Visit Carmel Keynote Speech

A Special Place

Good afternoon, everyone. It’s an honor to be at La Playa—a place Margaret and I enjoy often, though usually you’ll find us on the terrace toasting their famous "Mayor" cocktail with our two pups at our side.

First, I’d like to commend the talented Visit Carmel board and staff: Your work is sophisticated and strategic. You aren't just "marketing"; you are curating the soul of our village for the world. As we’ll see in a few minutes, the results speak for themselves, and for that, we are grateful.

The Reality of Our Economy

But let’s be honest about the math. I represent a village of about 3,000 people. Yet, our tiny downtown supports hundreds of businesses and thousands of guests. In Carmel, tourism isn't just a "sector" of the economy—by most measures, it IS the economy.

The Competition is Moving

Success, however, makes us a target. Our neighboring cities aren't just watching us; they are passing us. I was with several City Managers last night at the Presidio and heard firsthand:

• Pacific Grove is cutting ribbons on a Kimpton in two weeks.

• Seaside’s Campus Town is coming out of the ground, and a Grand Hyatt is in the works.

• Sand City has a Marriott opening any minute.

• Marina has big plans for housing and dynamic new businesses.

This is happening now, less than 20 minutes from our front door. Even Salinas is seeing major projects moving south. I’m afraid that if we don’t modernize—thoughtfully yet fiercely—we risk falling behind. Not because we lost our charm, but because we got complacent. Momentum is a great wind at your back, but momentum is not a plan.

A Vision for Modernization

We need infrastructure that matches our reputation. We’re talking about parking, hotel elegance, and housing that actually exists for our workforce, seniors, and artists. There are visionary public/private partnership projects on the table that could leverage our parking lots to solve our housing and civic infrastructure needs. These projects could bring in revenue that makes a TOT tax increase look like pocket change—funds that, as we heard from resident Jim Beck on Monday, we’ll need sooner than later.

Choosing Our Path

I recently wrote about two paths for our future: a bold vision versus "Strategic Incrementalism." Neither path can be paved by the City Council alone. While private investment drives the vision, the City must not be a hurdle, but a partner. Our policies for smart development and business support need to be as world-class as our brand.

Proven Results

This will be a heavy lift, but over the past year, we’ve proven we can handle it.

• Look at the $17.5 million Harrison Library restoration moving forward.

• Street addresses will finally be activated in May—yes, the ordinance passed unanimously on Tuesday!

• We’ve accelerated road repairs from Highway 1 to Carpenter, and we’re fixing 1,500 sidewalk uplifts as I speak.

This level of activity felt impossible until we decided to stop talking and start doing.

The Call to Action

Here’s my ask: On January 22nd, the City Council holds our Strategic Planning session at Carpenter Hall. I am inviting you into that room. Do not be bystanders. Bring the same "get it done" energy you use to operate your incredible Carmel businesses every day.

When the business community speaks with one voice, the Council doesn't just hear you—we listen. That’s exactly how Visit Carmel became the powerful force it is today.

Thank you for everything you do for this village. And now, let’s get to work.