Archives for October, 2009

Palm Springs LA Writer’s Dinner at BOA, West Hollywood

Posted on Oct 11, 2009 under Archives, Palm Springs | No Comment
BOA steakhouse, west hollywood

BOA steakhouse, west hollywood

Last week, approximately 50 writers from a wide variety of publications attended the LA writer’s dinner held at the trendy BOA on Sunset in West Hollywood (we never refuse a free meal, especially at a steakhouse).  The event was sponsored by a group of hotels and resorts, as well as the board of tourism and convention and visitor’s authority.  After mingling and cocktails, all of the writers moved into a private dining room for dinner and presentations.

Writers at dinner

Writers at dinner

Mark Graves, director of communications for the Palm Springs Desert Convention and Visitors Authority welcomed all of the writers.

Mark Graves, palm springs desert convention and visitors authority

Mark Graves, palm springs desert convention and visitors authority

Hilary Angel, Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism

Hilary Angel, Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism

Hilary Angel from the Palm Sprigns Bureau of Tourism also welcomed us.

jumbo lump crabcake

jumbo lump crabcake

Dinner started with a jumbo lump crabcake and a caesar salad.

Caesar salad

Caesar salad

We got to choose from chicken, salmon, Ahi tuna, filet mignon or New York strip steak.  I opted for the filet, as we were at a steakhouse, and it was delicious.  Sides included grilled jumbo asparagus, mac & cheese and roasted garlic whipped potatoes.   Here are some pics:

My plate, yummy

My plate, yummy

Grilled jumbo asparagus

Grilled jumbo asparagus

Mac n cheese

Mac n cheese

roasted garlic mashed potatoes

roasted garlic mashed potatoes

For dessert we had cookies, ice cream and cheesecake.

Dessert

Dessert

Throughout the evening, pr directors from a wide range of Palm Springs resorts and activities made presentations to update all of us on all of the new things going on in the desert.    Here are some of the speakers:

Emily Bird from Renaissance Esmerelda Resort

Emily Bird from Renaissance Esmerelda Resort

Greg Purdy from the Palm Springs Follies

Greg Purdy from the Palm Springs Follies

Defne Altan from the Hyatt

Defne Altan from the Hyatt

Lena Zimmerschied from the Palm Springs Aerial Tram

Lena Zimmerschied from the Palm Springs Aerial Tram

Pam Devaney from Miramonte

Pam Devaney from Miramonte

Robert Secoda from Westin Mission Hills

Robert Secoda from Westin Mission Hills

Therese Everett Kerley from Agua Caliente

Therese Everett Kerley from Agua Caliente

The event had fabulous food and was a great opportunity to network with other writers.   Drawings were held and weekend getaways were given out to many of the resorts – unfortunately ours was the only table that didn’t win a weekend away!   I got more info for my article on pet friendly Palm Springs, as well as all of the great resorts and activities now available in Palm Springs.  Temperatures have dropped and now is the perfect time to head to the desert.

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