Palm Desert, CA, February 2, 2010 - ACCESS Destination Services is proud to announce that ACCESS Partner, Barb Smith, DMCP, was recognized as "Salesperson of the Year" by the Palm Springs Desert Resort Communities Convention and Visitors Authority at the CVA's 2010 Annual Membership Luncheon & 2009 Hospitality Achievement Awards for Excellence held at the Agua Caliente Resort & Spa. Both Smith and ACCESS Palm Springs salesperson Kelley Howard were nominated by industry peers for this honor. This award recognizes contributions toward promoting the Palm Springs Desert Resorts as a premier meetings and incentive travel destination.
Smith, a 30-year industry veteran, began her career with ACCESS Destination Services (formerly California Leisure Consultants) in 1978. Her vast knowledge of and passion for the Palm Springs area as well as her destination management expertise have earned her the respect of hospitality industry peers and clients alike. States Smith, "I am honored to receive this award and to have been nominated by industry peers. Having promoted the Palm Springs area for over 30 years to clients worldwide, I am proud of the growth and innovation in our valley and of how that translates to value and exemplary services for in-bound meeting, conference and incentive travel groups. This makes my job that much easier!"
Additional award recipients include: Westjet Airlines (2009 Partners in Progress Award); Andrew and Juliana Copley, Copley's on Palm Canyon (Restaurateur of the Year); Mary Jardin, the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies (Business or Attraction of the Year); Thomas Meding, The Parker Palm Springs (Small Hotel General Manager); Victor Woo, Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa/KSL Resorts (Large Hotel General Manager); and Jose Hurtado, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa (Frontline Person of the Year.)
Since 1970, ACCESS Destination Services has provided the highest caliber of full-service, professional destination management and event production services in the West, including Anaheim/Orange County, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Palm Springs and San Diego.
