Born and raised in San Diego, Elvin Lai is a fourth-generation owner-operator of the 71-room Ocean Park Inn hotel in Pacific Beach since 2003. Elvin is not only passionate about his family and community but also an active member of the lodging associations, currently serving as the former Chair of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, member of Mayor Todd Gloria’s AAPI Advisory Board, and on the Board of Governors of the San Diego Foundation and Asian Business Association.

Previously, Elvin has served as Chairman of the San Diego County Lodging Association, Chairman of the California Hotel and Lodging Association, and Executive Board Member of the San Diego Tourism Authority. Additionally, Elvin serves his local community as past President, twice over, of the Pacific Beach Business Improvement District called Discover PB, Board member of the Asian Business Association, and at the San Diego County Alcohol Policy Panel Sector Leader. Elvin also created, cofounded, and co-chaired the PB Clean and Safe pilot program and continues to work to make this program a permanent reality for Pacific Beach. As a result of Elvin’s community service, both Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Mayor Todd Gloria and Councilmember Chris Cate presented Elvin with the honor of proclaiming August 31st, 2020, June 2nd, 2022 and December 8th, 2023 as Elvin Lai Day.

As an entrepreneur with businesses in four different sectors, Elvin’s greatest passions are building relationships, creating strategic alignments, supporting the growth of our economy and tourism industry, and working to better our community for future generations. In addition to his hotel, Elvin is currently working on Abnormal Company Beer and a restaurant called The Cork and Craft @ Abnormal. Elvin has a bachelor’s in biology and a minor in Chemistry from the University of San Diego and a Master's in Hospitality Management from San Diego State University.