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 Association (MPHRA) was born. Ted Balesteri was the first President and membership was 31 members.
In 1990, under the direction of then President Mike Cassidy, the MPHRA expanded its scope to include not just the Monterey Peninsula hotels, motels and restaurantions but rather all of Monterey County and all hospitality-related businesses. To identify with its new direction and purpose, MPHRA changed its name to the Monterey County Hospitality Association. Today, membership in MCHA is over 200 members.
