Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation

About Us: Who We Are, What We Value, What We Do

The Greater Palm Springs Tourism Foundation (GPSTF), the charitable arm of Visit Greater Palm Springs, exists to ensure our region’s tourism success benefits everyone. With a $9.1B annual impact and one in four local jobs tied to hospitality and tourism, our industry is the region’s top economic driver—and we take that responsibility seriously.

 We value the people behind the experience. We honor the skills, passion, and contributions of hospitality workers at every level, and we invest in their professional growth and well-being while cultivating the next generation of leaders.

 What we do:

• Offer college scholarships for local students pursuing hospitality and related fields
• Provide leadership training to our workforce that opens doors to career pathways
• Engage youth through experiential programming, introducing them to the diversity of pathways in hospitality and tourism

 Our programs are powered by generous donors, employers, and education partners across the Coachella Valley.

Our Mission

To foster a thriving hospitality and tourism industry by developing a highly skilled and engaged workforce. We champion our people, inspire young talent, and invest in professional development to grow passionate, innovative leaders who will shape the future of the Coachella Valley and beyond.

 We achieve this by:

• Inspiring young people to explore the breadth and richness of hospitality careers
• Creating opportunities for growth and advancement within the industry
• Growing hospitality leaders locally and advancing economic mobility

Workforce Partners

We strengthen the pipeline from classroom to career alongside our industry champions and education partners, including:

• OneFuture Coachella Valley
• Local K–12 school districts
• College of the Desert (including COD PaCE)
• California State University, San Bernardino – Palm Desert Campus

Together, we connect students and jobseekers with real-world training, mentorship, and career opportunities—building a resilient, inclusive workforce for Greater Palm Springs.