Visit Greater Palm Springs (VGPS) has announced the return of its popular Meet the Mentors program for a fourth consecutive year. Building on the success of the past three years, which paired 18 mentors and mentees, the program connects aspiring travel writers with accomplished journalists. Now through January 6, 2026, aspiring journalists from across the United States can submit an application for the program, which includes a hosted trip to Greater Palm Springs, April 13–16, and one-on-one guidance and mentorship from a journalist. The selected media mentors for this year have written for top-tier publications, including The Points Guy, AFAR, Travel + Leisure, U.S. News and World Report, Travel Noire, and more.
“Hosting Meet the Mentors has shown us the vital role that mentorship plays in inspiring the next generation of travel writers and tourism professionals,” said Colleen Pace, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer for Visit Greater Palm Springs. “We’re excited to bring together a talented group of mentors and motivated mentees for a career-shaping experience to learn from one another while exploring the vibrant world of travel journalism in Greater Palm Springs.”
Once selected, mentees will be paired with experienced travel journalists who will serve as their mentors during a personalized trip to Greater Palm Springs, providing an in-depth look at the inner workings of travel journalism. Participants will gain hands-on experiences from refining journalistic inquiries to perfecting pitch techniques, while exploring all nine unique desert cities. Each mentor-mentee pair will receive a customized itinerary tailored to their personal interests, covering topics such as wellness, outdoor adventure, sustainability, and the region’s diverse businesses and attractions. Following the conclusion of the trip, mentees will work closely with their mentors to produce articles based on their experiences, which will be published on the Visit Greater Palm Springs website.
After the Jan. 6 deadline, a panel of judges from VGPS will select six participants for the 2026 cohort. The chosen mentees will be notified by January 23. Applications are open to candidates of all backgrounds and abilities. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and reside in the United States. This program is designed for emerging and aspiring travel journalists, so applicants should not have an established professional career or bylines in mainstream travel publications.
For more information and to apply, please visit the link HERE.
