On May 29, 2024, the Chairman John A. James Lifetime Achievement Award and President’s Award were announced.
David Brinkman, CEO of DAP Health, received the Chairman John A. James Lifetime Achievement Award. Brinkman has led DAP Health for 17 years, during which time the organization has achieved several significant milestones. These include establishing Vista Sunrise, an affordable housing complex for people living with HIV; creating Riverside County's first adult HIV specialty clinic; launching the Get Tested Coachella Valley initiative; opening a sexual wellness clinic in Indio; integrating Borrego Health's system and its 24 locations serving 70,000 patients; and unveiling Vista Sunrise II to support unhoused individuals and those with chronic illnesses.
The President’s Award was given to Desert Care Network, which operates three hospitals in Southern California: Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio, and Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree.
Additional award recipients included:
- Ambassador of the Year: Peter Bedard
- Small Business of the Year (East Valley): Ryan Ryan Fine Jewelry & Gift Bar
- Small Business of the Year (Mid Valley): La Quinta Brewing Co
- Small Business of the Year (West Valley): Mary Pickford is D’Place
- Large Business of the Year (East Valley): Aziz Farms Inc
- Large Business of the Year (Mid Valley): Renova Energy
- Large Business of the Year (West Valley): Sunline Transit Agency
- Community Spotlight Award: Palm Springs International Film Society
- Non-Profit of the Year: Palm Springs Air Museum
The event also featured business awards presentations and board installations. Attendees enjoyed a cash bar, dinner, silent auction, and more under this year's theme "A Look to the Future," focusing on the future of Coachella Valley's business community.
Sponsors included Title Sponsor Desert Wildlife Center; Presenting Sponsors City of Indian Wells, Desert Care Network, Desert Urgent Care, and Fantasy Springs Resort Casino; Entertainment Sponsor Palm Springs International Film Festival; Award Sponsor Powered by IID; Centerpiece Sponsors DAP Health, FirstBank, Southern California Edison, and Sun Community Federal Credit Union; and Community Sponsors Alpha Media, AT&T, Banc of California, Chandi Group USA, City of Cathedral City, City of La Quinta, Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District KESQ New Channel 3 NBC Palm Springs/Univision Palm Springs Servpro Team Brogdon Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez Valley Sanitary District Visit Greater Palm Springs.
For tickets and sponsorship information visit https://gcvcc.org/event/gcvcc-2024-annual-installation-and-business-awards-dinner/.