Advocacy / Government Affairs
- Continued to monitor the progress being made by Cal Am on completing the conditions of approval required by the Coastal Commission before issuing the final Coastal development permit. Cal Am is projecting 2025 for the start of construction.
- Successfully assisted See Monterey in securing approval for an increase in TID funding, including meetings with both County and City Officials.
- Gave testimony at multiple County and City of Monterey meetings and workshops studying the ability, or lack of, to meet state-mandated Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) as related to Hospitality.
- Assisted in filling vacant Tourism seat on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council.
- Successfully supported and endorsed both TAMC and MST transportation initiatives.
- Successfully supported and endorsed Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto and other candidates.
- Continued tradition of having a wide variety of relevant guest speakers at monthly GAC meetings.
- Represented the industry via Hospitality-designated seats on the following Boards and Advisory Committees: See Monterey – Advisory Board and Community Relations Committee, Coalition of Peninsula Businesses, HART Collective, TAMC – Measure S, Monterey Bay Action Committee, Monterey Bay Business PAC, Monterey Peninsula College Culinary and Hospitality Program Advisory Council, Monterey County Business Council, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, Economic Development Committee
- Launched a reciprocal partnership with the California Restaurant Association in support of their definitive voice of the California foodservice industry.
- Provided additional letters of support for: Nacimiento and San Antonio Dams Capital Asset Management Program (CAMP) Funding; Highway 1 Elkhorn Slough Corridor Climate Resiliency Project; Monterey Regional Airport and Monterey Fuel Company US Customs Boarder and Protection Application; Continued cruise ship passenger services to the City of Monterey; Community Project Funding FY24 Program Monterey Peninsula Airport District for the acquisition of a replacement Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Vehicle; Rancho Cielo EDI Community Development Funding; Rancho Cielo Department of Labor YouthBuild; Reconnecting Salinas: Feasibility Study of Key Bicycle and Pedestrian Access Barriers Project.
Employee Recognition
- Recognized seven hospitality employees for excellence, and one supervisor at the Hospitality Recognition Lunch in front of nearly 600 industry peers.
- Recognized over 150 women in hospitality at annual Women in Leadership breakfast; Hosted 5 panelists representing MCHA membership.
- Shared individual featured stories of industry professionals in the monthly Spotlight on Hospitality Herald article.
- Highlighted MCHA property chefs and Rancho Cielo programs through Coastal Grower Magazine Spotlight article.
- Hosted Hospitality Industry Night at Monterey Bay Football Club in recognition of the industry and its employees.
- Acknowledged and honored the Association Volunteer of the Year and Professional of the Year at annual events.
Training & Development
- Launched Hospitality Leadership Alliance to grow and develop new industry leaders.
- Finalized collaboration with California Restaurant Association to offer reduced price certification programs and relief programs for MCHA members.
- Hosted Trends in Labor Law and Supervisor 101 workshops for employee development.
- Mentored a CSUMB Sustainable Hospitality Management student through senior year internship.
- Continued partnership with UServe to offer discounts to MCHA membership on ABC certification.
- Supported Hospitality Job Fair in partnership with CSUMB, discounted for MCHA members.
- Opened Rancho Cielo Job Fair to local high school and college students.
- Partnered with CSUMB and MPC Hospitality Programs to promote and encourage student and employee participation.
- Continued work with Marina High School CTE programs to support students interested in hospitality careers.
- Supported Monterey High School’s Culinary expansion program.
Community Outreach
- Continued representation on the MPC Culinary Advisory Board, Rancho Cielo Drummond Academy Advisory Committee and Mission Trails JPA Advisory Board as MCHA representative.
- Promoted hospitality scholarships to local Monterey County residents studying Hospitality/Tourism.
- Coordinated six chef dinners for Rancho Cielo students and executed mentorship, job shadow and job fair opportunities.
- Continued conversations with See Monterey to develop a community benefit report to showcase the industry’s impact throughout the county.
- Presented at Leadership Monterey Hospitality Day to approximately 25 community leaders.
- Supported sister-city Nanao, Japan representatives visit to Monterey.
- Partnered with Monterey Herald on the November Tourism Report, showcasing the industry and hospitality community to the Monterey County region.
Networking Opportunities
- Hosted Lodging Social for existing and potential lodging members.
- Hosted four Quarterly Lunches, featuring community leaders and programs.
- Celebrated the industry with over 500 participants at the Annual Awards Gala and Nick Lombardo Golf Tournament.
- Promoted hospitality partners though various sponsorship opportunities.
- Generated MCHA committee participation to develop programs to benefit the industry.
