Summer 2026

222 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 6 ~ THE P EN I NS U L A S C ENE ~ MCHA Annual Gala Ken Donkersloot, Mona Calis, Charles Chrietzberg Photos by Kelli Uldall F ifty-one years after local hospitality leaders united to champion Monterey County tourism, the Monterey County Hospitality Association (MCHA) gathered for its 2026 Annual Awards Gala at the Hyatt Regency Monterey.The event honored Alan Perlmutter of Big Sur River Inn and Rod Schinnerer of Pebble Beach Company before nearly 400 guests, raising funds to support the region’s hospitality workforce and industry. Bella & Bert Cutino Mel & Robyn Harder, Gill Campbell Teddy Balestreri, Nanci & Bill Perocchi, Ted Balestreri Rod & Maggie Schinnerer, Andrew Lauer Paige Viren, Tyller Williamson, Jazmin Lopez, Colleen Courtney Hartmut Ott, Dana Drews, Kevin Ellis Marietta Bain, Carol Chorbajian Kristin Horton, Kim England, Hollie Jo Jackson, Monique Bindel Phyllis Grillo, Joe Sweeney III John Narigi, Jimmy Panetta Stacey Lee, Tim McGregor, Stephanie Fife, Duchess Baird, Sue Dreyer, Liz Larroque, Christine Arroyo, Steve Battis John Turner, Kirsten Masters Clay Larson, Penny Morris Nancy Sanders, Alan Perlmutter, Leon & Sylvia Panetta Photos: Kelli Uldall