Stay up to date on local happenings for the ultimate guest experience

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 […]

Following is an ongoing list for Human Resource reference, recommended by MCHA membership and updated by our Training & Development Committee. Please email info@mcha.net with additional resources or areas of interest. Sexual HarassmentCalifornia Department of Fair Employment California law requires all employers of 5 or more employees to provide training to its supervisory and non-supervisory […]

During this month’s primaries and the November 2022 general election, voters will help determine Monterey County’s future. Choosing leaders who understand the local landscape matters more than ever, with major issues like water, affordable housing, transportation and budgets at stake.

(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 […]

Monterey, CA. – The City of Monterey has been working to fulfill a state-mandated regional housing needs assessment (RHNA) that assigned Monterey 3,654 housing units (1,177 very low income, 769 low income, 462 moderate-income, and 1,246 market rate), and to place this housing closer to jobs as well as address equity metrics, all within a […]

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 recognizes one local student annually with a scholarship opportunity to study Hospitality and Tourism.  "I am entering my senior year at San Jose State University studying Hospitality, Tourism, & Event Management. My grandfather was a successful hotel general manager for over 50 years. He instilled in me that to be successful in hospitality I “must have […]

We’re hardly surprised to report that even during this covid-19 crisis, water politics on the Monterey Peninsula have not taken a break. On Monday, April 27, the board of the regional sewer agency, Monterey One Water, met to discuss whether to certify and Environmental Impact Report for the expansion of Pure Water Monterey.

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.