To kick off the new year, Smart Meetings will be heading to Palm Springs to attend the 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival and explore some of the area’s top options for meeting groups. The film festival is dedicated to showcasing the efforts of exceptional, new and emerging talents as well as the outstanding work of established directors, actors and others in the industry. Celebrity spottings are part of the fun–last year’s attendees included Reese Witherspoon, Julianne Moore, Keira Knightly and Benedict Cumberbatch. The festival runs Jan. 1–11, and Smart Meetings will be there for the first four days. Follow us as we attend the elegant awards gala and visit some of the city’s top hotels, restaurants, bars and attractions. Highlights will include a desert jeep tour and a glimpse at some of Palm Springs’ finest midcentury architecture and design.
Last Updated Jan. 5, 2016 – 6:47 PM
All was quiet at the convention center after the gala, but other big events are slated there in 2016. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/ModYD7nxjx
— Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 5, 2016
Desert Adventures’ Morgan Levine has been leading captivating tours of Andreas Canyon for 27 years. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/G7gzJds3mO — Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 5, 2016
Andreas Canyon, easily accessible from Palm Springs, is full of dramatic rock formations and plants. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/PUPxtR2GyG
— Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 5, 2016
Leonardo DiCaprio’s house in the Villas las Palmas area is one of many Palm Springs celebrity homes. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/fTlZJ5hYTN — Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 3, 2016
A jeep tour of Andreas Canyon, ancestral home of Cahuilla tribe, passed by stunning palms and landscapes. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/luypn8Bi68
— Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 3, 2016
Character actor extraordinaire Johnny Depp received an achievement award at the film festival. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/QQ1BeZzriH — Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 3, 2016
No one wants to leave the film festival after-party. Why should they? Everyone is having a blast. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/V2IlTseMKN
— Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 3, 2016
Tropical dancers and a top DJ are keeping the Palm Springs film festival after-party going strong. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/Uqt6X8efnu — Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 3, 2016
Cate Blanchett chats with Smart Meetings after being honored at Palm Springs International Film Festival. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/a3OYh7TW0s
— Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 3, 2016
Matt Damon received the film festival’s final prize of the evening–the Chairman’s Award. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/PrqU6zLOAR — Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 3, 2016
Cate Blanchett, star of the new film “Carol,” made a grand entrance to receive her film festival award. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/ulJebmgejz
— Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 3, 2016
Rising talent Saoirse Ronan, 21, who starred in “Brooklyn” won the international star actress award. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/o6wkGthbib — Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 3, 2016
British actress Kate Winslett presented the international star actor award to Michael Fassbender. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/eGEDQWRB7r
— Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 3, 2016
Energetic Mary Hart is engaging the 2,100 attendees while hosting Palm Springs film festival tonight. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/iZDq6ECfC9 — Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 3, 2016
Michael Keaton was an awards presenter at the film festival. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/IhetmneMqS
— Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 3, 2016
Helen Mirren stops to chat at opening reception for Palm Springs International Film Festival Saturday. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/N2jMbCWNy3 — Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 3, 2016
Outdoor coffee station at Parker Palm Springs, host of the after-party for tonight’s film festival gala. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/CF2J4JzG7J
— Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 2, 2016
The Saguaro Palm Springs’ Test Kitchen offers customized meals prepared as chefs interact with guests. #SmartMtgs pic.twitter.com/Ewc9mKldfL — Dan Johnson (@SmartMtgsDan) January 2, 2016
