Bringing together a diverse group of business, tourism and hospitality leaders from throughout Palm Springs, today Mayor Geoff Kors announced the formation of the newly created Palm Springs Business Transition and Re-Entry Task Force to help plan for a safe and successful recovery once the State eases precautions related to the COVID- 19 pandemic.
The Task Force includes representatives of tourism and business organizations and includes the following community leaders:
Celeste Brackley, Palm Springs Hospitality Association, Patricia Breslin, Greater Palm Springs Bar Association, Aftab Dada, Chairman of P.S. Resorts, Ron de Harte, Community Leadership Council, Jim Franklin, Palm Springs Regional Association of Realtors, Michael Green, Palm Springs Small Hotel Tourism Business Improvement District, Jeff Grubbe, Tribal Chairman, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Rob Hampton, General Manager, Palm Springs Convention Center and Bureau of Tourism, Bruce Hobin, Vacation Rental Owners Network, Palm Springs Mayor pro tem Christy Holstege, Dean Levine, Arenas District Merchants Association, Harold Matzner, Chairman Palm Springs International Film Festival, Joy Meredith, Main Street Palm Springs, David Powell, Desert Business Association, David H. Ready, Palm Springs City Manager, Patrick Service, General Manager of Las Casuelas Terraza, representing Palm Springs Restaurant Association, Jay Virata, Palm Springs Director of Community & Economic Development, Joe Wallace, CEO of the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, Nona Watson, CEO of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce and Scott White, CEO of the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“The goal of this Task Force is to prepare for the reopening of our economy so the Palm Springs community can successfully and safely get our businesses open and our local economy thriving once again” said Mayor Kors, who added that Governor Newsom has indicated the State’s re-entry plan will happen in phases.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on our residents and our local economy, but Mayor Kors and I are confident we have assembled a fantastic group of creative thinkers and leaders who will help Palm Springs craft a smart strategic plan that that will lead to economic recovery,” said Mayor pro tem Christy Holstege, who serves with Kors as Council liaisons for Business Retention and Economic Development.
“The City of Palm Springs and our business, tourism and hospitality community will get through this because we understand the importance of working together,” said Kors.