Greater Palm Springs CVB Shakes Things Up In Vancouver

The Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors’ Bureau hosted a lively and colorful networking reception and training seminar for travel agents at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver last night.

Together with airline partner WestJet and hotel partners the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells, Ace Hotel & Swim Club, La Quinta Resort & Club, Waldorf Astoria Hotels, Viceroy Resorts, The Saguaro and Desert Hills Premium Outlets, the Palm Springs CVB shook things up with interactive ‘speed dating’ round table sessions that paired travel agents with supplier partners for interactive familiarization on each property and product.

Tracey Jardin, travel industry sales manager, greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, said there are 350 reasons to visit the region: Palm Springs sees less than 15 days of rain throughout the 365 day calendar year.

Among other reasons, said Jardin, is Palm Springs is known as the golf capital of the West, with a total of 115 golf courses spread throughout the greater region’s nine cities.

The Greater Palm Springs area  actually includes Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs and the Coachella Valley.

The region is known for its outdoor activities, sprawling luxury resorts with top spa amenities, and also for its multiple festivals.

These high-profile events, many drawing celebrities from nearby Hollywood, include the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Humana Golf Challenge, El Paseo Fashion Week, the Stagecoach County Music Festival and the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. Luxury outlet shopping is also a big draw to the area, with discounted designer merchandise selling tax-free to international tourists. The Desert Hills Premium Outlet recently undertook a $100 million renovation to facilitate growing business.

Jardin also said the Greater Palm Springs area is an ideal add-on destination for clients wanting to explore the region, with connections available from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas.

Emily Spadafora, agency sales representative, WestJet, was on hand to bring agents up to date on the latest booking incentives available through WestJet Vacations. Spadafora also introduced the new flight schedule for winter 2014- 15, with direct daily flights from YVR from Oct. 26, 2014- Apr, 25,  2015, with twice daily service on Thursdays running Nov. 3-Jan 18.

Calgary will see  twice daily service from Oct. 26 2014- Apr. 25, 2015 with a third daily flight added for Fridays and Saturdays.

Following the presentations and supplier ‘speed dating', groups formed to concoct the perfect ‘desert oasis’ shaken cocktail recipe, the winners receiving prize packages from supplier partners.

For more information, go visitgreaterpalmsprings.com.