Industry Awards

Industry recognition, scholarships and collaboration – community connection is key to our success as an industry.

Employee & Hospitality Recognition

Employee Appreciation Day

A fun filled afternoon, geared towards family and friendly competitions annually at the Monterey Fairgrounds.

Hospitality Recognition Lunch & Papa Vince Award

Our annual awards program is designed to recognize all outstanding people working in the hospitality industry who perform beyond expectations. Nominations are open to the employees of any business that is a member of MCHA, including “Excellence in Hospitality,” “Special Achievement,” and ultimate “Papa Vince Award.”

2023 Award Winners

Employees are the most important people in our industry. Every year, as many as 700 people help us honor hotel and restaurant employees with the Papa Vince Award and other awards for hospitality professionals who provide outstanding service.

Ted Balestreri

Cannery Row Company

Chairman and CEO and founding MHCA member
These restaurant servers, cooks, hotel housekeepers, clerks, golf course groundskeepers, winery workers, spa professionals and others are the friends and neighbors who make our community more vibrant all year long. They’re also the face of an industry that drives the local economy – and their hard work contributes to a better quality of life for all Monterey County residents.

Marion Abaunza

Hilton Garden Inn
Hospitality employees keep Monterey County’s second-largest industry going strong. Tourism generates millions of dollars in tax revenues a year, and that money directly benefits local residents. The tax dollars help pay for police and fire services, road repairs, park projects and other amenities that we all enjoy and appreciate.

Vicki Tackett

Folder Display Service

Lifetime Achievement Award

Honoring those that have made a lifetime of significant contributions and positive influence on hospitality community, including stories that inspire others to higher standards in respective careers or community awareness.

2024

William Perocchi, Pebble Beach Company

2018

Pierre Bain, Fandango Restaurant

2016

William Lawson Little III, Quail Lodge & Golf Club

Hospitality Professional of the Year Award

First awarded in 1983 to Cannery Row Co-Founder, Ted Balestreri, the Nomination for the Hospitality Professional of the Year award is awarded for individual’s on-going service to the local hospitality industry.

2024 Hospitality Professional of the Year Award

Mark Watson, Inns-by-the-Sea

See Past Recipients

Volunteer of the Year Award

“The Hospy”: MCHA Volunteer of the Year Award
“The Hospy” : MCHA Volunteer Business of the Year Award

Recognized and awarded to a member in good standing, for their dedication and tireless effort in supporting the mission of MCHA, enthusiastically and actively participating in various events and committees.

2023 Volunteer Of The Year

Congratulations to MCHA 2023 HOSPY Award Winner — Marion Abaunza, Hilton Garden Inn. Thank you for all you do, Marion!

Advocacy Honoree

Established in 2023, the Advocacy Honoree award is presented to an individual periodically, for effort, work and
overall commitment to current advocacy policies or programs that benefit the vitality of industry.

2023 Advocacy Honoree

Congratulations to MCHA 2023 Advocacy Honoree — Mike Zimmerman, Cannery Row Company. Thank you for all your work, Mike!

A thank you from the MCHA to the hospitality workers of Monterey.

Community Program News

Partners

MCHA is proud to partner with the following organizations and sponsors.

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