exceptional customer service and hospitality as well as five awards to rising stars in the industry. All
proceeds from the event support the Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation, established in 2018 to
promote diverse programming related to the hospitality, convention, and tourism industries.
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About Palm Springs, CA
Palm Springs is welcoming visitors to its dynamic downtown with stylish hotels, new fashionable restaurants,
and chic shops, as well as welcoming outdoor spaces for dining and relaxing. With 360 days of sun-kissed weather
and gorgeous scenery, it’s no wonder Palm Springs is like no place else. Just over a two-hour drive from Los
Angeles and San Diego, find your perfect place to stay, things to do, places to eat, drink and shop at
www.VisitPalmSprings.com.
About Visit Greater Palm Springs
Visit Greater Palm Springs 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, Visit GPS provides sales, marketing, and PR, and
destination development activities to grow visitation from potential leisure travelers and events, meetings, and
convention group markets.
