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 Presidents
Message
Janine Chicourrat, Portola Hotel & Spa
It is hard to believe 2011 is just
past the
mid-year mark. MCHA has been extremely active this year with several hot topics
keeping us very busy. Our biggest challenge continues to be water and the
December 31, 2016 deadline set for us to solve our water issues or face a cease and
desist order which would be devastating to our industry.
Through the leadership of John Narigi and Mike Zimmerman, we have successfully
created the MCHA’s Coalition of Peninsula Businesses and an issues PAC. This new
alliance will be critical to ensure our best interests are being properly
communicated and acted upon at a critical time to once and for all solve our
water problems.
There is new life and leadership for the support of widening Hwy. 156 and
progress in solving our longstanding taxi issues. Progress is being made with
both the Monterey Conference Center and downtown Monterey. New businesses are
moving in and a plan to build a “San Francisco Ferry Building” experience in the
open lot on Alvarado Street shows great promise. As the plan to remodel the
Conference Center continues to be refined, we will need to continue to support
this long overdue remodel in order to help make us competitive in a state where
other cities have invested millions of dollars in their conference centers and
downtown destinations.
As we continue to find new ways to bring more value to our organization, we
cannot forget the efforts of those who help make our traditional events a big
success. From Mia McKee and her team from the annual dinner, to Sarah Cruse,
Cathy Sampognaro and Chris Chidlaw on the education committee who coordinated
the front line employee bus tours of our destination, to Paula Calvetti and her
team for the annual Employee Appreciation Day – their countless hours and
dedication do not go unnoticed.
And a special thank you to Gary Cursio and Hunter Horvath who co-chair our
Government Affairs committee. They helped successfully recruit Bob McKenzie’s
replacement, Dale Ellis, and they continue to lead the charge on some very hot
topics which affect each and every one of us in hospitality.
As we approach the second half of the year, it is time to continue to push
forward and evolve our organization. Attending City Council, County Supervisor
or PUC meetings also needs to be our ongoing focus. As President of this
organization, I cannot thank the Board members and our Executive Director, Bonnie
Adams, enough. Our voice is being heard and our message is being communicated.
We should all be proud of our being a part of MCHA, during a difficult, yet very
exciting time in our history |
