CHLA January February 2021

2 CALIFORNIA LODGING NEWS 414 29th Street Sacramento, CA 95816 916-444-5780 www.calodging.com EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR Bijal Patel, CHA Coast Redwood Hospitality VICE CHAIR Tom Patton, CHA Ramada Santa Barbara IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Michael Pace InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel SECRETARY/TREASURER Hee-Won Lim Pacific Palms Hotel GOVERNMENT & LEGAL RELATIONS CHAIR Javier Cano JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE AUDIT & INVESTMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR Laurenne Douglas Pacific Plaza Hotels, Inc. 2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bhupen Amin Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Javier Cano JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE Vipul Dayal Days Inn San Francisco Airport West Laurenne Douglas Pacific Plaza Hotels, Inc. Jeff Durham Redwood Fortuna Riverwalk Hotel Paul Gibbs, CHA Sonesta Redondo Beach and Marina Ross Gimpel Encore Terri Haack Terranea Resort Jon Handlery, CHA Handlery Union Square Hotel Niles Harris InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown Wendy Heineke Pebblebrook Hotel Trusts Todd Hersperger Sunstone Hotel Investors Nic Hockman Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel Daniel Kuperschmid Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego Elvin Lai Ocean Park Inn Mark LeBlanc Aimbridge Hospitality Hee Won Lim Pacific Palms Resort RJ Mayer The Mayer Corporation Michelle Millar University of San Francisco Michael Pace InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel Bijal Patel, CHA Coast Redwood Hospitality Bimal Patel, CHA Hotel Zico Dhruv Patel Ridgemont Hospitality Pragna Patel-Mueller Samata Management Tom Patton, CHA Ramada Santa Barbara Joe Piantedosi Park Hotels & Resorts Chip Rogers American Hotel and Lodging Assn. Pam Ryan The Inn at the Mission John Spear Hotel Drisco Cecil P. Staton AAHOA Jeffrey Thurrell Fisher Phillips Wes Tyler, CHA Chancellor Hotel on Union Square Scott VandenBerg Hyatt Regency Sacramento Bobby Walia Hyatt Hotels Corporation ADVERTISING & DESIGN LLM Publications 503-445-2220 | 800-647-1511 www.LLMpubs.com Design & Layout Sales Representative Stephanie Pendell Grandt Mansfield grandt@llmpubs.com Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved Hotels are like families and, as we’ve seen over the past months, it can be difficult to be away. More than most other industries, the pandemic has affected the hospitality industry not just financially, but it has also strained the close ties that make our hotels so unique. Despite these changes, our industry is persevering and demonstrating commitment not just to our own families, but to our communities. As a whole, our industry has shown remarkable resolve to do the right thing, follow the law (despite the difficulties they may sometimes present), and protect others. Because you have shown that the hospitality industry is willing to step up during a time of crisis, travelers, officials, and Californians across the state are taking note. In the past year, we have won battles that would have otherwise been insurmountable, formed and strengthened ties with communities that have the potential to usher in a brighter future for our industry, and shown that we are a community willing to unite around a common cause. As we start the new year, it’s important to remember that as teams with ties sometimes closer than families we should look out and support one another. Last year was unprecedented, with over one in four hotel owners struggling to pay mortgages, industry missed-mortgage-payment-rates reaching nearly 50%, and a redefined guest expectation. This year, we look to the future. At least two COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and are being distributed, millions of people are ready to go on trips delayed or cancelled in 2020, and hotels are more prepared than ever to ensure clean + safe stays once permitted to re-open. Though this winter is dark and the recovery will be long, summer is coming and there is a light at the end of this tunnel. This edition of the Lodging News magazine ushers in a new year, and with it, I expect, a brighter future for our industry. There will be struggles, but in 2020, we proved that we have the determination it takes to succeed. Be well, stay safe, and happy belated holidays.  Celebrate Our Families, Look to the New Year We’re Almost There MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO Lynn Mohrfeld CHLA President & CEO