President's Message

Dear Colleagues,

I’m beginning to wish for “real” spring to arrive and the good weather that comes with it. So far it’s been an exciting year given the challenges that the Board is taking on. The General Plan, TAMC and other tax increases are at the top of the list. The June election is fast approaching and additional work is needed to debate, educate and communicate.

First, a brand new twist this year… the Monterey County Hospitality Association is stepping up to the plate and assisting in the support of the Monterey County Convention Visitor Bureau in its efforts to become self-funded to promote tourism in Monterey County.

Second, the Board voted at their April board meeting to financially support Measure A, TAMC’s self help sales tax measure in the amount of $10,000. More details about the Measure can be found in the government affairs article.

Third, the Board had a mini-retreat last month and is looking at our future in a five-year plan focusing on self-promotion and membership goals. You would have been very impressed with the input and the participation of the board.

Fourth, something absolutely new this year we hired Mr. Chris Chidlaw of Chidlaw Marketing, as Membership sales person in a cooperative partnership with the MCCVB. This will enable us to better help us in growing our membership.

Lastly, as you recall my promise to you was to improve value, involvement and membership. I believe were on the right path. Please feel free to share this newsletter with prospective member and help them join a great organization.

Thank you for supporting MCHA!

Michael Bekker
Fly Monterey
 

Government Affairs E-news
Bob McKenzie, Government Affairs Director

Looking at the June 2006 elections:

Wow – what a difference a couple of months make! Instead of an issue-packed and confusing June ballot, Monterey County voters have only two state propositions to decide, one countywide measure, two countywide offices, and two supervisorial districts. A federal judge ruled the general plan initiative mentioned in the last E-News should not appear on the June 2006 ballot because the initiative petitions and related materials were not made available to voters in Spanish and English, a violation, the judge said, of the federal Voting Rights Act! Because of that ruling, the County Board of Supervisors pulled the Butterfly Village referendum from the June ballot; it, too, was not made available in Spanish and English.

Look for MCHA’s voting advice in the next E-News. MCHA has already decided on the one countywide measure, Measure A.

Measure A – the countywide transportation self-help sales tax measure
As we mentioned in the last E-News, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County has placed its transportation projects self-help sales tax measure on the June 2006 ballot. That measure is designated Measure A.

In brief, the measure authorizes TAMC to impose a one half-cent sales tax for fourteen years to fund a list of transportation improvement projects. MCHA representatives, in collaboration with representatives from agriculture, the wine grape growing and winemaking industry, the building industry, general business, and local government, helped develop the list of projects to be funded.

MCHA’s highest priority transportation project is the widening of Highway 156 and improvement in traffic flow at the interchange of Highway 156 and Highway 101. Our core market visitors must use Highway 156 traveling to and from the Peninsula. Congestion over the last few years has gotten truly awful and acts as a powerful disincentive to visitors, who have other choices of destinations within the same driving distance. Those projects are included in the TAMC list to be funded if Measure A passes.

Polling and other research data indicates Measure A has a good chance of success. But getting the required two thirds vote approval is contingent on getting strong support on the Peninsula! MCHA has stepped up and contributed $10,000 to Measure A. All MCHA members must take personal responsibility to encourage all of their friends and business associates to VOTE YES on Measure A! Those who can are encouraged to contribute money to the campaign to pass Measure A. Contact Executive Director Bonnie Adams (626-8636 or info@mcha.net) or Government Affairs Director Bob McKenzie (642-9809 or bobmck@mbay.net) for directions for contributions.

For those of you that want more information can attend a Scoping Information Meeting/Open House on the Route 156 West Corridor Project on April 26th from 4 – 8pm at the North Monterey County High School. The presentation will be about 6:00.

We’re close to getting a new Monterey County General Plan – no, really!!!
The Monterey County Board of Supervisors have finished giving general plan policy direction to staff and staff has almost completed the job of preparing the fourth and final draft of a new county plan. You can access what’s finished of the draft plan (nearly all of it), the various area plans, and related general plan maps at http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/pbi/gpu/default.htm.

The Government Affairs Committee will be following the progress of this fourth and final version of the new plan to make sure it contains policies that allow for the continued vitality and viability of the hospitality industry.

Get involved in issues critical to business vitality and viability!!!
The Government Affairs Committee tracks issues critical to the near- and long-term viability and vitality of our businesses and our communities and works hard to assure policies and implemented at the local level are consistent with that goal. Plan to attend a Government Affairs meeting and learn how you can be involved influencing issues of vital concern to our industry and business and community interests generally.

Government Affairs meets the first Thursday of each month at 8:30 am alternating between Embassy Suites in Seaside and the Beach and Tennis Club at Pebble Beach. Once in a while the meeting is rescheduled to a different Thursday to avoid conflicts, so contact Government Affairs Director Bob McKenzie (bobmck@mbay.net or 642-9809) or MCHA Executive Director Bonnie Adams (info@mcha.net or 626-8636) to be sure of the next meeting date and location (or check the MCHA website, where meeting notices and agendas are posted: http://www.mcha.net).
 

MCHA Education and Training

The Education Committee is finishing this Spring's schedule with a bang. We had a very successful Wine Seminar in conjunction with the Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association on March 21st. On April 19th we have two experts on ADA compliance, Dr. Susan Osorio and Mr. Kim Blackseth, leading a seminar on "Disability Protocol". Then on May 23rd Dr. Bill Martin comes back again to do his highly acclaimed seminar "Customer Service: Tips and Hints for Service Provider Success."

On tap for the Fall are seminars on Work Place Safety, Beer and Food Pairing, our annual Labor Law update, and Serving Alcohol Safely.

We hope to see you and your employees at our valuable seminars!
 

MCHA POA Committee
Power of Association

News

Chidlaw Boosts MCHA/MCCVB Membership Efforts

Chris Chidlaw has joined the Monterey County Hospitality Association and the Monterey County CVB in a new outside membership sales capacity. Selling joint membership to the two organizations, Chidlaw will help more local businesses take advantage of the advocacy and educational outreach provided by the MCHA as well as the bureau’s marketing and sales efforts. Prior to his new position, Chidlaw was station manager and sales manager for KION/KCBA Television. Potential members can reach Chris at chidlawmarketing@comcast.net.

MCHA 2006 Annual Dinner

Ahoy thar maties….what a party! Lost Treasures of Cannery Row was truly a pirates delight! This year’s committee out did themselves, from the decorations to the auction items. The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa staff was, as usual, the most wonderful and gracious folks ever.

Gary Cursio and Ken Lofink really put their team to work…I have never seen so many auction items at one of our dinners. Thanks to you and all that worked with you on the auction.

The decorations were magnificent….pirate boat and all! Thank you to Marci Bracco, Monterra/Tehama Realty, Floral Designs by Reina and Illusions of Grandeur for pulling it all together. Big thanks to Gerard Mattimoe of Glastonbury, Inc. for the fabulous lighting and the plasma screen that announced our wonderful sponsors…Gerard is always there to lend a helping hand with lighting and audio/visual. The Monterey Plaza staff even got in the swing of it all and were helped dressed as pirates by Ruth Wilson and Cherie Davis.

There was enough “grog” to float the boat! Big thanks to Daniel Bamberger at Southern Wine & Spirits for the champagne and the rum infusion bar and Ken Rauh from A Taste of Monterey for the wine bar and making arrangements to have spectacular Monterey County wines served with our dinner.

Everyone enjoyed dancing to the Mike Marrotta, Jr. Band, yes…everybody danced! The Hospitality Professional of the Year was awarded to a well deserving member, Bob Lippi, Bob the Printer. Congratulations Bob!

Thank you to our sponsors: Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, Cannery Row Company, Restaurants Central, Southern Wine & Spirits, Inns of Monterey, Chateau Julien, First National Bank, Hilton Monterey, Monterra Ranch Properties, Pebble Beach Company, Hyatt Regency Monterey and Embassy Suites.

Thank you to the wineries that donated wine for dinner: Lockwood Vineyards, Meador Estate, Chateau Julien Wine Estate, Bernardus Winery and Paraiso Vineyards.

2006 Annual Dinner Committee: Gary Cursio and Ken Lofink, auction co-chairs; Marietta Bain, Fandango Restaurant, Craig Banuelos, PG&E, Marci Bracco, Monterra Realty, Lavonne Chin, Monterey County Parks, Carol Chorbajian, CCME, Heather Cunha, Embassy Suites, Tiffany D’Epiro, Embassy Suites, Cherie Davis, Hilton Monterey, Gerard Mattimoe, Glastonbury, Gloria McPherson, Resort II Me, Baird Pittman, Associated Hosts, Ken Rauh, A Taste of Monterey, Ruth Wilson, Asilomar Conference Grounds, MCHA Executive Director, Bonnie Adams, and President Mike Bekker.
 

Events

Employee Appreciation Day:
Start getting your teams ready for this fun filled day of friendly competition on June 6th at the Monterey Fairgrounds. More information to come!

Nick Lombardo Memorial Golf Tournament:
Don’t miss this great event on October 18 at Del Monte Golf Course. It’s a sell out each year so register early! More information to come!

Hospitality Recognition Lunch:
Mark Your Calendars for the largest Employee Recognition Event of the Year! Join us October 31st at the Monterey Conference Center as we recognize those special employees from 2006!
 

Calendar of Events

Also, don’t forget to check our Website for information about upcoming events! www.mcha.net