Greater Palm Springs celebrates excellence in tourism and hospitality at the 2025 Champions of Hospitality Awards Gala

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – More than 900 tourism and hospitality leaders gathered Thursday night at the Palm Springs Convention Center for the annual Champions of Hospitality Awards Gala, a signature celebration honoring the workforce that powers Greater Palm Springs’ number one industry.

The program this year received 285 nominations from hospitality partners across all nine cities of the destination—underscoring the depth, diversity, and enduring strength of the region’s tourism workforce.

Hosted by Visit Greater Palm Springs and supported by the Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation, the gala recognized employees, organizations, and emerging leaders who exemplify exceptional service, innovation, sustainability, and community impact.

“Tourism is the heartbeat of our region,” said Scott White, President & CEO of Visit Greater Palm Springs. “Each nominee and honoree represents the dedication, creativity, and spirit that makes our destination one of the most welcoming and inspiring places in California. We are proud to celebrate the individuals who elevate the visitor experience every single day.”

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY: SCHOLARSHIP RECOGNITION

In addition to industry awards, the evening highlighted the next generation of hospitality professionals through scholarships presented by the Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation. Students from both the Coachella Valley High School Hospitality Academy and OneFuture Coachella Valley were recognized on stage, along with the recipient of the Tony Bruggemans Memorial Scholarship.

Coachella Valley High School Hospitality Academy Scholarship Recipients

• Melanie Carranza Solorzano
• Alessandro Frias-Dominguez
• Deseray Merez-Perez
• Erick Morales-Serrano
• Sebastian Ramirez

OneFuture Coachella Valley Scholarship Recipients

• Christopher Bravo Lopez
• George Cabrera
• David Flores
• Brenda Franco Alcala
• Ashley Garcia
• Sebastian Jaimes-Miranda
• Melanie Martinez-Chavez
• Diego Rendon
• Jacquelinee Sandoval

Tony Bruggemans Memorial Scholarship Recipient

• Edith Alcala

CHAMPIONS OF HOSPITALITY AWARDS

Oasis Award (Sustainability)
Recognizes leadership in eco-friendly, sustainable practices.

• Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians

Santa Rosa Impact Award (DEIA)
Honors excellence in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

• Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas

HOSPITALITY AWARDS
Restaurant | Bar Champions

• Mary Bongard, Hunters Palm Springs
• Francisco Castellanos, Chez Pierre
• Oscar Cortes, Lulu California Bistro
• Emma Vasquez-Lopez, Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs

Attractions | Tours Champions

• Janet Baker, Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert
• Jackie Cameron, Drag & Fly Tours
• Alfredo Garcia, BMW Performance Center West

Retail Champion

• Taryn Gemmell, Azure Palm Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa Oasis – The
  Boutique

Wellness | Spa Champion

• Amy Kuschel, Sensei Porcupine Creek

Venue Champion

• Luis Rosas, Desert Champions, LLC

Vacation Rental Champions

• Ashley Bastardi, Palm Desert Vacation Properties
• Amanda Benzra-Turner, Acme House Company

Boutique or Hot Spring Hotel Champion

• Melanie Quinones, The Spring Resort & Spa

Select Service Hotel Champions

• Alfredo Bolanos, Hampton Inn & Suites Indio
• Rosa Resendiz de Cervantes, Courtyard by Marriott Palm Springs

Full-Service Hotel Champions

• Pablo Aguiar, Hilton Palm Springs
• Ken Starr Jr., The Dunes Palm Springs

Resort Hotel Champions

• Guadalupe de la Cruz, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
• Josef Escher, La Quinta Resort & Club
• Erika Escobar Flores, Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa
• Belinda Espinoza, Thompson Palm Springs
• David Giraud, The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa
• Norby Gonzalez, Avalon Hotel & Bungalows Palm Springs
• Branden Joven, Parker Palm Springs
• Yessica Puga, Doubletree by Hilton Golf Resort Palm Springs

PALM AWARD – VISITOR EXPERIENCE
Recognizing outstanding guest service and memorable visitor experiences.

• Diane Drucker, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
• Eddy Estrada, Smarter Property Management
• Santos Perez, Indio Taphouse
• Richard (Kip) Serafin, Locations 760
• Ashley Stein, Saffron Restaurant & Lounge

SAN JACINTO RISING STARS
Recognizing emerging leaders with fewer than five years in the industry or under age 40.

David Arreguin, Tac/Quila

• Hailey Chapman, The Reserve Club
• Justin Godfrey, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
• Katrina Jordyn, La Quinta Cliffhouse
• Jasmin Lora, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
• Yokli Oktavianto, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
• Kayla Raffaelli, Acrisure Arena
• Edgar Ramirez, Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas

SPIRIT OF TOURISM AWARD
The evening’s highest honor, presented to an individual or organization whose contributions
have significantly advanced tourism’s economic and cultural impact in Greater Palm Springs.

• Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians