Visit Greater Palm Springs in California has announced the launch of the Coachella Valley Subregional Economic Development Strategy.
The strategy was commissioned and led by the County of Riverside Office of Economic Development and includes a tailored subregional strategy for the Coachella Valley. Visit Greater Palm Springs (VGPS) was a key stakeholder in the development of the strategy and will play an active role in implementation in partnership with the County and regional partners.
The strategy identifies six high-potential sectors for targeted development: clean energy and climate technology, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, creative media, agtech, and hospitality and tourism. The goal is to build a more resilient economy with no “off-season” by leveraging the Valley’s competitive advantages, including available land, proximity to major markets, renewable energy resources, a growing talent pipeline, and a strong commitment to sustainability under a new regional economic brand platform, Thrive and Shine.
“Greater Palm Springs has long been known as a place people choose for lifestyle, creativity and opportunity,” said Scott White, President & CEO of Visit Greater Palm Springs. “This strategy ensures we are equally competitive as a place to invest and grow a business. By aligning our cities, workforce partners and infrastructure priorities, we are creating a coordinated pathway that gives companies clarity and confidence.”
Destination Dayton in Ohio has selected five event planners as its 2026 Community Ambassador Award Winners.
The planners will be recognized and presented with official leather flight jackets at the annual Destination Dayton Community Ambassador Celebration & Awards Breakfast on May 15 at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.
The five Community Ambassadors are Elizabeth (Bette) Kenward, American Rosie the Riveter Association National Convention; Warren Mansfield, Fairlane Club of America National Meet; U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, 2025 NATO Parliamentary Assembly – Spring Session; Rod Waters, Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers 2025 Conference; and Bart Woodley, WGI Sport of the Arts World Championships.
“The Community Ambassador Awards Breakfast celebrates the impact and recognizes the powerful role that tourism, meetings, and conventions play in shaping our local economy and strengthening our community,” said Destination Dayton President & CEO John Oney. “We are proud to recognize our 2026 Community Ambassador Award winners—five outstanding meeting planners whose events generated nearly $36.7 million in direct spending in our community last year. That level of impact is not only measurable, it’s transformational for our local economy and a testament to the power of partnership.”