Southern Arizona
Lodging & Resort Association

NEWSLETTER                                                                        www.salara.org
In This Issue
Board of DIrectors
OFFICERS

CHAIR
Charles Wetegrove
Hotel Tucson City Center Innsuites

VICE CHAIR
Helinda Lizarraga
Focus Hospitality Management

SECRETARY
George White
Lodge at Ventana Canyon

TREASURER
Mark VanBuren
Marriott University Park

DIRECTORS

Russell Bond
J.W. Marriott Starr
Pass Resort & Spa

Lynn Ericksen
Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort

Tom Firth
Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort

Ahmad Ghemrawi
Miraval Resort & Spa

Derek McCann
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort

Mike Kass
Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain

John Rinella
DoubleTree by Hilton - Reid Park

David Yamada
Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa

LIAISONS

ALLIED MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE
Kevin Boyle
Shamrock Food Company

ATTRACTIONS REPRESENTATIVE
Tom Moulton
Pima County Attractions

NAU/PCC REPRESENTATIVE
Armando Trujillo
NW Campus 

TUCSON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
David Hatfield

VISIT TUCSON
Brent DeRaad

ARIZONA LODGING & TOURISM ASSOCIATION
Debbie Johnson

EMERITI
 
Joe Armbrust

Schuyler Lininger Poets Corner Properties

Tom Tracy
 The Lodging Company

Guy Stickney
Wizardy Events

June 2014
Message from the Charles Wetegrove, SALARA Chair

We are excited to announce the positive reorganization of SALARA! During the recent transition, we lost several GM's and Board members all at once due to out of state career opportunities. Never in our history have we seen such a turnover. The good news is that most, if not all, went on to equal or better opportunities. We wish our colleagues the best in their endeavors.

 

As a SALARA member since 2010 and 2013-2014 Treasurer, I agreed to assume the Presidency after losing our current President to an opportunity in Denver. I would like to personally thank the other members (especially the officers) Helinda Lizarraga, George White and Mark Van Buren who stepped up to assist in the reorganization of SALARA.

 

Together with the Board of Directors, we retooled the 2014 calendar with industry relevant programs and events. You can refer to the new calendar in this newsletter.

 

Our next SALARA meeting is July 9, 2014 with a Board meeting immediately prior to the Association meeting. We are excited to announce that Mayor Jonathan Rothschild will speak on one of his "T's" for Tucson, Tourism. We hope to have a large turnout for the Mayor.

 

The annual golf tournament is set at the Hilton El Conquistador on September 26th with a morning shotgun start. The SALARA Hospitality Industry Trade Show is set for August 20th following the Board retreat at the Westin La Paloma and Hospitality Career Day is set for November 25, 2014. We are still in need of additional committee volunteers for all of these events and we look forward to hearing from you. 

 

I am honored and excited to lead the organization for 2014 as we have fantastic events planned. As always we need the support and commitment of every member. I truly hope to see many of you during the year.

 

Invest in our future - Support SALARA!

 

Charles Wetegrove, SALARA Chair

General Manager,  Hotel Tucson City Center InnSuites Conference Suite Resort  

 

Meetings & Events
SALARA Member Luncheon      
July 9, 2014

 

City of Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild

 

Five T's of Tucson including TOURISM

 

Since taking office in 2012, Mayor Rothschild's vision for Tucson hasn't changed - a city where people want to stay, and can stay.  Want to stay for quality of life.  Can stay for opportunity - in a word, jobs.  Similar to the Five C's (cattle, citrus, copper, cotton and climate) of Arizona learned about in school, the Mayor recently released a 2-year plan focusing on the Five T's as a way to create jobs for Tucsonans.  Today's Five T's of Tucson include: technology, trade, transportation, tourism and teaching.  On tourism, the City of Tucson will work with Visit Tucson and other partners in areas where Tucson is strong - such as youth, international and amateur sports, outdoor recreation, festivals and an emerging revitalized downtown.  Join SALARA and find out more about Mayor Rothschild's vision for achieving his goals. 

 

REGISTER HERE 

Governor's Conference on Tourism

The tourism industry is a thriving source of Arizona's economy. Each year travel professionals come together to learn from tourism experts and take advantage of the latest information, products and services which enhance travel in Arizona.   

 

The 2014 Arizona Governor's Conference on Tourism will take place July 16-18 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel in Phoenix. 

   


SALARA Hospitality Industry Tradeshow and Reception
 
The 2nd Annual SALARA Hospitality Tradeshow and Reception will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa ! 
 
Plan to participate!  Check out a variety of hospitality industry vendors all in one place! 
 
FOOD - FUN - NETWORKING
Hosted Refreshments - Cash Bar in Tradeshow Area
  
EXHIBITOR Registration - OPEN to SALARA Allied Members AND Non-Members.
 
ATTENDEE Registration - FREE to Attend for all Hospitality Industry Hotel & Lodging Professionals! 
golf_event3.jpg
SAVE THE DATE
for the
2014 SALARA Golf Tournament Fund Raiser
 
The 2014 SALARA Golf Fund Raiser will be held on September 26, 2014 at the Hilton El Conquistador Country Club 

If you would like to receive information about sponsorships and team entry when it becomes available - please e-mail [email protected]  to add your name to the SALARA GOLF TOURNAMENT mailing list.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The Southern Arizona Lodging & Resort Association will award a scholarship to an individual interested in a career in the hospitality industry and will provide financial assistance throughout his/her educational career set forth by the criteria and guidelines below.
  
CRITERIA
The scholarships are to be awarded to employees of member properties (dues must be current) that meet the following criteria:
  
a. Have a minimum tenure of one year at the member property.
  
b. Have a mentoring commitment from the General Manager.
  
1. General Manager or immediate supervisor (with GM approval) agrees to nurture the recipient's career by exposing him/her to all aspects of a hotel environment and cooperating in class scheduling.
  
2. General Manager will bring recipient to a SALARA luncheon once every semester.
  
c. Students must interview with a member of the Board of Directors to be considered for eligibility. The information gathered during the interview process will then be shared with the Board for approval.
  
d. The student must have an educational plan with a curriculum aimed at receiving a college degree from Pima Community College or Northern Arizona University in the hospitality field. The educational plan must be submitted during the interview. This plan must come from a counselor at either Pima Community College or Northern Arizona University. The plan must include the current hours achieved with grades and those necessary for degree completion.
  
e. Approval into the program will be based on the student's financial need. This need will be qualified based on questions asked during the interview.
  
f. Only one person from the property may be in the program at any given time.
  
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2014 CALENDAR

 

July 9, 2014

 

10:00 a.m. - DoubleTree by Hilton - Reid Park


11:30 a.m. - SALARA Member Luncheon at DoubleTree by Hilton - Reid Park

 

July 16-18, 2014  

 

Governor's Conference on  Tourism - for more info: www.aztourismconference.com 

 

August 20, 2014 

 

10:00 a.m. - SALARA Board Planning Retreat at the Westin La Paloma including lunch 

 

3:00 p.m. - SALARA Industry Tradeshow & Reception at the Westin La Paloma

 

September 26, 2014  

 

Morning Shotgun - Annual SALARA Golf Tournament Fund Raiser at Hilton El Conquistador Country Club

 

1:00 p.m. (est.) - Tournament Awards Presentation / Luncheon immediately following tournament

 

October 8, 2014 

 

10:00 a.m. SALARA Board meeting at Embassy Suites Tucson La Paloma


11:30 a.m.  ASSOCIATION / ANNUAL Meeting at Embassy Suites Tucson La Paloma

 

November 25, 2014

location to be confirmed 

 

All Day -  SALARA Hospitality Career Day


10:00 a.m. - SALARA Board meeting


12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. SALARA Member Luncheon with participating Hospitality Career Students

 

December 18, 2014 

 

4:30 p.m. - SALARA Holiday Reception at the Tucson Marriott University

  
CONTACT SALARA
Southern Arizona Lodging & Resort Association
660 S Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ  85716

520-207-9931 
 

STAFF

Executive Director
Brent L. Davis
 
Asst Executive Director
Cathy (Catt) Wagner

Member Relations / Event Sponsorships
Gretchen Hawkins

Accounting
Nicole Maza


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