May 19, 2012
Top Gay Bartenders Come to Palm Springs
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Palm Springs, CA - Since February, Palm Springs has challenged top bartenders from fifteen LGBT clubs and restaurants across the nation to stir, shake and mix-up desert inspired cocktails for its 3rd annual "Palm Springs Summer Splash Cocktail Challenge," presented by Here Media and Stoli Vodka.
A winner from each club is coming to Palm Springs to compete in the "Cocktail Challenge Finale" on May 31, 2012 at 6 p.m. at Hunter's Nightclub in Palm Springs.
"This grass-roots promotion is a creative approach to raise awareness in direct flights and drive markets through audience participation," said Mary Jo Ginther, Director of Tourism. "We bring Palm Springs to these cities to reach potential visitors and meet Palm Springs fans who rave about our destination."
By the end of this campaign, Palm Springs Summer Splash Cocktail Challenges will be held in Chicago, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Long Beach, New York City, Portland, Sacramento, San Jose, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver and the last one on May 13 in West Hollywood.
The finale on May 31 will be emceed by Bella da Ball, while the fifteen bartenders compete against each other to develop their city's winning Palm Springs inspired cocktail using Stolichnaya vodka. Each bartender will be evaluated on taste, presentation and name. The bartenders will also be judged on creativity and attire, as well as presentation and audience participation. Contestants will receive bonus points if "Palm" or "Springs" is in the name of the signature drink.
For the Palm Springs Summer Splash Cocktail Challenge event schedule and participating bartender and clubs, visit www.PalmSpringsCocktailChallenge.com and follow "Martini Mike's" blog to find out the inside scoop on the contestants, locations, sponsors - as well as photos from the promotional nights.
"We were able to expand our efforts to reach potential LBGT traveler in all of these cities with the support of our many sponsors, both on the local and national level," added Ginther.
Palm Springs is home to nearly 30 gay and lesbian-owned and/or operated resorts and guesthouses, including many that are clothing optional. Palm Springs is located within two hours from Los Angeles.
Gay travel and hot deals online at www.VisitGayPalmSprings.com
A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.
