IGLTA Selects Palm Springs as Its 2025 Global Convention Destination
We’re just a few months away from the IGLTA’s Global Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the organization will celebrate its 40th anniversary. And they announced the host destination for its 2025 Global Convention this week! The winner is… Palm Springs, California!
Known for its thriving LGBTQ+ community and welcoming atmosphere, Palm Springs is set to provide an unforgettable experience for attendees from around the world. IGLTA is proud to partner with Visit Greater Palm Springs to make this historic event possible.
The convention will bring together travel professionals, industry leaders, and LGBTQ+ thought leaders from around the globe. Attendees can expect an engaging program of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and keynote presentations from influential voices in the LGBTQ+ travel industry.
“Palm Springs exemplifies a destination where individuals can embrace their true selves. Its vibrant and inclusive atmosphere, combined with its stunning landscapes and world-class amenities, make it the perfect backdrop for IGLTA’s Global Convention,” said IGLTA Board Chair Felipe Cardenas. “We look forward to coming together in this remarkable destination in 2025.”
“We are humbled and honored that IGLTA has chosen Palm Springs as the host city for their 2025 Global Convention. This decision reflects the inclusive and welcoming spirit of our community, which has long been a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community,” said Scott White, President and CEO of Visit Greater Palm Springs. “We take immense pride in being a destination that celebrates diversity, embraces love, and fosters a sense of belonging for all. By creating an environment that values and respects every individual, we not only enrich our city but create a legacy of unity and equality that will inspire generations to come. We eagerly look forward to showcasing the beauty and warmth of Palm Springs as we come together to create unforgettable memories and forge lasting connections during this extraordinary event.”
Palm Springs has been a mecca for the LGBTQ+ community for decades, showcasing its diversity in all the colors of the rainbow. Palm Springs has been called The Capital of Inclusion, where the thriving LGBTQ+ community has helped shape the direction of the city for many years. In 2017, Palm Springs elected the nation’s first all-LGBTQ+ city council and in 2021, named the first openly transgender mayor in the state and only the third nationwide. Today the 5-member Palm Springs City Council consists of four council members who identify as LGBTQ+, with the fifth member an advocate and strong ally of the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, The HRC has recognized Palm Springs with a perfect Municipal Equality Index, the nation’s premier benchmarking tool demonstrating how Palm Springs supports the LGBTQ+ people who live and work there.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the IGLTA 2025 Global Convention to the city of Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Convention Center,” said Rob Hampton, General Manager of the Palm Springs Convention Center and Bureau of Tourism. “This event represents not only a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and acceptance but also an opportunity for us to showcase Palm Springs as a welcoming destination for the LGBTQ+ community. We look forward to hosting this remarkable gathering and creating unforgettable experiences for all attendees in our destination that is truly like no place else.”
Visitors to this magical destination will immediately feel welcomed as they step off the plane at the Palm Springs International Airport. IGLTA attendees can truly be their authentic selves in Palm Springs, whether relaxing poolside in the sun, enjoying world-class restaurants and shopping, or meeting up with friends to enjoy the city’s nightlife in the Arenas district. Palm Springs has created a vibrant and diverse community that is inclusive and welcoming to all.
Palm Springs has been the home of some of the most iconic LGBTQ+ events. The first Palm Springs Pride was held in 1986 and has now grown into one of the preeminent Pride celebrations in the United States. In 1991 Mariah Hanson created the world-famous Dinah Shore Weekend to create an exciting, community-building, life-affirming, unimaginably stellar experience for her customers. More than 30 years later, The Dinah continues to attract attendees from all over the world. The White Party Palm Springs is a weekend-long celebration of LGBTQ+ culture, music, and art, and is one of the largest gatherings of its kind in the world. The event began in 1989 as a small gathering of friends but has since grown to attract people from all over the globe.
Plan ahead and check out our Palm Springs Travel Guide thanks to the Visit Greater Palm Springs. Get great ideas on where to eat, stay, and play!
