ÌÇÐĶ¯Âþvlog

By Mark Muckenfuss

Making Waves, a 10th anniversary celebration of Cal State Monterey Bay’s Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism Management program, will liven up the recently opened Kimpton Mirador Hotel with gourmet food, wine, music and more on April 30. 

Paige Viren, the hospitality program’s executive director, said putting on the student-run event, which will serve as a fundraiser, has been on her mind for some time. 

“I’ve said, ‘We need an event to raise money for our students,’” Viren said. “This seemed an appropriate time – with the 10-year anniversary – for the first of what hopefully will be an annual event.”

Five local chefs, from such resorts as Post Ranch, Pebble Beach and the Kimpton, will be offering signature dishes at food stations, and local wines from I. Brand & Family, Joyce and Caraccioli wineries will be served. The trio Coastal Grooves will play jazz.

“The event is celebrating the impact we have had over the last decade,” Viren said. “Part of the goal is to raise funds to support student success.”

A silent auction during the event will feature unique experience-oriented items such as resort spa days, special restaurant offerings and a day-pass package for the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. 

Viren said the money raised from the event goes directly to students and programming.   

“We’re taking students out in the field, going to meetings and conferences where they can network,” she said. “We’re helping them to see how diverse the tourism ecosystem is. We’re helping them to earn industry-recognized certifications so they can be more competitive when they graduate. All of those things cost money.”

Many of her students have to work in order to pay for school, she said. Sometimes, just purchasing the appropriate clothing to work a local hospitality event can be a strain on their budgets.

Among the industry leaders, alumni and community members expected to attend is John Avella, founding director of the SHTM program in Fall 2015. One of the key industry figures who helped back the program was Ted Balestreri, chairman and CEO of the Cannery Row Company. ÌÇÐĶ¯Âþvlog recently announced that Balestreri will receive an honorary doctorate degree. He will be recognizeded at Making Waves with a congratulatory toast from those attending. 

In addition, ÌÇÐĶ¯Âþvlog will recognize a select group of local community and business

“sustainability champions,” honoring their leadership in advancing sustainable, responsible business practices and their dedication to inspiring the next generation of hospitality and tourism leaders.

During its first decade, Viren said, 170 students have graduated from the hospitality program, benefitting the local industry. 

“The majority of our graduates stay in the hospitality and tourism industry,” she said, “and the majority stay in the area.”

Three of those alumni – Megan Strandburg, senior catering and events manager for Portola Hotel and Spa; Sabrina Siqueiros, event specialist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium; and Lina Melchor, the Pebble Beach Scholars Program coordinator – will also be recognized during the evening. 

Looking back, Viren said, “The vision was to create a workforce to support one of our largest industries, and I think we’ve done that. For the future, we want to offer more opportunities. We want to continue to offer students those opportunities where they can be marketable and competitive when they graduate.”

Attendance at Making Waves is limited to 250 people. are still available.