Palm Springs, CA

Located within a short drive from the major Southern California cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Palm Springs offers the best of cosmopolitan convenience in a serene, relaxing atmosphere. Realizing its standing as a world-class meeting destination, the area has invested more than $180 million in expanding its meeting facilities, including the expansion of the desert resorts Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells and La Quinta. This dedication to inventory renewal makes Palm Springs event venues ideal locations for meetings and conventions.

Also experiencing a recent revitalization, the Palm Springs Convention Center underwent a $32 million renovation and expansion in 2005. The center features 261,000 square feet of convention and meeting space, including up to 120,000 square feet of exhibit space, 18 total breakout rooms and a 20,000-square-foot ballroom. The center adjoins to the 410-room Renaissance Palm Springs and is located within walking distance of 2,000 of Palm Springs' 6,500 guest rooms. Downtown Palm Springs is located just minutes walking distance from the Palm Springs Convention Center.

Many of Palm Springs' cultural attractions and gourmet restaurants double as exciting, unique meeting locations. Palm Springs' mid-century modernist architecture is celebrated at such sites as the 1960-built Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway house. Designed in four perfect circles on three separate levels, the house has starred in several movies and even served as the honeymoon location and temporary residence of Elvis and Priscilla Presley (and, on a separate occasion, the Beatles). The property can accommodate up to 180 people for private events and meetings – just think of how many people can congregate along the home's 65-foot-long circular couch, situated in the living room. For another residential experience, groups can gather at Cabot's Pueblo Museum. Located in an 1883 handmade pueblo constructed of reclaimed and found objects, the museum takes visitors through a tour of the home's 100-year history.

Boasting one of the nation's largest collections of World War II aircraft, the 50,000-square-foot Palm Springs Air Museum – located at the Palm Springs International Airport – offers private events for up to 3,000 people.

Many of Palm Springs' world-class restaurants also serve as private event spaces. The famous Melvyn's, located at the Ingleside Inn retreat, serves American fare in a luxurious, glamorous atmosphere throughout four intimate dining rooms. Serving sumptuous French fare paired with award-winning wine, Cuistot's rustic French farmhouse atmosphere, particularly its private wine room, is perfect for private dining. The Palm Springs staple Wally's Desert Turtle serves continental cuisine amid Peruvian artifacts and hand-painted murals, featuring two private dining rooms and two semi-private dining rooms.