CAHA News

CAHA met at the Levine Museum of the New South in April. David Hyatt, president of Motor Racing Network (MRN) radio, was on hand to give us an overview of NASCAR today. He started by saying that NASCAR is certainly not immune to economic conditions and sponsorships had been lost at every level. But he also said to keep in mind that NASCAR still draws more fans and crowds than any other sport. The crowds on any weekend are bigger than the Super Bowl or other events. Hyatt also talked about changes NASCAR and the tracks have made to make the events even more attractive and fan-friendly. They’ve added amenities and activities as well as reduced prices. NASCAR is still very strong financially and would succeed where others might fail. Their strength is their fan base and a “return to their roots.”

Mary Schultz gave an update on the ambassador training program. Four seminars have been conducted with 47 participants. She reviewed the hotels that have participated and announced the upcoming dates and locations for training. She encouraged every hotel to send people. Those hotels in attendance that had participated raved about the program and the results.

This was also the meeting where CAHA elects new officers and directors for the year. Joanie Kastl, general manger at the DoubleTree SouthPark, made the report for the Nominating Committee, which had met and developed a slate of officers and directors to submit to the membership for consideration. In keeping with our tradition of rotating the officers between Center City and outlying properties and rotating the supplier representative, the following officers were elected:

- President: David Glass, Hilton University Place
- Vice President: Dave Love, Residence Inn Charlotte Uptown
- Secretary-Treasurer: Leon Cox, Marriott Executive Park
- Immediate Past President: Joanie Kastl
- Supplier Director: Patty Drummond, Tribble Creative

After the meeting concluded, Ed Burke, outgoing president and general manager at the OMNI, was presented with a plaque in appreciation for his service as president for the year.

Lastly, to cap off the day, Dr. Tom Hanchett, historian for the Levine Museum, gave a brief history of the New South. He then took the group on a guided tour of the museum, beginning with a video.