Best of Vallarta 2004
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BEST Event Organizer:
ROBERT ROESSEL
If not for the incredible determination of ardent cinephile Robert Roessel, we wouldn’t all be looking forward to the upcoming Film Festival of the Americas to be held here November 6 – 11.
A product of UCLA, the University of Minnesota and the University of Birmingham in England, the 43-year-old executive director of Vallarta’s film festival has worked at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Warner Brothers, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Berkshire Film Festival in Massachusetts, where he was president.
"When I commit to a project, it’s full speed ahead," he says – and everyone around him knows he means it. "There’s not much looking back. My motto is to concentrate on the positive, and this theory has been vitally important in Mexico."
Director John Huston is credited with putting Vallarta on the tourist map back in ’63 with his "The Night of the Iguana." And as a primer for the festival that will honor the maverick director, Roessel organized a successful homage to him here last November, attended by several Huston family members.
"From day one, I knew this would be a challenge, and I was prepared for the no’s, the negatives and the downfalls. Raising money anywhere is tough, yet we’ve managed to survive while keeping our vision intact. And the Huston family has certainly guided that vision."
He credits the continuous support from colleague Maria José Zorilla, formerly the city’s cultural department head for two administrations, with helping him survive, saying they share the same cultural values and instincts.
"This is a combined community effort. The festival will provide us all with the opportunity to enhance, promote, distinguish and establish Puerto Vallarta as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations. And this is our common goal.
"No matter which films or stars grace our bay this coming November, we will celebrate a cultural bridge of the Americas knowing that we put our best effort forward .
"It takes teamwork to succeed. And we will."


LONGEST RUNNING International Event:
FESTIVAL GOURMET
The upcoming gourmet festival, a prestigious and popular annual celebration of food and drink to be held November 11 – 21, promises to be the best yet. In honor of its 10th anniversary, this year’s program will actually be a magazine, a special publication produced by “Vallarta Lifestyles.” Hosts Thierry Blouet, Roland Menetrey and Heinz Reize of the organizing committee are to be applauded for the great job they do.

MOST Confusing New Street Signs:
UNO Y UNO

Lately it seems "Uno y Uno" street signs are everywhere. And so far, they’re not exactly making our roads safer because the four-way stop, a relatively new introduction to PV, is taking a while to catch on.
Drivers’ reactions to them vary wildly, from the guy who looks straight ahead and just goes for it, to those who hold back afraid to go at the wrong time, to the ones who piggyback on the first guy who does it, perhaps thinking it means “All for one and one for all.”
So when you come across one, and you will, show them how it’s done.




BEST New Shopping Concept:
SMALL VALLARTA

A new 25,000-square-foot commercial space respecting the traditional architecture, materials, style and colors of Puerto Vallarta is making a splash on the Malecon across from the Hotel Rosita.
Taking up a full city block, a bridge over a waterfall-fed pool and a “transparent” escalator take you to its three levels, anchored by Senor Frog’s, International Diamonds and Swatch. Shop in air-conditioned comfort, then take a culinary journey to the open-air international food court.