Palm Springs Tech Steering Committee

Where Culture, Creativity, and Technology Converge

The PS Tech Steering Committee catalyzes technology-enabled economic development in Palm Springs—building a modern workforce pipeline, strengthening local businesses, and attracting new investment aligned to the region's creative and cultural strengths.

Our Mission

Why we exist and what we stand for.

Mission

Catalyze technology-enabled economic development in Palm Springs+ by supporting the development of a modern workforce pipeline, increasing competitiveness and productivity of existing businesses, and attracting and retaining new businesses and investment aligned to the region's strengths.

Vision

Palm Springs is recognized as a people-first model for how a city can harness AI and emerging technologies—integrated with creativity, hospitality, health/wellness, and sustainability—to expand opportunity, strengthen local businesses, and build a resilient, diversified economy.

Guiding Principles

Economic Growth & Sustainability

Alignment to Palm Springs and Coachella Valley economic development plans.

People-First Technology

Demystify AI and empower residents; center human agency, creativity, and community well-being.

Practical Over Theoretical

Prioritize hands-on learning, applied use cases, and measurable outcomes.

Access & Equity

Ensure underserved youth and small businesses have pathways to skills, tools, and opportunity.

Regional Collaboration

Operate as Palm Springs+; coordinate across the Coachella Valley when it increases impact.

Transparency & Trust

Publish goals, metrics, and lessons learned; model responsible and ethical technology adoption.

Our Journey

Key milestones from formation to the future.

Summer 2024

SteerCo Formed

Original vision proposal circulated; founding survey conducted and reviewed to validate community priorities.

2024

Pilot Events

Art Museum and Air Museum events convene students, businesses, creatives, and technologists. Feedback surfaced demand for business upskilling, education partnerships, and networking.

Jun 2025

Palm Springs AI & Creativity Expo 2025

Sold-out inaugural expo at the Convention Center with 500+ attendees and 20+ expert contributors. Hands-on sessions, keynotes from media and film leaders, and student/creative showcases.

Fall 2025

FuturePS Meetups Launched

Monthly gatherings launched with the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, convening builders, founders, artists, educators, and AI-curious community members.

Nov 2025

EDSF Approved

City Council approves the Economic Development Strategic Framework, providing a durable policy anchor for SteerCo alignment.

Jun 2026

Tech Futures Expo 2026

Two-day expansion bridging culture, creativity, and applied technology for residents, students, businesses, and visiting innovation leaders.

Palm Springs AI & Creativity Expo 2025

Our sold-out inaugural event at the Convention Center.

500+
Attendees
Sold Out
Event Status
20+
Expert Contributors
~55
Net Promoter Score

The AI & Creativity Expo validated strong community demand for accessible, people-first AI education and hands-on application—proving Palm Springs is ready to lead at the intersection of culture, creativity, and technology.

2026 Tech Futures Expo

Two days of innovation, connection, and community.

June 22–23, 2026
Palm Springs Convention Center

The Tech Futures Expo is the initiative's primary annual convening and a key delivery mechanism for measurable outcomes. It is designed to serve both residents and the region's visitor economy by bridging culture and innovation—with accessible onramps, hands-on workshops, and cross-sector collaboration.

Program Tracks

Community Onramp

AI basics, safety, and everyday life applications. Jargon-free sessions for non-technical audiences.

Small Business & Nonprofit

Marketing, operations, analytics, and automation workshops with local case studies and practical toolkits.

Education & Workforce

Student showcases, educator sessions, internship and project matchmaking, and mentorship pathways.

Creative + Storytelling

AI filmmaking, music, design, and interactive art. Deep dives for storytellers and creative professionals.

Builder Track

Tools, workflows, prototyping, and responsible deployment for developers and technical practitioners.

Civic & Community Impact

AI for public services, health and wellness, climate resilience, and accessibility.

FuturePS Meetups

A monthly gathering convening builders, founders, artists, educators, and AI-curious community members. FuturePS sustains momentum between annual expos and creates a durable, relationship-driven innovation community in the Coachella Valley.

Hosted by the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce.

EDSF Alignment

How our work maps to the city's Economic Development Strategic Framework.

Expand Economic Development Capacity

Serve as a convening engine and partner network; provide program execution capacity; support a “front door” for AI/tech resources.

Reinvigorate Business Climate

Deliver business upskilling workshops and office-hours mentorship; provide practical playbooks and a trusted referral network.

Bolster Existing Industries

Use events and creative tech programming to strengthen destination brand; showcase hospitality and experience innovation; expand year-round activity.

Nurture Emerging Clusters

Repeat convenings (FuturePS + annual Expo); run pilots (AI film, digital arts); expand into health/wellness and climate/energy innovation tracks.

Strengthen Community Assets & Infrastructure

Advance digital literacy and workforce readiness; host civic-tech sessions; align partners on enabling infrastructure needs.

Get Involved

There's a place for everyone in the valley's tech future.

Tech & Creative Professionals

Mentor students, speak at FuturePS meetups, lead Expo workshops, or join a working group on AI, creative technology, or workforce development.

Volunteer Your Expertise

Business Owners & Nonprofits

Sponsor the Expo, attend upskilling workshops, access office-hours mentorship, or partner on workforce development programs.

Become a Partner

Students & Educators

Showcase projects at the Expo, participate in hands-on learning pathways, or connect with mentors and employers in the valley.

Get Started