HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppointment - A.Ahluwalia - Hotel-Signature Evnts CmteCITY OF PALM DESERT
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: APPOINTMENT OF ALEX AHLUWALIA TO THE HOTEL AND
SIGNATURE EVENTS COMMITTEE TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED
TERM OF RALPH SCATENA
SUBMITTED BY: Martin Alvarez, Director of Economic Development
DATE: October 27, 2016
ATTACHMENT: Application from Alex Ahluwalia
Hotel & Signature Events Committee Bylaws
Recommendation
By Minute Motion, appoint Mr. Alex Ahluwalia of the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort
to the Hotel and Signature Events Committee, filling the unexpired term of Ralph
Scatena, through 2018.
Background
The City Council appointed Ralph Scatena to the Hotel and Signature Events
Committee at its April 24, 2014 meeting. Mr. Scatena has left the JW Marriott to take
another position, leaving a vacancy on the committee. Mr. Ahluwalia is the new general
manager for JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert. He has submitted the
Committee/Commission Application to the City Clerk's office and expressed a strong
interest in serving on this committee.
The current Hotel and Signature Events Committee by-laws state that the Committee
shall be comprised of no more than seven (7) members: two (2) representatives from
large hotels (over 100 rooms), two (2) representatives from small hotels (under 100
rooms), a representative from the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and two (2) Council
members.
Appointment of Mr. Ahluwalia would fulfill the by-laws requirement of a member
representing a large hotel. After the appointment of Mr. Ahluwalia, one vacancy
remains for a representative from a small hotel. Staff is in the process of seeking
applications to fill this vacancy.
Staff Report
Appointment of Alex Ahluwalia to the Hotel & Signature Events Committee
Page 2 of 2
October 27, 2016
Staff recommends that the City Council appoint Mr. Ahluwalia to the Hotel and
Signature Events Committee to fill the unexpired term of Ralph Scatena, through
December 2018.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Submitted by:
M in Alvarez
Director of Economic Development
Approval:
Lauri Aylaian
City Manager
Department Head:
Rudy A osta
Assistant City Manager
G \Econ DevelopmentWarun AlvarezQ016\SR\Hotel Com Appointment - Alex Ahluwaha doc
APPLICATION FOR COMMITTEE/COMMISSION SERVICE
a Public Document
CITY OF PALM DESERT
73510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, California 92260
,v. Telephone: (760) 346-0611
The Application Package for Committee/Commission Service includes this two -page personal
information form, along with Applicant Questionnaire, to be completed after attending two (2)
meetings of the Committee or Commission of your choice.
1. Indicate your preference for service on the following Committees or Commissions.
Please choose no more than three (#1 = First, #2 = Second, #3 = Third).
Architectural Review Commission
Art In Public Places Commission
Audit, Investment & Finance Committee
Building Board of Appeals & Condemnation
Cultural Resources Preservation Committee
El Paseo Business Association Board
Housing Commission
Library Promotion Committee
Marketing Committee
Parks & Recreation Commission
Planning Commission
Project Area Committee
Public Safety Commission
Rent Review Commission
Sustainability Committee
_ X Other: Hotel and Sienature
Events Committee
2. Name; Ahluwalia, Alex A.
Last First Middle Initial
3. Residence:* 36730 Verlaine Drive, Rancho Mira e, CA 92270
Street City 1p Code Telephone
'With some exceptions, residency within the City limits of the City of Palm Desert is required for
Committee/Commission Service (P.D.M.C. § 2.34.010[c]).
4. Business Address: 74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260 760-341-1700
Street City Zip Code Telephone
5. Preferred E-mail: alex.ahluwalia@marriott.com
6. Education: Bermuda Hotel & Business School
7, Current Occupation: General Manager
8. Employment Experience (beginning with present or most current position):
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa General Manager June 2016-Present
Name of Business/Address Your Title Employment Dates
The Ritz -Carlton, Kapalua General Manager Three Years
Name of Business/Address Your Title Employment Dates
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Tucson General Manager Seven Years
Name of BusinesslAddress Your Title Employment Dates
9. Members of the Planning Commission and Rent Review Commission must be Palm Desert
registered voters.
*! have been a City of Palm Desert resident since:
*! have been a registered voter in the City of Palm Desert since:
CITY OF PALM DF.$ERT - Application for Committee/Commission Service Page 2
10. Local residents who are qualified to comment on my capabilities (preferably someone not directly
connected with the City of Palm Desert):
Peter Hurley 74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260 760-341-1742
Name Address Telephone
Name Address Telephone
11. YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS (add attachments, if necessary):
General Manager of Luxury Hotels
12. Have you ever served on any City Committee or Commission previously? If yes, describe:
Maui Visitors Bureau
Tucson VJ,§itors Bureau
Greater Palm SDrinas Convention & Visitors Bureau (Currently)
Date: 9/ 30/ 16 Applicant Signature: Printed Name: Name: Alex Ahluwalia
You may attach additional sheets or information as you feet necessary. Application will remain on file as active for
a period of two (2) full years or until the City Clerk's Office Is notified otherwise.
NOTE: Disclosure of economic interests is required of those appointed to serve on the City's
Committees and Commissions pursuant to the City of Palm Desert Conflict of Interest Code.
THIS AREA FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY:
H:\WPdnta\WPDOCS\CMTES\Cmta FomtMmnle appl 2011-aupust.wpd 1 September 2011
City of Palm Desert
Committee/Commission
Applicant Questionnaire
1. Please provide your name, address, and telephone number(s):
Alex Ahluwalia, General Manager
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260
760-341-1700
2. l attended meetings of the Hotel and Signature Events Committee
(Name of Committee/Commission)
on the following dates. October 12, 2016
3. I am still interested in serving on this Committee/Commission:
x Yes No
a) If yes, please go to #4.
b) If no, please go to #5.
4. Please give your general impression of the Committee/Commission after
attending its meetings:
(over)
City of Palm Desert
Committee/Commission
Applicant Questionnaire
Page 2
5. Is there another Committee/Commission in which you are interested?
Yes . x No
a) If yes, please indicate the dates of the meetings for this
Committee/Commission that you attended and give your general
impression:
b) If no, the City of Palm Desert thanks you for your interest in
membership on its various Committees and Commissions. If you
decide in the future that you would again like to be considered for
membership, please contact us for a new application package.
6. After attending meetings and completing this Questionnaire, please return it
along with your Application for Committee/Commission Service to:
Office of the City Clerk
City of Palm Desert
73-510 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92260-2578
If you have any questions, please call City Clerk Rachelle Klassen Q_r
Deputy City Clerk Grace Mendoza at (760) 346-0611.
(Please attach additional sheets as necessary.)
H:1WPdats%WPD0CSICMTES%Cmte Forms%questlonnalrempd 1 8eplember 2011
BYLAWS
PALM DESERT HOTEL & SIGNATURE EVENTS COMMITTEE
Name: Hotel & Signature Events Committee
Membership: This Committee shall be comprised of no more than seven (7) members and should
represent a cross section of the community as it relates to tourism. Committee
members should represent one of these categories: large hotel, small hotel, and a
professional within the Convention and Visitors Bureau. City Council may appoint
an alternate member from a participating organization to serve as a voting
member during the absence of the first appointee. The Director of Economic
Development or his/her designee shall serve as the staff liaison to the Committee.
Additional City positions such as the Assistant City Manager, Economic
Development Manager, Tourism & Marketing Manager, Finance Department
Representative, and Public Information Officer may serve as ex-officio members.
Purpose: Members of the Hotel & Signature Events Committee shall serve as the conduit for
information between their own professional network and the City in terms of
industry trends, promotion ideas, and business activity and projections as it relates
to tourism. Members are to advise the City of Palm Desert regarding the best
method of creating, planning and implementing such programs as signature events
and hotel incentive programs and to closely monitor the programs for successful
results in attracting tourists and convention groups to Palm Desert hotels.
Members will also recommend General Fund budgetary expenditures to the City
Council as they relate to signature events, tourism programs, and hotel programs.
Terms of Members shall serve four-year terms as appointed by and at the pleasure of the
Membership: City Council. Members will be permitted two unexcused absences per calendar
year; the third unexcused absence shall constitute automatic resignation. Palm
Desert residency is not required rather an individual working within the
tourism/hotel community as determined by City Council for their particular
expertise or background will be appointed. Member terms shall be staggered to
provide continuity of membership.
Meetings: Held every two (2) months or as otherwise agreed upon by the membership.
By-laws for Hotel & Signature Events Committee
Subcommittees: Subcommittee meetings may be organized to address specific issues requiring
additional research and discussion. Subcommittee meetings shall be scheduled on
an ad hoc basis.
Officers: A chairman and vice chairman selected by the membership to serve one-year
terms, said terms to expire December 315L of each year.
Record Keeping: Written records of actions taken or recommendations made shall be kept by an
Responsibilities:
official recording secretary of the City department assigned to act as liaison to the
Committee.
1) Advise in the creation of signature events within the City in order to increase
hotel visits. Review, monitor, and evaluate the budgets used for events to
determine their efficiency and make recommendations on the implementation
of expenditure of funds for the events.
2) Develop a set of criteria/requirements for City sponsorship of signature events.
3) Assist in the creation of incentive programs to both improve existing hotels and
attract additional hotels to the City. Review and evaluate the programs and
make recommendations to City Council for support when implementing the
program.
4) Evaluate the City's efforts with these programs and events to determine their
success in attracting visitors and conventions to Palm Desert hotels.
5) Review and make recommendations on requests for financial support for
special events and activities.
6) Participate in selection of consultants and/or agencies providing professional
services required by the City as related to the goals of this committee.
By-laws for Hotel & Signature Events Committee