WEEKLY UPDATE- March 26, 2026 | | |
Hello All –
We continue through March with a number of business and community events happening. Most of the activities that DBA and our members are involved with are shared in this newsletter, along with links for you to get involved. Here are just a few:
Coming up on Monday, March 30th is another Speed Networking session where DBA members can not only meet some other members in a smaller setting but allow you to hone your networking skills and “elevator speech” in a friendly space...and have a good time doing so.
We are also getting ready to close nominations for our 2026 DBA Impact Awards where we honor businesses, community organizations, and leaders for their contributions to the LGBTQ+ communities. Please take a few minutes to click the link and share who you believe deserves some recognition. Nominations close on Monday, March 30th.
This Saturday, March 28th is Trans Pride, with the theme Empower and Employ. Join us at Demuth Park Community Center for this free celebration and recognition of a community that is often overlooked and undervalued. DBA will have a both there along with numerous DBA members and partners.
Marilyn’s 100th Birthday and Record-Breaking Attempt is happening on Saturday, May 30th and we want to build our DBA Team. Our community is working to break the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of Marilyn Monroe look-alikes ever seen. This is a modest fundraiser for our partner Palm Springs Pride. Your $75 donation includes the “Icon Kit” for you to wear that day. Items are listed next to the registration link.
A challenge: If we can get the DBA Team to be OVER 20 people by April 6th, I will wear my Marilyn outfit at the DBA Mixer that night. You have 10 days and we already have 4 people, so be sure to register for “The Desert Business Assn. LGBTQ+ Chamber” Team at pspride.org/Marilyn100
Fun fact: The Desert Business Association was an initial founder of Palm Springs Pride almost 40 years ago. More celebration ahead around that!
That’s all for now. We look forward to seeing you soon at a networking mixer, community event, or just around town. If any questions or comments, please reach out.
Dave Powell, DBA Executive Director
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DBA Networking and
Learning Opportunities
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Event Details:
Date: March 30, 2026 (Monday)
Time: 5:30- 7:00 pm
Location: DBA Office
3111 E Tahquitz Canyon Way.
Palm Springs
Cost: DBA Members $10
DBA Members:
We are bringing back Speed Networking: Meet Everyone in the Room. This high-energy event is designed to connect you with everyone—not just the people you know.
This structured networking experience lets you practice your elevator speech, and ensures that you’ll meet one-on-one and share about your business with everyone in the room in two-minute segments, each getting one minute.
You pair, you share, you move on.
Register Here
https://bit.ly/2026-3-30speednetworking
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2026 DBA Impact Awards – Business & Community Service Awards
DBA Impact Awards: In May, we will honor businesses, community organizations, and individuals for their impact in both our local and LGBTQ+ communities. The DBA Impact Awards is one of our most meaningful events of the year, celebrating leadership, service, and community impact across the valley.
- Silent Auction Donations: We are also seeking donations of items, services, or experiences. This is a great way to showcase your business while supporting DBA’s mission. Donors will be recognized at the event and in follow-up promotions. Proceeds support our work throughout the year, so thank you in advance for your support.
Please reach out to James Lindquist at jwlindquist@hotmail.com or call 504-459-9066.
Thank you for your continued support and generosity—we truly couldn’t do this without you.
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Event Details:
DBA Networking Mixer at OPT Optometric
Date: April 6, 2026 (Monday)
Time: 5:30- 7:00 pm
Location: OPT Optometric
777 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, STE 123
Palm Springs
Cost:
DBA Members Free
Future Members $20
Our March Networking Mixer will be held at OPT Optometric, and co-hosted by CG Events This optical boutique features a beautiful selection of eyewear, with comprehensive services that include eye exams, styling consultations, and dry eye therapy. CG Events brings 30 years of combined experience in event planning, production management, and mission-driven organizational leadership.
Register here
https://bit.ly/dbamixer2026-4-6
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Event Details:
DBA Learns Contracting with Government Agencies
Date: April 8, 2026 (Wednesday)
Time: 9:00- 11:00 am
Location: Zoom (link will be sent in at registration)
Cost: Free
This workshop will help businesses understand how to identify and compete for contracting opportunities with cities and public agencies.
Participants will learn where opportunities are posted, what agencies look for in quotes, bids, and proposals, and how the evaluation and selection process works after submission.
You will also learn how to read and interpret solicitations, prepare a timely response, and position your business to compete strategically for government work.
The session will be led by local government procurement professionals who have first-hand knowledge of the contracting process. There will also be time for questions and answers to help increase your confidence in pursuing these opportunities.
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Event Details:
2026 Chamber of Commerce
Annual Joint Mixer
Date: May 13, 2026 (Wednesday)
Time: 5:30- 7:30 pm
Location: Palm Springs Air Museum
745 N Gene Autry Tr., Palm Springs
Cost:
$20 Before May 12 (Wrist bands available at DBA mixers and in our office)
$30 On Site
Celebrate the summer with the return of one of the most exciting networking events of the season! Join the DBA and the Valley's other chambers for a night of networking, delicious food, and lots of fun.
Wrist bands are available at the DBA offices or at the May Mixer.
Call 760.904.4589 for more information
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Marilyn's 100th Birthday Record-Setting Event
Event Details:
Date: May 30, 2026 (Wednesday)
Time: 4:30- 6:00 pm Record Certification
2:00-10:00 PM live entertainment, food and beverage activations
Location: Downtown Palm Springs, around the "Forever Marilyn" statue.
Cost: $75 Registration Fee includes Marilyn transformation kit.
Be Part of History. Be an Icon.
Join Team DESERT BUSINESS ASSN. -LGBTQ+ CHAMBER to be part of the fun.
In honor of what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday, Palm Springs is turning the desert platinum. We aren't just celebrating; we’re aiming for the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest gathering of Marilyn Monroe look-alikes ever seen!
Registration Includes Your "Icon Kit"
For a $75 registration fee, you don’t just join the record attempt; you get the full Marilyn transformation.
Every participant receives:
- The Signature White "Subway" Dress (Select your size at checkout)
- Stylized Platinum Blonde Wig
- Visit Palm Springs Cat-Eye Sunglasses
- Martini Glass
Saturday, May 30, 2026
- 4:30-6 pm World Record Certification
- 2-10 pm live entertainment, food, and beverage activations
Register at pspride.org/marilyn100
| | | Look What Else is Happening | | |
Coachella Valley Local Government Vendor Fair
Event Details:
Date: April 15, 2026 (Wednesday)
Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Palm Springs Convention Center
Cost: Free, but please register prior.
Businesses seeking contracts for business with cities and other agencies in the Coachella Valley, here is your opportunity to meet the procurement departments and find out what is available.
Want to prepare for the event? Two workshops to help you:
Register for DBA Learns: Creating a Capabilities Statement workshop on Wednesday, March 25th to help you develop the tool to let agencies know what your business can provide.
The DBA Learns: Contracting with Government Agencies workshop on Wednesday, April 8th will have procurement professionals explain the process for contracts from listing the opportunities to award on contracts.
Click to register for the Coachella Valley Local Government Vendor Fair on April 15th.
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Trans Pride
Empower & Employ
Date: March 28, 2026 (Saturday)
Location:
Demuth Community Center, 3601 Mesquite Ave
Palm Springs
Cost: Free
Join the DBA at Trans Pride 2026! Celebrate and support the transgender community with a day filled with empowerment and employment opportunities. Connect with like-minded individuals, discover resources, and learn from inspiring speakers.
Whether you're looking for job opportunities or simply want to show your support, this in-person event is the perfect place to be. Celebrate diversity, and create a more inclusive future. Expect resource booths, live drag performances, food trucks, fashion show, trans rights forum, and the MPJ youth space, See you there!
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Business Innovation Roadmap in the Utility Industry
Date: March 31, 2026 (Tuesday)
Location: Virtual (Microsoft Teams)
Cost: Free
This session will explore how businesses can innovate and adapt within the utility industry. Participants will gain insight into emerging trends, strategic positioning and ways to align business capabilities with utility sector needs.!
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LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!
Date: April 9-19 2026
Location: DEZART PLAYHOUSE
605 S. Riverside Drive
Cost: $69-$78
Winner of the 1995 Tony Award for Best Play and hailed by many critics as Terrence McNally’s finest play, exploring friendship, betrayal, and the power of community in the face of loss as the men confront and analyze their lives, relationships, and friendships in 90s America.
As infidelity, AIDS, romance, and death infiltrate their friendship group, the men must decide who and what is most important when reality hits home. Treading the boundary between comedy and tragedy with themes anyone can identify with loneliness, jealousy, need and generosity.
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Palm Springs Cultural Center 2026 Spring Gala Fundraiser Concert
Date: April 18, 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 6:00 PM Cocktails, 7:00 PM Show
Location:
Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 East Baristo Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Cost: $110.73
Broadway favorite Sierra Boggess, an Olivier Award–nominated actress and one of Broadway’s most beloved leading ladies. She is best known for her portrayal of Christine in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Webber himself praised her performance, famously stating, “She’s the best—the best Christine, certainly.”
The evening will feature a special tribute to Dr. Tom Truhe, who is retiring after twenty years of philanthropy (and bringing Broadway’s top talent to the desert).
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