Greater Palm Springs celebrates excellence in tourism and hospitality at the 2025 Champions of Hospitality Awards Gala
Jesus Reyes
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 AWARDSRestaurant | 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 – TheBoutique
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 EXPERIENCERecognizing 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 STARSRecognizing 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 AWARDThe evening’s highest honor, presented to an individual or organization whose contributionshave significantly advanced tourism’s economic and cultural impact in Greater Palm Springs.
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians