Smart Meetings

The earthy-yet-ultramodern Palm Springs Convention Center (palmspringscc.com) has 260,000-plus sq. ft., including a 20,000-square-foot ballroom. It's walking distance from 2,700 guest rooms. In 2005, it nearly doubled in size after a $33-million expansion.

The Fantasy Springs Special Events Center (fantasyspringsresort.com), a 100,000-square-foot casino and 250-room resort, hosts 4,500-person events, although smaller groups are welcome.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (pstramway.com) is the world's largest rotating tramcar; it whisks riders up 8,500 feet above Chino Canyon and then alights onto Mt. San Jacinto, where visitors can take a guided 5.5-mile hike to the peak or attend an event in the 136-person Francis Crocker Room.

Another only-here attraction is The Living Desert (livingdesert.org). More than a zoo, it's a fascinating conservation center and wilderness park where visitors learn about the little-known desert ecosystem. Attendees are likely to see animals like cheetah, zebra and leopard, plus dozens of indigenous birds. If your goal is to relax your attendees, tap into the area's world-class spas; guests can soak in natural hot springs or rejuvenate with other therapeutic treatments offered throughout the area.

A legendary resort hideaway for 80 years, La Quinta Resort & Club is a self-contained destination with 800 guest casitas and suites (some with private pools), all equipped with high speed Internet access.

There is also approximately 66,000 square feet of meeting space with wireless Internet service. Further, in between meetings, attendees can play five championship golf courses, 23 tennis courts (with three surface choices), go shopping, unwind in the fitness center, dine at eight restaurants, and relieve stress at the Spa La Quinta.

Palm Springs area Indio's dry warm climate has made it the perfect spot for growing dates since the trees were first imported from the middleeast in the 1800s. The area is famed for its date shakes, blending vanilla ice cream, milk, crystallized date sugar, and occasionally, actual chunks of fresh dates. Indio is also for its outstanding equestrian facilities. The adjoining Eldorado and Empire polo clubs have turned Indio into the winter capital of polo in the United States outside of Florida. The sport attracts players from all over the world.
 

Getting There

Palm Springs International Airport (palmspringsairport.com) is served by 11 airlines, including American, Continental, Delta and United, and provides direct jet service from 16 U. S. cities.

Not To Be Missed

Downtown Palm Springs Spa experiences and hot springs
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The Living Desert
The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies

What's New?

Palm Springs’ Tempting Offer | Groups booking with select Palm Springs-area convention hotels by the end of this year can now re...