Brocade BPAC Palm Springs – Corporate Event

I had the wonderful pleasure of working with Brocade Communications on their annual Business Partner Advisory Council again, and this time we headed West, to Palm Springs.

A wonderful venue called The Parker would be the playground for three days of networking and business development.  Personally, I loved everything about the venue and before my feet even touched the desert soil, I had a feeling that the client and guests would be pleased and would have a hard time leaving. The guests for this event spend a lot of time on the road and the goal was to find a hidden gem that could accomplish the agenda for a corporate event, but provide something unique and give them a chance to play.  With only two Parker(s) in the world, a layout with an atmosphere that gave a resort style feel, yet with all the amenities needed to conduct business, it was just perfect.

The grounds offer different areas to host the multiple events with the convenience of a new experience every time.  The welcome reception, held around the fire pit, came to life with vintage furniture, colorful linens and a beautiful back drop of the mountains.  Since Palm Springs was developed by Old Hollywood and the Rat Pack; Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra tunes filled the air. Signature cocktails of Muddled Lemonades and classic cigars added a little ambiance, while unique treats of miniature baked potatoes filled with blue cheese, smoked salmon, and caviar along with tuna tartar flatbreads tempted the taste buds.

With the assistance of Brandit Bandits, logo branded wine stoppers, luggage tags, water bottles, and visors created daily executive gifts.  Branded M&M’s and caramel popcorn, from a local Palm Springs company, rounded out the packages. 

Daily breakfast, lunch, and snack breaks were held on the Garden Lawn, the Croquet Lawn, and the Petanque Courts. One of my favorite menu selections (and there are many) was a surprise for my client, who has a special place in her heart for lemon filled donuts. Warm donut “holes” served with fresh blueberries and lemon filling is beyond anything one can imagine, and is difficult to document with words. Something so simple had guests smiling from ear to ear.

We did escape The Parker for one night out in the desert. There are many activities to choose from in the area, but a desert adventure through the San Andreas Fault was sure to please.

The red jeeps picked the guests up at The Parker’s doorstep and took the guests on a 30 minute ride through Palm Springs and into the desert. The true desert as the locals would say. An hour ride and tour led us to a old mining town, where live music, good food, and star gazing completed the agenda.  My client and I snuck away for a little more jeeping deeper into the canyon.  Spectacular.

The final farewell was a standing ovation to experience; a wine tasting luncheon in the Gene Autry Residence.

In the late 60’s, Gene purchased the Holiday Inn property, built his residence, and remodeled the property.  It moved on to two more owners before the Parker family purchased it and transformed it into what it is today.  His legacy still lives on and his home is in its original state.

The lunch included five stations of wonderful cuisine paired with the perfect wine for each on the back lawn.  Zucchini fritters with shaved pecorino and white truffle oil paired with Stella Pinot Grigio was a hands down favorite.  A close second was the mini coconut lobster tails paired with Estimulo Sauvignon Blanc.  In all seriousness, it was all amazing and a perfect ending for a perfect event.  It was a true honor.