| Sacramento, CA - May 3, 1999 - California Lodging Industry
Association President Robert Griffin recently announced the appointment
of California travel industry veteran Rick Lawrance to serve as CLIA Executive
Vice President/Chief Executive Officer. Lawrance joined the Sacramento-based
hotelier and innkeeper association on May 1.
Lawrance began his career in tourism in 1972, as Director of Tour Development
for the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau. In 1975, he accepted
the position of Executive Director for the Buena Park, Calif. Visitor and
Convention Bureau, and in 1978 was appointed by California Governor Edmund
G. Brown, Jr. to re-establish the previously defunct State Tourism Office,
and he served as director until 1981. He also headed a marketing representation
and consulting company. From 1988 to 1995, Lawrance held the position of
Executive Vice President/CEO of the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
and Visitors & Convention Bureau. Lawrance also served as Vice President
of Sales and Marketing for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention &
Visitors Bureau.
Lawrance holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Rider University
in
Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and has pursued graduate studies at the
University of Maryland in Public Administration and at the University of
California, Los Angeles in Finance.
His professional memberships include the American Society of Association
Executives, International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus,
and Rotary International. He is a past president of the California Travel
Industry Association.
CLIA, since its inception in 1946, has served as a major
voice for the independent lodging industry when group action has been needed,
especially important when lobbying industry views before government agencies.
In addition, the Association is continually aware of the need to provide
programs and services required by members to more effectively and profitably
operate their businesses.
In order to accomplish these goals, a small group of motel
owners first formed the Motor Hotel Association of California, later to
become known as the California Motel Association, as a non-profit trade
organization. First based in Los Angeles, the Association began as individual
chapters throughout the state under the "parent" association. According
to past records, the chapters grew in numbers and activities. At the October
1983 Annual Convention, the membership approved a change of name to the
"California Lodging Industry Association" in order to more properly reflect
current industry trends and image.
Some years ago, realizing the need to be "closer to the
action," CLIA moved to Sacramento. Now the Association could become more
actively involved in representing its members to the State Legislature.
Over the years CLIA legislative advocates have worked diligently to enact
laws that protect the industry from unscrupulous operators and those who
would knowingly defraud innkeepers. Sections 537 & 602(r) of the penal
codes, CLIA-supported statutes, deal with this subject.
CLIA has become increasingly active in seeking more effective
ways to promote travel and tourism to and within the state utilizing the
legislative process. Most notable was the passage of SB1061, the Tourism
Policy Act, which included a $5 million appropriation for generic tourism
promotion. CLIA was a lead organization in securing the 1984 legislation
and the attendant funding. |
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