Mar. 14--John Narigi, vice president and general manager of the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa, has been named Hospitality Professional of the Year by The Monterey County Hospitality Association. 

First presented in 1983, the annual award is bestowed upon someone with notable "ongoing service to the local hospitality industry." 

Narigi has more than two decades of experience in the hotel business. 

"I am honored to be receiving the award, very honored given it's the second-largest industry in Monterey County and the people who have come before me in receiving the award," Narigi said on Wednesday. 

Since moving to the Monterey Peninsula in 1993, Narigi has been busy serving on numerous boards connected to the local tourism and hospitality industry. 

Joining the Monterey County Hospitality Association and the Monterey Peninsula Visitors and Convention Bureau boards in 1994, he was active in the division of the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and Monterey Peninsula Visitors and Convention Bureau, and was the 1995-96 president of the newly formed Monterey Peninsula Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

He also served on the board of the Monterey Commercial Property Owners Association from 1997 to 2000, as well as the Cannery Row Association from 1995 to 1998. He served as president of the Monterey County Hospitality Association from 1999 to 2001. 

"John served an unprecedented two-year term as our president," said Bonnie Adams, executive director for MCHA. "He is extremely committed to not only our organization, but to the industry and other organizations in the community as well. 

"He strengthened our association and his leadership was strong in long-range planning and in enthusiasm. He really made a mark here." 

Narigi was also recognized by The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences as one of the "Finest Hoteliers" of 2000 and 2001, while the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa received the group's Five Star Diamond Award during those same years. Narigi sits on the board for Common Ground Monterey County, representing hospitality and the MCHA executive committee, government affairs committee and political action committee. He also serves on the boards of the Monterey Wine Festival Educational Foundation and the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

"Monterey is a beautiful destination," said Adams. "And John believes in this industry." 

The award presentation to Narigi will take place at the Hospitality Association's annual dinner Saturday evening. Scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., the event will be held at The Marriott Hotel in Monterey. 

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(c) 2002, Monterey County Herald, Calif. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. MAR,