Palm Springs Approves Long-Term Agreement With Oak View Group

The following is a July 22, 2025, news release from the city of Palm Springs:

PALM SPRINGS, CA — The Palm Springs City Council has approved a long-term agreement with Oak View Group (OVG) to manage operations at the Palm Springs Convention Center and Bureau of Tourism, ushering in a new era for one of the city’s most important economic engines.

Following a competitive and transparent bidding process, OVG was selected based on its lower cost proposal, higher capital contribution, and ambitious plan to increase convention occupancy and visitor spending. The new partnership aligns with the City’s proposed $125 million renovation plan for the Convention Center and represents a major step forward in positioning Palm Springs as a top-tier destination for business, tourism, large-scale events, and conferences.

In addition to operations, OVG will lead capital improvements, manage bookings and promotions, and serve as the Convention Center’s manager for several contracts, including food and beverage services. The agreement also includes significant local protections and priorities, including a robust commitment to labor.

“Tonight’s action is a generational investment in Palm Springs’ economic future,” said Mayor Ron deHarte. “With this partnership and our proposed $125 million renovation, we’re modernizing our Convention Center, boosting tourism, and bringing millions in new spending to our hotels, restaurants, and businesses. This is a game changer not just for Palm Springs, but for the entire Coachella Valley.”

The agreement will bring OVG’s world-class management expertise to the Convention Center and Bureau of Tourism, adding to its growing footprint in Palm Springs. OVG currently manages Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert and will manage the City’s historic Plaza Theatre when it reopens to the public in December 2025 following a multi-million-dollar restoration.

“We’re honored to have been selected by the City of Palm Springs to manage the operations of the Palm Springs Convention Center and Bureau of Tourism,” said Greg O’Dell, President of Venue Management, Oak View Group. “This is a world-class destination with a proud legacy of welcoming visitors from around the globe. Our team is committed to building on that tradition by enhancing the guest experience, driving economic impact, and ensuring that the Palm Springs Convention Center is a premier venue for meetings, conventions, and community events.”

The City expects to finalize the contract within days of Council approval, with transition services beginning immediately thereafter. Renovation and planning efforts will continue into 2026, marking the start of a new chapter for the Convention Center and the city’s tourism and business travel economy.