Dear HMA Members:

Thank each of you for your confidence in electing me President of the San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association. I’d like to take this opportunity to outline where I see our Association going in the coming year and what steps I suggest we take to get there.

The two key words are INVOLVMENT and PARTICIPATION.

We need to involve ourselves in the Convention Center expansion to insure it moves forward and that we are part of the plan, both in its structure and financing. I will be recommending to the Board that Bruce Goodwin, our Convention Center ex-officio board member, head up a committee for this purpose.

We need to involve ourselves in governmental issues, both local and statewide that affect our industry. In that regard, I will be suggesting to the Board that we form a five-member committee, from our membership, to bring issues forward with suggested plans and actions.

We need to continue participating with the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau and partner with them in their efforts to promote our city and our industry. In doing so, we need to stay vigilant in regards to the Tourism Marketing District to ensure that our TMD monies are being spent effectively and appropriately.

We need to have cross representation with the California Restaurant Association San Diego Chapter and our other Industry Partners to address mutual issues.

Finally, we need to continue the great strides that have been made by Past Presidents Patrick Duffy and Mohsen Khaleghi in enhancing the reputation of the San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association as a significant organization that is effective and involved in all issues that affect our industry directly or indirectly. HMA is the voice of the hotel industry in San Diego.

Sincerely,

Jim Durbin
President
San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association