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TRAMWAY NAMES NEW VP OF MARKETING & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Public Affairs Manager Greg Purdy Promoted
PALM SPRINGS, CA (August 1, 2017) Palm Springs Aerial Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols is pleased to announce the promotion of Greg Purdy to the position of Vice President of Marketing & Public Affairs.
“Serving as Tramway public affairs manager for the past three years, his understanding of our particular marketing operation and his extensive background in the tourism industry made Greg the logical choice for the VP position,” says Nichols.
Purdy previously worked for fourteen years as senior communications manager for the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, following a multi-decade career in hotel sales and general management.
“I consider myself fortunate to work for an organization that is not only highly respected, but also has a wonderful internal culture,” says Purdy. “The dedication by the Tram’s senior management, staff and board of directors during the past 54 years has made the Tram a true signature attraction for Southern California, enjoyed by visitors and residents alike. I am quite honored to be a part of that tradition.”
In this position, Purdy will oversee advertising, digital marketing, group sales, special events, promotions, ticketing and public affairs, as well as serving as clerk for the Mt. San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, the Tram’s governing body.
Adds Purdy, “As a kid, I remember telling my parents that I really wanted to ride the Palm Springs Tram, so my mother and I took the bus one day from Long Beach, California to do just that. Who knew that I would one day be a part of this great organization!”
Tramway Surpasses 20-Millionth Rider
Milestone Reached in Iconic Attraction’s 54-Year History
PALM SPRINGS, CA (July 21, 2017) Four friends visiting Palm Springs from the Northeast were more than just the last patrons to enter the Tramway’s Valley Station at 7:58 p.m. on July 20th; Robbie Zweig, Brandon Mercier, Michael Landau and Abby Slywka—collectively—also became the 20-millionth riders of this iconic Palm Springs attraction.
When learning of their surprise distinction—other than asking if they were on a TV prank show—explained that they decided to extend their trip by a day just so they could all have dinner together at the Tramway.
“I’ve never been the twenty-millionth anything,” joked Mercier. “It must be the dry heat that made us lucky,” added Landau. While enjoying his first-ever ride on the Tramway, Zweig could only say, “Breathtaking.” Summing up their excitement, Slywka said, “I travel a lot for work, but now try to see things on my trips, like the Tram. I am so happy I changed my flight until tomorrow. What a fun night!”
According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “I remember our 10-millionth rider back in 1994. It took us 31 years to hit that mark, but only 23 years to reach our 20-millionth.”
To commemorate the occasion, the friends received a gift bag worth over $150 and were the Tramway’s guests.
Adds Nichols, “The clock now starts ticking on us reaching our 30-millionth rider. I suspect it will take even less time to reach that milestone.”
NEW TRAMWAY GENERAL MANAGER NAMED
Nancy Nichols Assumes Post After 30-Year Tram Tenure
PALM SPRINGS, CA (June 23, 2017) At the June 21 meeting of the Mt. San Jacinto Winter Park Authority—the governing body of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway—Vice President of Sales & Marketing Nancy Nichols was named the Tram’s new general manager following the retirement of current general manager, Rob Parkins.
According to Authority Chairman Jerry Ogburn, “Nancy was not only the logical choice, but we are indeed fortunate to have someone with such a deep institutional understanding of the Tramway. After 30 years, she knows every aspect of the operation. She was also strongly supported and recommended by Rob Parkins for the general manager position and enjoys the consensus support of Tram staff and Authority members as well.”
Born to a military family, Nichols was raised in Southern California, originally working in the insurance industry. “When I joined the Tramway,” says Nichols, “I could have never imagined that I would work in all the various positions I have and—three decades later—that I would be named general manager.
“This is definitely an exciting time to be at the Tram. The strategic planning by both our board and staff during the past few years will soon be visible to our patrons.
“As vice president of sales and marketing and, now, general manager, I remain committed to this iconic attraction’s continued success.”
