Participants had gathered for a two-day ConferenceDirect event championing diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) held at the hotel.

By Daniel Vaillancourt

 On the beautifully balmy afternoon of January 22, almost two dozen meeting professionals — eight ConferenceDirect associates, a handful of high-level Hyatt sales executives, and nine top customers from organizations that host large-scale conferences and events — descended upon Revivals Palm Springs, one of four resale stores (the others are located in Cathedral City, Palm Desert, and Indio) owned by and benefitting DAP Health.

Their mission, which they gladly accepted, was to work in a trio of teams (Furniture, Art, Accessories) to design a sample hotel suite inspired by the aesthetic of the Thompson Palm Springs, by Hyatt. To complete the challenge, participants were instructed to use pre-loved items available on Revivals’ sales floor, complemented by brand-new Mode furniture, a DAP Health brand also sold at the store.

“DAP Health’s brilliant Chief of Brand Marketing Steven Henke came up with the idea in partnership with us,” says Thompson Palm Springs Director of Sales and Marketing Kelly Teo. “This unique collaboration for a DEI event had the essence and culture of Thompson and Revivals through design and sustainability. The window display at Revivals will hopefully draw old and new customers to the store, and to the Thompson Palm Springs.”

The exercise wasn’t just about inspiration and inventiveness; it was an unprecedented collaboration where corporate executives worked directly within a thrift store setting, partnering with a health care nonprofit known for its 40-year commitment to protecting and expanding health care access for members of the LGBTQ+ community to bring awareness to its mission. By repurposing thrift store finds to craft elegant and functional spaces, attendees highlighted the importance of imagination, sustainability, and community engagement to create value.

“A world-class brand like Hyatt taking up residence in a resale retailer like Revivals, owned by a health care nonprofit like DAP Health, has simply never been done,” says Henke. “This exceptional happening is what makes it win-win-win for us, Hyatt and the Thompson, DAP Health, and our community.” 

A Creative Community Exercise

 “People are always looking for unique and creative opportunities to bring people together to get them thinking outside the box, and to get them to familiarize themselves with one another’s teamwork,” says ConferenceDirect Senior Vice President Brian Melton. “Most of these attendees have seen everything. So, to be this over-the-top creative is definitely something they’ll take with them and remember.”

The activity underscored the importance of leveraging partnerships to amplify social impact. It also demonstrated how businesses can integrate CSR principles into their core operations, paving the way for innovative initiatives that benefit both organizations and communities.

“At every ConferenceDirect event, we incorporate a hands-on activity that encourages attendees to engage with and support a local cause,” says ConferenceDirect Senior Vice President J.J. Wills. “It’s essential to us that our meetings have a positive and lasting impact on the destinations where we gather. Building these relationships and fostering a spirit of collaboration is at the heart of what we do. It’s through these connections that we spark meaningful peer-to-peer learning and personal growth.”

A Platform for DEI and LGBTQ+ Advocacy

The day before, the Thompson Palm Springs had been the vibrant setting for ConferenceDirect’s second annual Club Pride event, which is dedicated to DEI and CSR.

“We have a longstanding and strong partnership with Hyatt,” says Wills. “That led us to approach them and the Thompson Palm Springs with the idea of hosting this two-day affair.”

Since its founding in 1998, ConferenceDirect has become one of the most respected meeting and event management firms in the world, known for creating unforgettable experiences while helping organizations achieve their goals. Club Pride, launched as a platform for advancing DEI and LGBTQ+ inclusion, reflects the company’s progressive vision and commitment to amplifying important conversations.

“The goal of Club Pride is to create a space where meeting professionals who are deeply committed to supporting the LGBTQ+ community can come together to explore how they can drive meaningful change in their respective organizations,” continues Wills. “Beyond that, we were excited to showcase the Thompson Palm Springs as a welcoming, LGBTQ+ friendly destination within the vibrant Palm Springs community, reinforcing its reputation as a forward-thinking and inclusive locale for meetings and events.”

The 2025 iteration of Club Pride officially began with an engaging evening session where Hyatt Hotels Vice President of Global Diversity Equity and Inclusion Tyronne Stoudemire delivered an insightful update on DEI and LGBTQ+ issues, sharing the latest strategies and challenges within the hospitality sector. The introductory soirée concluded with a lively reception in the hotel’s Lola Rose Glass House and Terrace, which allowed participants to connect and exchange ideas in a more informal setting.

 Best Practices and Personal Stories: A Day of Insights

On Wednesday morning, the conference delved deeper into actionable strategies for building impactful DEI programs. Risk Management Society Vice President of DEI, People, and Culture Cherise Papadopolo began the day with a compelling talk on best practices for developing and sustaining DEI and LGBTQ+ initiatives. Her insights laid the groundwork for a case study presented by Stoudemire, who highlighted Hyatt’s journey in creating a comprehensive DEI framework.

One of the day’s most powerful moments came during lunch, when DAP Health Chief Transformation Officer C.J. Tobe shared his personal story. Once homeless and battling AIDS, he is now an influential executive thriving with HIV. His narrative underscored the importance of community support, access to health care, and the transformative potential of resilience, inspiring attendees to reflect on their own roles in driving change.

The day ended at Revivals, where collaboration was de rigueur as the team executed its design of the Thompson-inspired suite, which will remain on display for the next few weeks.

“As professionals in the industry, it’s helpful to be connected to others who are in meeting planning, and who are also actively thinking about inclusion, how we’re planning meetings, how we’re more broadly engaged in the events industry,” says Physician Assistant Education Association Chief Operating Officer Zach Britt. “I was not expecting this from a corporate social responsibility activity, but I loved just pulling random furniture and putting together a masterpiece.”

As the attendees returned home, they carried with them not just new insights and connections but also a renewed dedication to making a difference in their respective fields. Club Pride stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when vision, purpose, and action come together.

“Small, intimate, tangible events like this matter,” says Hyatt Sales Force Global Director Tricia Dillard. “It’s where we can actually see the dots of our brand connecting to the dots of the community where we are, the people we serve, our colleagues, our customers. It all matters in an important way. It’s magic.”