Greater Palm Springs Pride to Celebrate 30th Anniversary

Greater Palm Springs Pride Officials announced the official dates for the Annual Palm Springs Pride 2016 along with highlighting the human rights and economic impact the festival has on Palm Springs and the surrounding Coachella Valley.

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Pride in the Coachella Valley, the Pride Committee released impressive economic numbers demonstrating how Palm Springs Pride supports a multitude of businesses and many necessary programs throughout the Coachella Valley. In 2015 attendance at official Pride Week events surpassed 130,000 and the economic impact to the Palm Springs area is estimated at $22 Million dollars in revenue. With 40% of those traveling staying in hotels, vacation rentals or timeshares and spending an average of $310.82 per day in Palm Springs on rooms, shopping and dining. Including visitors from across the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, Korea and Australia, proving the Coachella Valley's International draw continues to grow.

The primary focus of the Pride Committee is promoting education and inclusiveness and the celebration of diversity throughout the Coachella Valley. A secondary benefit of the Pride organization's work is the significant economic impact Pride Week has on the region. During the year the Pride Committee and volunteers produce a variety of events such as; the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, The Pride Honors Awards, the Pet Pride Parade, mentorships with other Pride organizations, and collaboration with nonprofits throughout the Coachella Valley. Palm Springs Pride is committed to supporting LGBT youth in the Coachella Valley. In 2015 the Pride Committee was able to raise and donate $20, 416 in Grants from the Pride Youth Fund to support grassroots youth engagement activities throughout the Coachella valley schools through mentorship, community engagement, team building and anti-bullying efforts and to create safe and affirming opportunities for LGBT youth.

Fundraising is done throughout the year and culminating during Palm Springs Pride Week. The multi day celebration of diversity, inclusivity, art, fashion and culture will run from Monday, October 31 - Sunday, November 6 and includes 25 official events including the GQ Goes West fashion show, Broadway Drag pageant, L-Fund Women's dance, pool parties, the Arenas Rd Block party, two-day festival, parade, Pet Pride Parade and the George Zander Candlelight Vigil and March in memory of all the victims of hate crimes.

At A Glance

DATES: Monday, October 31 - Sunday, November 6

WHERE: Downtown Palm Springs and various locations throughout the Greater Palm Springs area

COST: Pride Festival and Parade are free to attend.

MORE: Pride Week's friendly, fun November festival is an exciting multi-day celebration of diversity, inclusivity, art, fashion and culture. Twenty-five official events include the GQ Goes West fashion show, Broadway in Drag Pageant, Dyke March, L-Fund Women's Dance, pool parties, Arenas Rd. Block Party, two-day festival, parade, and the George Zander Candlelight Vigil and March in memory of all victims of hate crimes.

� 2016 marks the 30th Anniversary of Pride in the Coachella Valley - October 31 - November 6.
� The City of Palm Springs designated the Pride Parade a signature event in the late 90s and now the downtown Pride Festival is the largest California Pride Festival south of San Francisco.
� Pride Week attendance at official events in 2015 surpassed 130,000.
� The economic impact of Pride Week 2015 to the Palm Springs area was estimated at $22 million.
� Marketing efforts for Pride reinforce the first weekend of November in Palm Springs as a destination location to travelers around the world. Visitors are enriched through focused human rights awareness, entertainment and a celebration of diversity in the community.
� Our vibrant LGBT community, allies and visitors from around the world relish the inclusivity of our city.
� Pride attracts tourists from drive markets, day visitors, locals, national and international visitors with its regional and national marketing efforts.
o 72% travel to Palm Springs explicitly to participate in the Pride events
o 40% of those registering for official Pride events in 2015 were attending Pride in Palm Springs for the first time
o Visitors from across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Germany and Australia attended in November 2015
o 40% of those traveling stay in a hotel, vacation rental or timeshare and spend an average of $310.82 per day in Palm Springs on hotels, shopping, and dining
� Since 2010 Pride has generated $1,050,000 in hotel transient occupancy tax (TOT).
� 175 volunteers supported Pride Week 2015, doing everything from organizing the 3,000 participants marching in the parade and controlling crowds along the route to coordinating the 120 performers appearing in seven entertainment venues and staffing multiple hospitality venues.
� $20,416 in grants were made in 2015 from the Pride Youth Fund to support grassroots youth engagement activities through the Coachella Valley.
� Unlike other large events in Palm Springs, Pride is FREE to attend for the entire community as well as guests from around the world.

Information at pspride.org