We’re here at the Parker Palm Springs—truly the hippest hotel in the desert—and I’m chatting with one of the planners about the wonderful outdoor space the Parker has: winding lawns interspersed with gardens, random hammocks and even a croquet setup. In the last hour, several Hollywood stars have strolled by, but no one seems to really care.

Earlier we toured the brand-new Holiday Inn Palm Springs-City Center. With flat-screen TVs in the rooms, stylish décor and a beautiful inner courtyard, it is easily the most impressive Holiday Inn I have ever seen. But, as so many hotels and resorts here are constantly upgrading to the latest and greatest, it is not a big surprise.

Throughout Palm Springs, there is an ironic mood that pervades the resorts and the public areas—a constant level of energy and excitement mixed with a sense of relaxation. It is a bit like L.A., but much more peaceful.

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There’s nothing like pulling up in a limo to the deafening roar of hundreds of screaming fans, only for it to quickly die down when you step out of the car and they realize you aren’t John Travolta. Still, it was a magical experience to walk down the red carpet at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala—blinded by the camera flashes and flood lights—and still maintain composure. Inside, the Convention Center looks great, with multiple bar setups, ice sculptures and elegant yet simple table setups. Within the first half hour I have been introduced to the mayor and the entire city council, all extremely nice people. Everyone says the city government really does out of its way to help draw meetings and events to Palm Springs, and it appears to be working. One of the planners, Lori Wolking, with the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, brings the largest group to Palm Springs the city ever hosts, with more than 10,000 attendees (see Palm Springs, in the February issue of Smart Meetings).