PARTNERSHIP & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT  

Visit Greater Palm Springs offers a number of marketing programs aimed at highlighting our region’s sustainability, diversity, accessibility, and commitment to inclusion that offer partners the opportunity to connect with new audiences and increase their marketing exposure.

Autism Certification  - Visit Greater Palm Springs is working with local partners and cities with the goal of becoming a Certified Autism Destination. In the first year of this initiative, 11 partners, including the City of Palm Desert, became Certified Autism Centers, with many more in the process of earning their certification. The commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in our community has been incredibly encouraging, and we look forward to achieving Certified Autism Destination status in 2024 and continuing work with many more businesses to train their staff on autism awareness and sensitivity. See more information on how to get certified on our Partner Autism Certification Page.  

Kind Traveler  - Kind Traveler is the first  "Give + Get" hotel booking and education platform that empowers travelers to make a positive impact in the communities they visit. We launched a partnership with them in 2023 that gave travelers the opportunity to give back to Friends of the Desert Mountains or The Center with their reservation and receive "kind offers" from partnered hotels. In 2023, hotel partners included Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa, Azure Sky, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, and The Good House.  Highlights included: 

• 62 Pieces of Coverage Featuring Greater Palm Springs 
• 240K Website Views  
• 10.2M Audience Reach  
• 15,932 Lead Referrals/Verified Entires | Email Acquisition Campaign  
• 15 Instagram Posts  
• 165K Social Views  
• $2,539 in Donations to LGBTQ Community Center & Friends of the Desert Mountains  
• 9,316 meals served at The Center  
• 20 youths served with outdoor science STEAM supplies with Friends of the Desert Mountains  

If your hotel is interested in being included on the KindTraveler.com booking platform, contact Jessica Blotter via email to learn more.  

Diverse business listing info  – Your listings on VisitGreaterPalmSprings.com can now include information about diversity and accessibility. This information also helps us connect you with media and marketing opportunities for diverse owned businesses. Log in at MyGreaterPS.com and update your “Amenities: Business Details.”  

ONGOING FREE PROMOTION OPPORTUNITIES

Getaway Offers – Share your packages, special experiences, and deals. Log in at MyGreaterPS.com to upload your “special offers” and attract more visitors.  

Events – Submit your events to our visitor events calendar.  

TEAM GPS offers education and networking opportunities aimed at growing our tourism workforce and cultivating destination ambassadors. Through a combination of education, resources, and networking, TEAM GPS can help elevate those with careers in hospitality, connect them with others in the industry, and expand their knowledge and understanding of our destination. Hospitality employees can enroll in TEAM GPS for FREE. Email Erica Abarca at erica@visitgreaterps.com for more information.  

Monthly Meet & Sees and other partners events give partners an opportunity to experience new venues and network with our hospitality community. Thank you to our January Meet & See host, Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa and February’s Meet & See hosts, Flannery Exchange and Lulu Catering & Events.

Meet & See at Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa
January 25 

Meet & See at Flannery Exchange
February 27

These networking, education, and experience events are possible thanks to the support of our Oasis and San Jacinto Partners:  

We welcomed 2 new investing partners in January and February:  

• Thompson Palm Springs
• Dave & Buster’s Rancho Mirage

The generous support of our new and renewing partners helps us fulfill our mission of positively affecting the region’s tourism economy and quality of life.   

Visit Greater Palm Springs now offers partners the opportunity to promote their business through EngageGPS. Tourism-related businesses in Greater Palm Springs are now eligible to join and receive the following benefits at no cost:  

• Partner communications - Tourism partner newsletter, "In the Loop," FAM participation requests, service requests, and other partner communications
• Access to VGPS website to post content - Through a personalized log-in, you can create your free listing on our website, post special offers and events, add images, receive referrals and service requests from groups and meeting planners, update your website listing, and more 
• Invitations to industry events - Receive invitations to partner events, networking opportunities, educational seminars, and fundraising events
• Advertising discounts - Opportunity to take advantage of advertising discounts in Palm Springs Life's "The Guide," with a circulation of nearly 70,000 copies per month and distribution to 350 high-traffic locations throughout the valley
• ​Visit center visibility - Display your brochures and guides in the VGPS Visitor Center

Visit MyGreaterPS.com to sign up.

TEAM GPS Champions training is now available online through our partnership with College of the Desert. Visit goTEAMgps.com to become a TEAM GPS Champion online today!

TEAM GPS Champions now have access to the TEAM GPS Champions pass! An online pass that offers free and discounted admission as well as rewards for checking in at local businesses featured on the pass.  

Submit your offers for the CHAMPIONS PASS – Turn our TEAM GPS Champions into champions for your business by offering a free experience or deal on the TEAM GPS Champions Pass. Email Erica Abarca at erica@visitgreaterps.com to participate.  

REGIONAL ECONOMIC DIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT 

Visit Greater Palm Springs welcomed Sean Smith as Director of Economic Development for the organization. He is charged with driving strategy and implementation of business attraction and growth for the Greater Palm Springs area. Activities will focus on diversifying business sectors, attracting new businesses, and strategically marketing and branding the region as a premier location for business growth and development. 

EMERGING LEADERS 

The Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation provides scholarships for Emerging Leaders Certificate training through a partnership with COD’s PaCE Program. The certificate program includes courses designed for hospitality employees new to leadership positions to give them tools and skills to help them succeed and advance their careers. Employers can apply for 2024 scholarships and find the current schedule online at goTEAMgps.com. 

If you have any questions about Partnership, please contact:  
Davis Meyer, VP of Government & Industry Relations
davis@visitgreaterps.com | 760.969.1360