Press Releases
Sister Companies Inns of Monterey and Cannery Row Company Win 2026 Monterey Peninsula Chamber Business Excellence Awards
Inns of Monterey and Cannery Row Company each earned a 2026 Business Excellence Award from the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. The awards were presented at the Chamber's 39th Annual Business Excellence Awards celebration on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
The two organizations were recognized among more than 40 finalists in 17 business categories during the event, which brought together more than 360 business leaders, elected officials and community members from across the Monterey Peninsula.
Inns of Monterey received the Business Excellence Award in the Accommodations & Visitor Services (Limited Service) category, while Cannery Row Company earned the Business Excellence Award in the Real Estate & Property Management category.
The Monterey Peninsula Chamber established the Business Excellence Awards 39 years ago to recognize organizations that demonstrate excellence in their industries and to increase awareness of the vital role local businesses play in strengthening the Central Coast economy.
Finalists were determined through a two-round voting process. The first round was open to the public, followed by a second round of voting by Monterey Peninsula Chamber members. Nearly 6,000 votes were cast to determine this year's finalists and winners.
Both organizations credited their employees, tenants, guests and community partners for the recognition.
"We're honored by this recognition, but the real credit belongs to our incredible employees, tenants and community partners. Their dedication and care are what make Cannery Row such a special place. For generations, Cannery Row Company has committed to preserving its history and character and we'll continue to invest in its future. We are very grateful to the Monterey Peninsula Chamber for this honor, thank you," says Ted Balestreri, Cannery Row Company Chairman & CEO.
"Hospitality is about making every guest feel genuinely welcome. We're proud of the thoughtful, personal service our teams provide across all five Inns of Monterey and honored to have that commitment recognized by the Chamber and community, "says Tim McGregor, Vice President and General Manager of Inns of Monterey.
As category winners, Inns of Monterey and Cannery Row Company now advance as finalists for the Monterey Peninsula Chamber's 2026 Business of the Year Award, which will be presented at the Chamber's Annual Awards Dinner in March 2027.
About Cannery Row
Cannery Row was made famous in John Steinbeck's classic novel depicting life in the "the sardine capital of the world." Today, Cannery Row is a beautiful waterfront playground where visitors from all over the world seek a California getaway as authentic as the coast itself. Cannery Row was named “One of the Seven Wonders of Monterey County” by the Monterey County Herald readers. Cannery Row remains a treasure of California's Central Coast, where a discovery awaits every type of visitor. For more information, visit the official Cannery Row website at www.canneryrow.com.
About Inns of Monterey
Reflecting the warm hospitality and spirit of the Monterey, California, the Inns of Monterey is a collection of five boutique hotels each offering distinctively different Monterey experiences for a wide range of guests; whether romantic, honeymooner, business traveler, vacationer, or family. The collection includes the historic Casa Munras Garden Hotel & Spa, Monterey Bay Inn, Spindrift Inn, Victorian Inn and Wave Street Inn. Each of the Inns of Monterey boasts genuine hospitality, luxurious guest rooms and suites, unique amenities, dining and spa experiences in perfect settings in either downtown Monterey and on or around Cannery Row. For more information: innsofmonterey.com; 800-232-4141.