Letter to California State Senate and Assembly regarding Nacimiento and San Antonio Dams Capital Asset Management Program (CAMP) Funding.

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 […]

We are taking a portion of our auction virtual this year, please enjoy this special sneak peek.  Mark your calendar — bidding is live March 24th! Click here to register in advance.  Lot #1Pasadera Dine, Play Stay!Exclusive Package for 8   Enjoy a luxurious getaway at The Club at Pasadera. This magnificent package includes a private three-course dinner, wine pairing, private rooms at the […]

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 […]

The hospitality industry offers unexpected opportunities at every turn. Just ask Chef Bert Cutino, who earned 30 cents an hour washing dishes as a teenager.  “I didn’t know, at the time, if I would go into the culinary profession. I just knew that someday I wanted to own something,” he says. That job set Cutino […]

The MCHA Government Affairs Committee goals have been updated to reflect relevant current issues and needs of our industry, including: water, workforce housing, childcare and ongoing relationships with MCCVB and local officials/organizations. Click below for an overview of how MCHA will advocate to support the industry throughout 2023.

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 […]

Congressman Jimmy Panetta, the U.S. House of Representatives member for California’s 20th district, landed his first hospitality job in the seventh grade. Panetta rode his BMX bike to work at the Velvet Fox, a former Carmel Valley restaurant where he bussed tables. “I was a busboy until I spilled tartar sauce on a lady's dress, […]

Susanna Hoffman’s journey to a tourism degree began at Noodle Bar, in her hometown of Marina. The restaurant job she started at age 16 sparked an interest in hospitality, and she gained additional industry experience as a Monterey Bay Aquarium volunteer. Then, a high school counselor told Hoffman about hospitality and event planning courses at […]

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 […]

In a region known for vineyards and vegetable fields, only hospitality approaches the economic impact of agriculture. Monterey County recorded $2.5 billion in travel spending last year. Visitors generated $264 million in state and local taxes that paid for city services and neighborhood projects. While that’s down from a $3.24 billion impact in 2019, before […]

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,” […]

Last month, local hospitality employees enjoyed free biometric health assessments, personalized wellness coaching and nutritious snacks — including smoothies blended by bicycle power. The events were part of the first-ever Hospitality Industry Wellness Fair held at the Portola Hotel & Spa.The Monterey County Hospitality Association organized the event together with Montage Health and the Blue […]

As Monterey County reopens and businesses welcome employees back into the workplace, commuters can take advantage of new incentives to further help reduce the high costs related to their commute. Realizing that existing public transit alternatives do not always meet the work commute needs of everyone in Monterey County, MST, in partnership with Commute with […]