Choose Your Palm Springs Adventure!
WMA | August 13, 2026
Now is the time to sign up for activities!
Make the most of your time in Palm Springs by signing up for one of our exciting optional activities! Enjoy the scenery on a Red Jeep Tour of the San Andreas Fault, explore the otherworldly landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park, or hit the courts for a tennis clinic at the iconic Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Prefer something a little more relaxed? Spouses and guests can join us for Mahjong & Mimosas, a fun introduction to the basics of this classic game, or sit back and enjoy a Palm Springs Celebrity Homes Tour. Don't miss one of the chef's tasting menu experiences we have arranged at either The Edge or State Fare restaurants on site at the Ritz-Carlton, for those that prefer a gourmet meal without leaving the property. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot now!
And, our keynote speaker -- you don't want to miss this!
I want to introduce you to our Keynote Speaker, Kyser Thompson of AI for the Rest of Us, who will be leading a discussion on:
- What AI actually is. An honest, hopeful keynote for people starting at zero. What the technology does, what it doesn't, and a straight account of the parts worth being careful about. He also tells what not to put into these tools, which is usually the first thing people want to know and the last thing anybody tells them.
- What it looks like in a Wilbert business. Screen shared, real demos built for our companies. Production scheduling, procurement, logistics, HR. Some built ahead of time, then one built live in the room for a specific company so people watch it happen.
- The AI operating system. What it looks like when AI sits in the middle of how a company runs rather than bolted onto the edge of it. This is the piece that changes how owners think about the next two years.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone next month! Be on the lookout for an additional email with more information about the annual meeting coming soon!
Beth Cooper | Cooper Monument Co. | Cooper Wilbert Vault Co.
WMA Board of Directors, President (2024-2027)
Cell: 609-820-0179
Palm Springs Activities
Open for booking the next two weeks, then upon request (if available)
Adventure, cuisine, celebrity history, and breathtaking desert scenery await in Palm Springs. Choose from a Red Jeep Canyon Tour, Joshua Tree excursion, a unique chef's tasting menu experience, or a celebrity homes tour to make your Annual Meeting experience even more memorable!
All activities are on a first come, first served basis. A 15% booking fee will be added to all activity signups. Cancellations within 30 days prior to the meeting (Aug 26, 2026) will be charged in full, regardless of whether you participate or not.
Everything is sorted and organized in buckets by date below. Many activities are scheduled in the morning when the temperatures are cooler, avoiding the hottest part of the day.
Saturday, September 26
Chef's Tasting Menu Experience: The Edge Steakhouse
Grab your friends and enjoy an elevated chef’s tasting experience at The Edge Steakhouse, perched above the Coachella Valley at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage. Take advantage of this unique dining experience while you can since The Edge is only open for dinner and closed on Mondays. This multi-course experience showcases the restaurant’s signature steaks, seafood and seasonal creations, with each course thoughtfully selected by the chef. A wine pairing is available to complement the tasting menu and is optional. Specific menu selections will be determined by the group participants and chef in advance.
6:30PM
$230++pp*
*wine pairings available at additional cost
Group Min: 6 / Max: 10
Sunday, September 27 -- seven options throughout the day and night!
Red Jeep Tour - San Andreas Fault
Explore the rugged beauty of the California desert on a thrilling Red Jeep tour of the San Andreas Fault. You'll discover dramatic canyons, hidden oases, and stunning desert landscapes in the back of a shaded, open-air jeep with bench seats. Tour includes pickup/dropoff from Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage. Max 7 per Jeep; Total Group Max: 21.
8-11:30AM
Approx. $200pp*
*price subject to change based on final quantity of participants.
Joshua Tree National Park Tour
Explore the otherworldly landscapes of Joshua Tree National Park aboard a Mercedes Sprinter van. Departing from the hotel, this guided naturalist tour visits iconic sites including Skull Rock and Cholla Cactus Garden, with plenty of stops for photos of the park's famous twisted trees, giant granite boulders, and sweeping desert vistas. One of America's most visited national parks, Joshua Tree welcomes more than 3 million visitors each year. Your excursion leaves from the Ritz-Carlton hotel and includes round-trip transportation (approx 1.5 hours commute each way), approx. 3-4 hours inside park, park admission, bottled water, a boxed lunch, and an expert guide. If you like national parks, don't miss this.
8AM-2PM
Approx. $425-$450pp* +boxed lunch cost
Group Max: 10
*Price subject to change depending on final quantity of participants.
Indian Wells Tennis Clinic
Take your game to the next level with a private group tennis lesson at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, home of the prestigious BNP Paribas Open. Work with a professional instructor to sharpen your skills, refine your technique, and enjoy the unforgettable experience of playing where the pros play! Transportation to/from Indian Wells Tennis Garden is on your own (approx. 20 mins from Ritz-Rancho Mirage). Must wear tennis attire, including hard court specific shoes (regular sneakers will not work).
8:30-9:30AM
Approx. $100pp
Loaner Racquets available for $10pp
Palm Springs Celebrity Tour
Experience Palm Springs like never before on a private, customizable celebrity architecture tour. See the outside of these famous architectural wonders from the comfort of a private, air-conditioned Ford Transit. Your guide will take you to discover iconic celebrity homes, fascinating Hollywood stories, and the city’s legendary mid-century architecture—including the famed Kaufmann House. Meet tour guide at The Saguaro Palm Springs Hotel (transportation to/from The Saguaro Palm Springs Hotel is on your own).
2-4PM
Approx. $110pp*
MAX: 9 people per tour, *price subject to change depending on final quantity of participants
Chef's Tasting Menu Experience: State Fare Restaurant
Experience the flavors of Southern California at State Fare Bar & Kitchen at The Ritz Carlton with a chef-curated tasting menu featuring seasonal ingredients and creative California-inspired cuisine. The relaxed yet sophisticated setting makes it an inviting option for a group dining experience, with a wine pairing available to accompany the selected courses. Specific menu selections will be determined by the group in advance.
6:30PM
$145-$165++pp*
*wine pairings available at additional cost
Group Min: 6 / Max: 10
SAMPLE MENU
Chef's Tasting Menu Experience: The Edge Steakhouse
See description from Saturday, September 26 (above) for full details.
6:30PM
$230++pp*
*wine pairings available at additional cost
Group Min: 6 / Max: 10
Interested in playing golf Sunday morning?
Please contact Boyd Anderson, 864-444-2107, if you are interested in playing golf at PGA West: Stadium Course, a Golf Digest Top 50 US Course. A group will be playing in the morning on Sunday, September 27.
Monday, September 28
Mimosas, Muffins & Mahjong (Spouses/Guests Only)
Start your morning with muffins, grab a drink at the bar and learn some mahjong! Join a beginner-friendly lesson (limited to 8 participants) to learn the fundamentals, pick up helpful tips, and discover why this timeless game has become a favorite pastime across generations.
OR
Already know how to play? Gather a table of 4-6 players and come enjoy a friendly game with fellow attendees.
9AM-12PM (this occurs during the meeting)
w/lesson: $115-$125pp
without lesson: $50-60pp
Chef's Tasting Menu Experience: State Fare Restaurant
See description from Sunday, September 27 (above) for full details.
6:30PM
$145-$165++pp*
*wine pairings available at additional cost
Group Min: 6 / Max: 10
Tuesday, September 29
Palm Springs Celebrity Tour (waitlist only)
See description from Sunday, September 27 (above) for full details.
2-4PM
Approx. $110pp*
MAX: 9 people per tour, *price subject to change depending on final quantity of participants
Banquet Theme
On Your Own
Other activities you might enjoy on your own:
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway—the world’s largest rotating tram car—travels over two-and-one-half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting riders to Mt. San Jacinto State Park. During your approximately ten-minute journey, tram cars rotate slowly, offering picturesque and spectacular vistas of the valley floor below. Elevation is 8,516 feet. https://pstramway.com/
Palm Springs Surf Club -- Discover a destination like no other featuring a state-of-the-art wave technology catering to surfers of all levels. Check availability and book your surf session with friends and family. A wide range of wave options are offered depending on your skill level. There is also a general admission waterpark with waterslides, a lazy river, and pool to relax and enjoy a day in surf paradise. Where else can you surf in the desert?!
https://palmspringssurfclub.com/
Email: info@wilbertwma.com
Website: www.wilbertwma.com
Location: PO Box 8013, Greenville, SC 29604
The strength of the Wilbert brand has always been rooted in its network of independent licensees who manufacture and distribute Wilbert products throughout the United States and Canada. The WMA serves as the forum where that network comes together to share ideas, exchange best practices, address challenges, and help shape the future of our organization.