Board Installation and Business Awards Tuesday
Writes Steven Henke on his Facebook Page, "These two women inspire me. This is an outtake from John Paschal's photo shoot for the 2017 Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce City Guide Magazine…" …with Carolyn Caldwell (left) and Nona Watson (right).
When the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce installs its new board of directors on June 13, outgoing ChamberPresident Carolyn Caldwell will turn the President’s Gavel over to Steven Henke, Director of Community Development at Desert AIDS Project. Henke will share how the chamber plans to focus on collaboration, community and commerce during his year of service while highlighting his belief in the importance of local chambers of commerce. “We may have the entire globe at our digital fingertips, but the strongest businesses are still those built on personal connections. The best businesses originate from that intersection of commerce and community. Everything is local.”
The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce is in the process of creating a co-working space that will be the first of its kind in the entire Coachella Valley. He will share that “We’re transforming our Chamber office into a collaborative space that will invite idea-based entrepreneurs—of all ages and disciplines, from Palm Springs and beyond—into a mutually rewarding relationship with our Chamber and its membership…while offering that membership the perfect place to engage in conversation and collaboration”. Henke believes that “Palm Springs works best when Palm Springs works together”.
New partnerships with other premier valley chambers of commerce to create cooperative opportunities for all of our members will also be announced. It’s in this spirit that Rancho Mirage Chamber executive director Samantha Twedell and Palm Desert Chamber president and CEO Laurie Baldwin are expected to attend the Business Awards luncheon celebrating Palm Springs business leaders. “We recognize that business success in one city creates business opportunity in another.”
Speaking about the Business Awards recently, Nona Watson, CEO of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce said “It’s definitely an “A” list of fabulous honorees this year,” “We are thrilled to celebrate the innovative people and businesses that have contributed to the Palm Springs renaissance and make our magical city like no place else.”
The 11:30 a.m. event is at the Renaissance Palm Springs, 888 Tahquitz Canyon Way, will honor a galaxy of city stars that include:
Steve Hermann, L’Horizon Resort, “Business Person of the Year” – Steve Hermann is a celebrated designer of high-end homes all over the world. As one of the most prolific designers within California, he is known as the design guru for the Hollywood elite, captains of industry, and foreign royalty.
West Elm, “Large Business of the Year” – West Elm was born in Brooklyn in 2002. They design over 90% of their products in-house and their design team has steadily increased their selection of organic, handcrafted, sustainably sourced and Fair Trade Certified products. With over 85+ stores in U.S. cities and international locations, West Elm has been a great addition to the City of Palm Springs.
Palm Springs Florist, “Medium Size Business of the Year” – Palm Springs Florist is celebrating their 70th year in the desert! They have been serving our community with stunning flower designs since 1947.
Destination PSP, “Small Businesses of the Year” – Destination PSP produces unique, originally-designed merchandise including souvenirs, customized apparel, poolside wares, housewares and more. Stylish, modern designs reflect the mid-century heritage of the Palm Springs area and are sought-after collectibles for visitors and residents alike.
Christopher Kennedy, “PS I Love You Award” – Christopher Kennedy has quickly and not-so-quietly emerged as one of the nation’s freshest voices in home furnishings and interior design. Working from Palm Springs, his name is quickly becoming synonymous with Jet Set modern luxury and vibrant California glamour. Christopher’s work and products have captured the attention of such leading publications as Architectural Digest, Dwell Magazine, Elle Décor, Luxe Magazine, and The Los Angeles Times.
Willie Rhine & John Paschal, Eight4Nine, “Entrepreneur of the Year” – Located in the fashionable Uptown Design District of Palm Springs, EIGHT4NINE Restaurant and Lounge offers a welcoming and friendly atmosphere whether it’s for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Weekend Brunch, or Happy Hour. Their singular goal is to provide you the best dining experience possible, whether looking for an intimate dinner for two or if you want to celebrate life’s special moments with hundreds of friends
The Parker Hotel, “Icon Award” – The ultimate desert escape. The Parker Palm Springs is a place to relax, retreat and indulge. Built as an estate and designed by Jonathan Adler, the Parker Palm Springs boasts 144 rooms including 12 villas and a 2-bedroom house on 13 lush acres. There are 3 restaurants – Norma’s (of NY fame), Mister Parker’s a sexy, dark and seductive French bistro and the Lemonade Stand, perfect for an afternoon bite or cocktail.
Richard Crisman and Jeff Brock, Sparrows Lodge & Holiday House “Investment Award” – The Sparrows was acquired by Jeff Brock and Richard Crisman, transitioning it from the Sparrows Hotel to the Sparrows Lodge. The Sparrows Lodge on East Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs is perhaps the only one like it in the Coachella Valley.
Steve Huffman, Latitude 33, “Business Transformation Award” – Steve Huffman has spent the last 28 years specializing in apartments. His extensive multifamily experience includes brokerage, ownership, management, and financing. Steve has rehabilitated over a dozen apartment buildings over the past years. He has assisted clients on the successful closings of over 300 apartment escrows on properties ranging from 5 to 408 units throughout the western United States. The latest project was the revitalized Latitude 33 Apartments in Downtown Palm Springs which underwent a down-to-the-studs reconstruction. This 121 unit property was completely vacated and remodelled inside and out.
Debby Alexander, Peabody’s Cafe “Hometown Appreciation Award “- Debby Alexander’s Peabody's Cafe opened in 1992 as a coffee house. Over the years they became a full restaurant and bar serving simple American food with a Southern California twist. Most everything is made fresh to order. They serve breakfast, brunch, and lunch daily. You can also join them on Friday and Saturday nights when they stay open later for Karaoke.
Eric and Lindsay Bennett, Desert Flippers “Superstar Award” – Wisconsin transplants Eric and Lindsey Bennett are transforming sunny Palm Springs, California one dilapidated house at a time. Renovating 20 properties a year while raising three small children is no small feat, and this couple takes it in stride. But when you go behind the walls of houses that live in triple-digit heat, you never know what you might find, scorpions, rattlesnakes, black widows and even squatters. In each episode of Desert Flippers, Eric and Lindsey search out a diamond in the rough, but they might find something that's just plain rough.
Susan Davis, Desert X “Community Vision Award” – From February 25 through April 30, 2017, the Coachella Valley and its desert landscape became the canvas for a curated exhibition of site-specific work by established and emerging artists, whose projects amplified and articulated global and local issues that ranged from climate change to starry skies, from tribal culture and immigration to tourism, gaming, and golf. The art works, in various indoor and outdoor locations, were available free and offered visitors a way to see the valley and reflect on serious and playful issues through the lens of the participating artists' creativity and work.
Erik Hale, Locale Magazine “Buzz Award” – Erik Hale is the visionary and publisher behind LOCALE Magazine. He launched the magazine in 2010, wanting to give the community of OC a premier lifestyle magazine that knew all the native knowledge behind Orange County.
In addition, Thomas Burnett and Eric Nicoll will be honored as Chamber Ambassadors of the Year.
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Dine at Bongo Johnny's Today (The Second Monday of Every Month) in Support of the Transgender Community
Pulse Vigil & Equality March Bring Community Together
REMEMBERING PULSE One Year after the Pulse Nightclub tragedy in Orlando, The LGBT Community Center of the Desert, along with the City of Palm Springs, held a community-wide vigil Saturday, covered in its entirety in the above episode of PromoHomo.TV.
June Pride Mixer on Arenas Road!
DBA and Palm Springs Chamber invite you to Celebrate our Pride with our many businesses on Arenas Road. Happy Hour Specials and Entertainment! Win prizes when checking in at participating businesses with a mobile scavenger hunt. #ILoveGayPalm Springs.
Participating Businesses:
Hunters Night Club / Bear Wear / Bongo Johnny's Bar and Grill / Eddies' Frozen Yogurt / SpurLine, The Video Bar / Chill Bar Palm Springs and the Scorpion Room / Gay Mart USA / Score The Game Bar / Mischief Cards & Gifts / Blackbook.
So Many Reasons to Proclaim: #ILoveGayPalmSprings
