Dear SDCLA Colleague,
The strength of the San Diego County Lodging Association is our mission of educating and advocating on behalf of our members and their employees.
The global pandemic and its economic impact crystallized the importance of the association’s efforts. The past two years have been filled with uncertainty as we addressed necessary, but complicated health and safety regulations, concerning legislative proposals and the well-being of our colleagues. It reminded us that fulfilling our mission – to educate and to advocate – was paramount for our individual and collective success.
Earlier this summer, the board of directors began a review process of how SDCLA could better meet the challenges our members face as they recover from the pandemic and as they address long-term needs. We solicited proposals from a number of organizations to manage SDCLA and fulfill these objectives. After a rigorous and thoughtful review, we’re proud to announce that the California Hotel and Lodging Association will be managing SDCLA effective September 1, 2021.
Many of you already are familiar with CHLA and its President and CEO Lynn Mohrfeld, who happens to have deep roots in San Diego. CHLA is the leading state hotel association and is a terrific resource and strong advocate for California’s more than 6,000 hotels, motels and boutique inns. During the coming months, CHLA will begin to implement their plan to bolster SDCLA’s role and presence with members and with the community.
We are fortunate to have found such a strong and informed ally in CHLA. We equally are fortunate to have had the guiding hand of Namara Mercer as the Executive Director for the past 16 years. The foundation she’s built allows SDCLA to take this next step and I personally want to thank Namara for all the help she’s provided me, the board and greater San Diego.
I also want to thank the leadership of SDCLA, who provided a guiding hand during this process, especially the task force members and the Board of Directors.
We plan to introduce Lynn and members of the CHLA team early in September at the Membership Reception on September 9th, which I’m proud to host at Hotel Solamar from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.
SDCLA, our hotels and our employees have such a bright future and, with CHLA’s strong support, we’re confident we’ll achieve it.
Best,
Dania Duke, President