The Desert United Luncheons started in 2007 when founder Mario Hernandez noticed the housing market crash and the economic downturn that impacted  local businesses and entrepreneurs.

Many business professionals were losing their jobs and homes, and the business owners were deciding on paying their home mortgage or choosing to pay or give up their office space.

Mario and his team decided to gather his resources to help follow business men and women by creating the Desert United Luncheons and providing local business owners and professionals a place to network and build business relationships and friendships. Mario and his team will be celebrating  their 14th year hosting these luncheons.

We bring together professionals, retailers, hospitality businesses, contractors, service providers, nonprofits, and college students with one important goal: to build good relationships and friendships and to get to know each other better to build our resources.

Every individual at a luncheon table has three minutes to share their business story with their table-mates. Each month’s luncheon highlights a nonprofit as its guest speaker with the intention of raising awareness about the nonprofit’s good works. The speaker is offered the opportunity to share what is needed for the nonprofit to succeed in its mission.

Desert United recognizes the charitable nonprofits valuable contributions in the Coachella Valley, with the support of Mario Hernandez the Desert United Luncheons recognition award program for charitable nonprofits. Luncheon attendees vote quarterly for a Coachella Valley nonprofit of their choice. The charitable nonprofit that receives the most votes is presented the DUL zenith award at the Desert United Luncheon. The winner will receive an award for their valuable contributions to the Coachella Valley at our Desert United Luncheon.