Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our 2023 Annual Awards Gala and Auction. We are incredibly grateful to our members, sponsors and community for making the evening such a success. We look forward to next year!

More than 21,600 people work in Monterey County's hospitality industry, creating unforgettable experiences for the guests who make a $2.5 billion annual economic impact. And each year, the Monterey County Hospitality Association (MCHA) honors one outstanding industry member as its Hospitality Professional of the Year.  For four decades, the honor has recognized ongoing service and […]

Monterey County Hospitality Association (MCHA) will honor the Hospitality Professional of the Year on Friday, March 31st at their Annual Awards Gala at Portola Hotel & Spa. This year’s honoree, Chef Bert Cutino, CMC, Cofounder/C.O.O. of The Sardine Factory Restaurant will be recognized for his on-going service and commitment to the local hospitality industry.

Kris Markus launched Illusions of Grandeur, her Monterey Peninsula event design and custom rental business, 38 years ago. She’s employed several team members for 15 years or more, and one has been with the company for nearly three decades. In addition to a overseeing a full-time staff of 10, Markus engages a network of part-time […]

Congratulations to our 2022 Volunteer of the Year and HOSPY Award Winner:Marc Kelley, Private Public Strategic Solutions Pictured above with 2022 Board Chair Mark Watson and 2021 HOSPY Winner Kaitlin Ford.

Monterey County Hospitality Association - 2022 Papa Vince Award Recipient Once in a great while, tragic circumstances present us with a challenge for which we cannot prepare.  In these unthinkable moments, one of the most powerful roles a leader can play is in helping people to find their own resilience and building a culture of encouragement.  That […]

Congratulations to our Hospitality Recognition Lunch Award Recipients! PAPA VINCE AWARD Miguel Lopez - Bernardus Lodge & Spa FOCUS ON GUEST EXPERIENCE Miguel Lopez - Bernardus Lodge & Spa Rocio Diaz - Inns-by-the-Sea, Candle Light Inn Nick Subedi - Coastal Roots Hospitality, Tarpy’s Roadhouse Jay Holland - Monterey Bay Aquarium HEART OF THE HOUSE Donaji […]

The Monterey County Hospitality Association, the organization that serves the industry including hotels, inns, restaurants, visitor attractions, and hospitality-related businesses, has launched an updated website and unveiled a new logo. (www.mcha.net) The Monterey County Hospitality Association has rolled out an updated website and new logo “to better serve the local hospitality industry and MCHA members,” […]

Prior to 1975, there were two organizations on the Monterey Peninsula – a hotel/motel society and a restaurant association. In June of 1975, the Monterey Peninsula Restaurant Owner’s Association dissolved and formed a new association jointly with the hotel and motel owners. The hotel owners took similar action and the new Monterey Peninsula Hotel Restaurant […]

(Monterey, CA) – The Monterey County Hospitality Association (MCHA) will honor two Hospitality Professionals of the Year on Friday, April 8th at their Annual Awards Gala, Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa. The 2020 award will be presented to Teddy Balestreri, Executive Vice President of Hospitality Operations and Community Relations, Cannery Row Company, followed by the […]

Andrea Ferrara joined the Embassy Suites by Hilton Monterey Bay Seaside in 2009. She viewed her new front desk job as a temporary post-college stop, but six months later, the hotel offered her a group rooms coordinator position. Ferrara enjoyed the work, and more promotions followed. Within five years, she became the property’s director of sales and events.

Oct. 4, 2021 (Monterey, Calif.) – The Monterey County Hospitality Association (MCHA) is pleased to announce Kristin Horton of Solterra Strategies as its new Executive Director. The transition comes after current Executive Director, Bonnie Adams, announced she is stepping down Oct. 31 after over twenty-two years with the organization. Horton and the Solterra Strategies team […]

MCHA to Honor the 2019 Hospitality Professional of the Year Tony Salameh, Owner of Anton & Michel Restaurant, Carmel and will present a Lifetime Achievement Award in Memory of Ben Pon, Founder, Owner, Developer and Visionar of Bernardus Winery, Bernardus Lodge & Spa and Will’s Fargo.

MCHA to Honor the 2017 Hospitality Professional of the Year Chris Shake, CEO, Shake Enterprises and present a Lifetime Achievement Award honoring Pierre Bain, Owner, Fandango Restaurant

MCHA to Honor the 2015 Hospitality Professional of the Year Janine Chicourrat, General Manager, Portola Hotel & Spa and present a
Lifetime Achievement Award honoring former President and Golf Professional of Quail Lodge to William Lawson Little III.