10 Surprising Reasons to Meet in Greater Palm Springs

There are plenty of reasons to meet in Greater Palm Springs. These 10 just might surprise you.

1. Easy Air Access. SmarterTravel.com named Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) one of its 10 Most Stress-Free Airports in America, and for good reason. Far from frenzied, PSP offers 21 nonstop routes from 10 airlines, connecting from more than 500 global destinations. Additional seasonal flights make it even easier to enjoy a sunny Southern California winter. Whether you’re flying in to PSP or catching Interstate 10 from Southern California and neighboring states, access is easy, with lots of options. Looking for alternative airlines? Consider nearby airports, including Ontario International (1.25-hour drive), John Wayne-Orange County (1.5-hour drive), Los Angeles International (two-hour drive), and San Diego International (2.25-hour drive).
2. Value. Save big on your next event with special group offers designed with meeting planners in mind. With discounts on your master bill, complimentary upgrades, and savings on unique amenities, you can increase ROI for your organization while also creating a great experience for your attendees.
3. siteFlight. Planners, there’s nothing quite like experiencing this oasis firsthand. Luckily, Greater Palm Springs makes it easy for qualified planners to do just that. Simply let the team know where and when, and they’ll host your “siteFlight.”
4. Chill Deals. Planning a summer meeting? No sweat! This oasis offers plenty of cool, budget-friendly activities to fill your itinerary. Extend your stay before or after your meeting and explore all of the Chill Deals on tours, attractions, restaurants, and hotels that Greater Palm Springs has to offer.
5. Unique Outdoor Meetings. Take your next event outdoors in Greater Palm Springs. Warm weather year-round makes it the perfect setting for events and activities under the sun. Think morning yoga sessions with the grass between your toes, receptions under a starry desert sky by the mountains of the San Andreas Fault, and everything in between.
6. Game-Changing Action. Score high marks with unique activities such as Empire Polo Club’s golf cart polo. Outfitted with helmets and mallets, attendees take to the turf in carts driven by pro players. Or “rough it” with hybrid FootGolf at The Lights at Indio Golf Course or Desert Willow. Action kicks in as players target 21-inch-diameter cups with a regulation soccer ball as they make their way across the golf course.
7. Off-the-Grid Activities. Geared toward adrenaline addicts, the revved-up BMW Performance Driving School West puts the pedal to the metal at the exclusive Thermal Club. This fast track has a no-holds-barred attitude as instructors challenge drivers to race past their comfort zones. Groups can also go galactic with an out-of-this-world stargazing trek in Joshua Tree National Park or be edgy by straddling the San Andreas Fault on a footbridge.
8. Year-Round Destination. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Greater Palm Springs is the perfect year-round destination. Winter highs reach the 70s, while spring and fall temperatures hit the 80s. Simply schedule indoor day sessions, break for a pool party with umbrella drinks, and then reconvene for alfresco dining affairs blanketed by stars. Always on the mark, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway delivers a cactus-to-clouds climb to the 8,516-foot Mountain Station, where temperatures are regularly 30 to 40 degrees cooler.
9. Vibrant Oasis. Greater Palm Springs is fueling a vibrant resurgence by coalescing retro-kitsch Rat Pack panache and avant-garde design. Tap into more than $2 billion of fresh and revitalized hospitality amenities, including newer options such as Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, Hotel Paseo, and Sands Hotel & Spa. The activities roster is equally robust, offering options such as Segway-powered scavenger hunts, chef-infused culinary classes utilizing the region’s local agriculture, and creative encounters.
10. Arts, Culture, and Signature Events. There’s plenty to do and see year-round for attendees who would like to arrive a little early or stay longer to mix a bit of business with pleasure. Consider the area's world-class museums and midcentury-modern architecture and signature events such as the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and Desert X, an internationally acclaimed, immersive art biennial that features installations using the destination’s dramatic landscapes as the canvas.