CVA exceeds 2006 goals for sales, tourism and membership

The Palm Springs Desert Resorts Convention and Visitors Authority (CVA) announced today that it exceeded its yearend goals for Convention Sales, Tourism Sales & Marketing, and Membership.

The CVA Sales Staff confirmed meeting and convention bookings resulting in 300,363 room nights for the

"The CVA is back," said Rob Bernheimer, Mayor of Indian Wells, and Chair of the CVA's Joint Powers Authority Executive Committee (JPA). "The CVA is once again feeding the tourism machine for the Coachella Valley."

Aftab Dada, Chair of the CVA's Hospitality Industry & Business Council, added, "The staff did a great job in the final quarter of the year to exceed their 2006 goals."

In Tourism Sales & Marketing, goals were exceeded in all areas, including 135 leads for New & Expanded Tours, or 113% of its 2006 goal of 120; 50 New Programs, or 139% of its 2006 goal of 36; and 7 client familiarization tours, or 117% of its 2006 goal of 6. Tourism Sales & Marketing staff also achieved $143,220 in Sales Promotions/Advertising Industry Buy-in Co-op, or 112% of its 2006 goal of $127,870.

In Membership, Staff achieved $360,726 in total Membership income, or 101% of its 2006 goal of $357,017.

"This is outstanding performance, considering the issues faced by the CVA in the past year," said La Quinta Councilwoman Terry Henderson, who served as 2006 Chair of the JPA. "For this organization to rally and meet their goals 'is truly phenomenal."

"We thank all of our hospitality industry partners within the Coachella Valley for their continued support and participation," said CVA President & CEO Jeff Beckelman. "These positive results reflect their commitment to make the CVA better for all of our cities."

The CVA will unveil its 2006 Annual Report with all yearend numbers at the 2007 CVA Annual Luncheon, to be held at Desert Springs, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa, on February 23, 2007.

The Palm Springs Desert Resorts Convention and Visitors Authority is a Joint Powers Authority that serves as a coordinating agency for sales, marketing and promotional efforts aimed at potential tourism, corporate, incentive and convention group markets. The CVA is dedicated to a program of work to benefit and promote the hospitality industry in the member cities in Riverside County, which include Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage.