NorCal's Biggest and Best Lodging Expo

November 9, 2017

California Lodging Expo® and Conference, northern California's biggest and best lodging trade show had a great turnout at the Hilton Concord on November 6, 2017.

The trade show floor was packed, attendees flocked to fascinating presentations and a good time was had by all.

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What are people saying about the Expo?

"I enjoyed all the sessions, good stuff." G.H., Attendee

"This was my first time attending this show as a vendor and was amazed at the great turn out." J.D., Exhibitor

"Awesome job with the Lodging Expo!" S.P., Attendee

"The show was fantastic." E.M. Exhibitor

"Very nicely done." W.B. Attendee

"The presentations were very worthwhile, I learned a lot." D.B. Attendee

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"Legal Jeoparody—Transgender and in the Weeds in California”

An interactive game focusing on the transgender and cannabis laws in California, a big hit at the Expo.

Play Jeoparody

Excellence Award Winners Acknowledged at the Lodging Expo

Excellence in Lodging and Hospitality Award for Outstanding Lodging Staff Person

Nicole Moore of the Seacrest OceanFront Hotel won the Outstanding Lodging Staff Person Award for innovative employee training and communications programs including an English class for non-English speaking employees.

Excellence in Lodging and Hospitality Award for Outstanding Construction and Refurbishment

The Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey won the Outstanding Construction and Refurbishment Award in recognition of their lobby, bar and restaurant renovation which honors the Monterey coast.

Scholarship Award Winners Recognized at the Lodging Expo

Six named scholarships were presented to deserving recipients at the Lodging Expo. All told moving stories of their efforts to better their lives and that of their families. Two are single mothers, two are the first in their family to go to college. One student works full time while achieving a 4.0 GPA at Gonzaga University as a graduate student.

"It is so expensive to attend college now. Our scholarship donors are pleased to assist these deserving students reach their goals. Especially since they are going to be professionals that our industry so desperately needs" states David Bowman of Amber Hotel Company, Scholarship chair and incoming CLIA President.

Elizabeth Zamudio, Scholarship Winner and Family

Dominique Wainwright, California State University East Bay - Amber Hotel Company Scholarship Winner

Elizabeth Zamudio, California State University East Bay - Brighton Management Scholarship Winner

Emily Peyton, California State Polytechnic University Pomona / Collins College - The Passport Group Scholarship Winner

Han Tran, San Francisco State University - Marin Management Inc. Scholarship Winner

Jacquelyn Olsen, Gonzaga University Grad Student - Central Coast of California Hospitality Scholarship Winner

Yeraz Benlian, California State Polytechnic University Pomona / Collins College - Shahir Hanna/Principal Financial Group Scholarship Winner

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Dollars for Scholars Inspires New Donors at the Lodging Expo

Watching hopeful, young hospitality students receive their scholarships at the Scholarship Awards Ceremony at the Lodging Expo was a truly heart warming experience for attendees. The family of one recipient was so proud of their mom; that Dad, Uncle and all four children came to see their mother's achievement acknowledged.

Several new donors immediately stepped up to the plate and pledged their contribution:

Anne LeCLair, President of San Mateo County/Silicon Valley CVB became a Silver Sponsor

Tillie Ross, Vice President of Fidelity National Title Company pledged a Gold Sponsorship

Shahir Hanna, Senior Estate Planner of Principal Financial Group pledged another Named Scholarship

The most exciting event occurred at the closing of the event when Mitch Miller, of Miller Law Group won the $1,000 cash prize. He immediately handed it over to David Bowman, incoming CLIA President and Scholarship Committee Chair as a donation to CLIA Dollars for Scholars. What a guy!

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