‘Drive to Change Lives’ encourages Greater Palm Springs tourism community to give back
Rancho Mirage, California (April 26, 2021): Prior to the pandemic, tourism supported over 53,000 jobs in Greater Palm Springs and contributed $7.5 billion to the local economy. While the past year has presented extraordinary challenges, Greater Palm Springs and the tourism industry are turning the page to a new chapter with the start of National Travel and Tourism Week, May 2-8, an annual tradition that spotlights the collective strength of the U.S. travel industry. May is also Visit California’s California Tourism Month, which celebrates tourism and hospitality across the Golden State.
To showcase how the power of travel will drive recovery, the Greater Palm Springs CVB will host a virtual town hall meeting, led by President & CEO Scott White, on May 4 at 10 a.m. to provide updates on consumer sentiment, highlights of state and regional destination marketing plans, and updates on the CVB’s newest programs. Other town hall speakers include Lynn Carpenter, Vice President of Marketing of Visit California, Erin Francis Cummings, President & CEO of Destination Analysts and Nick Forro, President of AHL Palm Springs and SVP of the Seattle Kraken. Guests can RSVP to attend the virtual town hall meeting here.
Additionally, during the weeklong initiative, Greater Palm Springs CVB will connect local tourism partners with a series of volunteer opportunities that include:
- FIND Food Bank, a nonprofit, community-based organization in Greater Palm Springs dedicated to mobilizing resources through education and awareness to relieve hunger, the causes of hunger, and the problems associated with hunger. Shift times include: May 5 (8:30–11:30 a.m.), May 6 (2:45–6:30 p.m.) and May 7 (1–4 p.m.).
- LifeStream Blood Donation, a nonprofit, independent blood bank that is the exclusive provider of blood products and services to all hospitals in Greater Palm Springs. Shift times include: May 5 (8 a.m.–1 p.m.).
- Street Life Project, an organization that provides food, clothing and toiletries to the homeless community. Shift times include: May 6 at 6 p.m.
- A Drive to Change Lives is the culminating event taking place at the Atrium in Rancho Mirage sponsored by SunLine to benefit Well in the Desert. SunLine provides transit services in Greater Palm Springs for approximately 4.2 million riders and Well in the Desert is a nonprofit organization that provides clothing, showers, hot meals and a cooling center to those in need. Shift times include: May 7 – 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For a full schedule and to sign up for volunteer opportunities visit: visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/national-travel-and-tourism-week
About Greater Palm Springs, California
Greater Palm Springs is Southern California’s premier resort, special event and golf destination. Discover a place of many experiences and surprises in nine distinctive cities: Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella. As a respite for mind, body and spirit, Greater Palm Springs is ready to provide you with an unparalleled sense of escape, adventure, recreation, relaxation and your own unique way to play–anytime of the year. For more information on Greater Palm Springs, visit www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com.
