Winners were nominated and selected by tourism industry professionals throughout the Palm Springs Desert Resorts in the six categories of "Outstanding General Manager" (Properties 200 rooms and under and 201 rooms and over); "Outstanding Hospitality Business and Attraction Professional"; "Outstanding Restaurateur"; "Outstanding Salesperson"; and "Outstanding Front Line Employee." 

The 2002 Hospitality Awards were presented by members of the Joint Powers Authority Executive Committee (JPA) and Hospitality Industry and Business Council (HIBC), including JPA Chair and City of Desert Hot Springs Mayor Matthew Weyuker, and HIBC Chair and Marriott's Shadow Ridge Resort General Manager Jim Lopez.

The winners were:

Outstanding General Manager -- (Properties 200 rooms and under) -- A tie took place in this category: Linda Carter, Director of Sales & Marketing, The Inn at Deep Canyon; and Brad Poncher, General Manager, Smoke Tree Ranch.

Outstanding General Manager -- (Properties 201 rooms and over): Frank Garahan, General Manager, Marriott's Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa. 

Outstanding Salesperson of the Year -- Mike Islava, Director of Sales & Marketing, The Lodge at Rancho Mirage. 

Outstanding Hospitality Business/Attraction Professional of the Year -- Mary Dungans, Desert Adventures Jeep Tours.
 
Outstanding Restaurateur -- A tie took place in this category: The Santucci Family, Owners, Capri Restaurant; and Lee Morcus, Owner, Kaiser Grille.
 
Outstanding Front Line Person -- Mark Quesada, Bell Captain, Wyndham Palm Springs Hotel. Quesada received not only a plaque to commemorate his service, but a check for $500 and two round trip tickets to anywhere in the continental United States.

Additionally, the CVA's 2002 Partners In Progress award was presented to PBS host Huell Howser, host of the acclaimed 'California's Gold' television series, for his continued promotion and support of the Palm Springs Desert Resorts as a travel destination.

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.