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.