Power Players in Tourism and Hospitality

Josh Rawitch spent more than a quarter century working in baseball before assuming his role as National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum president on September 9, 2021. Rawitch oversees the daily operation of the nonprofit, educational institution, whose mission is to preserve history, honor excellence, and connect generations. Rawitch came to the Hall of Fame after a decade with the Arizona Diamondbacks, serving as the team’s senior vice president of content and communications. He joined the Diamondbacks after 15 years as part of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ front office.

What do you wish more people understood about the tourism and hospitality industry?
The industry is critical to the success of Cooperstown, as this village is the perfect example of what tourism and hospitality can do for a town. There is so much more to do in Cooperstown than just the Hall of Fame, including Otsego Lake, multiple museums, breweries, wineries, and a world-class golf course. Only $.10 of every dollar spent here ends up at the Hall of Fame, with local businesses reaping the benefits of the 83-year-old institution.

How is the industry recovering after the pandemic?
We are starting to see a return to normalcy in many ways at the Hall of Fame. All of our programs are back to the way they were pre-pandemic and we expect that our attendance will recover significantly, though not quite back to 2019 levels yet. The local baseball tournaments that drive much of our attendance are also going to be back to normal this year, so out-of-state tourism will be significant once again.

What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken, or the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
International travel is a huge passion of mine, so it is hard to pick one trip among the 43 countries I’ve visited, but the most memorable would probably be the 3 1/2 month backpacking trip I took throughout South America in 2001-02. My most memorable meal was on my honeymoon in Belize in 2004 when we ate at Capricorn, a restaurant that was only reachable by boat.

What is one tourist destination that all visitors should add to their itinerary?
Outside of Cooperstown, I’d have to go with Iguazu Falls, which is on the border of Argentina and Brazil. I have been three times and it never fails to blow me away with its grandeur and beauty. Much like Cooperstown, it isn’t the easiest place to get to, but the payoff is well worth it. Just like the Hall of Fame, you want to leave more than just one day to take it all in, so plan to combine it with another city (much like Cooperstown can be paired well with Niagara Falls).

In her role as chief executive officer, Clare works with the James Beard Foundation staff and board of trustees to set the long-term strategic direction of the Foundation, and oversees all programmatic, financial, and management operations of JBF. She has led the Foundation for over four years, has been responsible for steering the Foundation through the pandemic, overhauling the Awards program and anchoring all JBF activity within the mission of Good Food For Good™.

What do you wish more people understood about the tourism and hospitality industry?
In terms of culinary tourism, I love it when people get off the beaten path and explore the hidden gems of lesser visited boroughs and neighborhoods. NYC boasts such a richly diverse culinary scene — by branching out and supporting dining establishments in every corner of our great city, you are giving back to the communities that depend on those local businesses.

How is the industry recovering after the pandemic?
The resilience and innovative nature of the culinary community is so impressive, but the last two years have been profoundly challenging for independent restaurants, and the pandemic laid bare many of the industry’s longstanding issues. Although the world is opening up again, there is still a steep hill to climb in terms of labor shortages, increased cost of goods, supply chain issues, and ongoing considerations around COVID provisions. So, we continue to ask people to be ‘good diners’ — be considerate of all that restaurants are still dealing with, be respectful of your servers, and — though it’s an imperfect system — please tip appropriately.

What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken, or the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
I spent 6 weeks in northern India and had some of the most sensational meals, including an incredible vegetarian feast in the Thar Desert at dusk — it felt otherworldly.

What is one tourist destination that all visitors should add to their itinerary?
This fall the James Beard Foundation is partnering with Google and Jamestown on the launch of a new food hall and event space at the recently opened Pier 57 at Hudson River Park. The James Beard Foundation is collaborating with Jamestown to curate the Pier 57 Market Hall vendors, with the aim of showcasing the city’s culinary and cultural diversity. The Foundation will operate a dedicated JBF-kiosk and demonstration kitchen highlighting chefs and programs aligned with our “Good Food for Good” mission. It’s a fabulous new park and space. I encourage everyone visiting NYC to come and check it out.

Kristen Jarnagin Reynolds has been at the helm of Discover Long Island, the official organization charged with furthering Long Island’s $6.3 billion tourism economy, for more than six years. A transplant from Arizona, her experience as a destination leader spans more than 25 years in roles at the state tourism level, in corporate and luxury resorts, and as the statewide lobbyist for tourism and economic development advocacy.

Kristen and her team at Discover LI work to promote a positive perception of Long Island across the globe, which draws lucrative visitors, stirs business attraction, and drives economic development – all for the overarching purpose of improving the quality of life for residents. During her tenure at Discover LI, collaborations with the Long Island MacArthur Airport, LIRR, LIA, NYC & Co. and all eight regional IDAs have led to many nationally award-winning campaigns and enhanced economic vitality.

Kristen has been named to the Top 50 Women in Business on Long Island’s Hall of Fame, Power Women of Long Island, City & State’s Top 100 Long Island influencers, Long Island Press Power List and Business Advocate of the Year. She is a graduate from the acclaimed Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and is a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME).

Stephanie has been executive director of the Sleepy Hollow Tarrytown Chamber of Commerce for over four years. Previously, she was director of marketing at OnTrack Sport Center in Tarrytown and director of meeting planning at Meetings Management Group in McLean, VA. She has a degree in Business Management from Tulane University. Born and raised on Long Island, Stephanie moved to Westchester in 2007. She is married and has two teenage sons. Her dog, Bryson, is now her favorite child!

What do you wish more people understood about the tourism and hospitality industry?
The tourism industry is important for the benefits it brings and due to its role as a commercial activity that creates demand and growth for many more industries. Tourism not only contributes toward more economic activities but also generates more employment and revenues, and plays a significant role in development.

How is the industry recovering after the pandemic?
While COVID-19 has caused significant disruption, the hospitality and tourism industry is resilient and is coming back strong,

There is light at the end of the tunnel and the industry is rebounding to a desired future state that is vastly improved from last year.

What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken, or the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
My husband and I traveled to Australia on our honeymoon 20 years ago. The trip was well worth the 20+ hours in the air from New York.

What is one tourist destination that all visitors should add to their itinerary?
Don’t miss the gorgeous storefronts and buildings up and down Main Street in Tarrytown, and Beekman Avenue in Sleepy Hollow, dotted with shops, restaurants, and cafes. Explore the picturesque and quintessential downtown areas that look straight out of a movie — no wonder it’s been named one of the top 10 prettiest towns in America by Forbes. Whether you are looking for a wonderful place to live and work, or an exciting place to visit on vacation, the villages of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow have much to offer.

Jordan Roth is the president of Jujamcyn Theaters. He is a six-time Tony Award-winning producer for shows including The Book of Mormon, Kinky Boots, and Hadestown, and the majority owner of five Broadway theaters. In addition, Mr. Roth serves on the Board of Trustees of numerous charitable organizations including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The Broadway League, the Times Square Alliance, and the Estee Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation. In 2019, Mr. Roth was awarded the Human Rights Campaign Legacy Award, and in 2016, he and his husband received the Trevor Project Hero Award for their leadership in the LGBTQ+ community.

Michael Royce is the executive director of the New York Foundation for the Arts, a nonprofit serving artists, cultural workers, and arts organizations. Cultural equity is his passion. Royce has fundraised and overseen the distribution of over $20 million in aid to artists impacted by COVID, and annually secures dollars to support free programs for immigrant artists, executive arts leaders of color, artists with disabilities, and intensive workshops for leaders who work in underserved communities.

What do you wish more people understood about the tourism and hospitality industry?
If we truly want to be in a place that supports and encourages the tapestry of humanity and, as a result, live in a city like no other in the world, with exceptional arts, diverse cultural offerings, provocative architecture, strong local communities, and a framework for a capital system that works for all, then the importance of tourism and hospitality requires no further explanation. It is the welcome portal for people who visit or eventually decide to stay in New York because it allows one to claim their identity, express creativity, and thrive in a state of constant innovation.

How is the industry recovering after the pandemic?
First, not everyone believes the pandemic is over, and the multiplier effect of that is that all the support structures of the hospitality sector are seeing up and down waves of “normalcy” or resurgences when it comes to tourism. It is a complicated process as individuals determine where they feel safe, how that safety is assured, and what type of environment they want to experience as they come out of two to three years of uncertainty. On the whole, though, it seems a recovery is occurring, but in fits and starts.

What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken, or the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
I would say the most memorable one was when I was asked by a gracious host in Kunming, China, to have a piece of Ying Yang Yu. Not wanting to offend in any way I accepted a small portion of fried but still alive fish and swallowed it whole. Perhaps it was my imagination but I swear I could still feel it moving as it went down my gut. Never forgot that and never will.

What is one tourist destination that all visitors should add to their itinerary?
There is always of course the unbridled, unique, and extraordinary energy of NYC itself and anyplace within it should be experienced, but if you want to spend unhurried time among exquisite and breathtaking fauna and flora nestled in Cold Spring Harbor, I would make it a point to visit Stonecrop Gardens. It is an enchanting oasis of serenity and beauty that demands you redirect your attention away from emails, Zooms, obligations, and responsibilities, and instead connect one’s essence to the nature beheld. Leave your phone in the car.

Basil Seggos was appointed Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner in October 2015 to lead an agency of over 3,000 professionals. As commissioner, he oversees programs that promote a clean, healthy, and accessible environment, including combating climate change; protecting and restoring New York’s air, lands, and waters; enforcing State environmental laws and regulations; responding to natural and man-made disasters; and supporting world-class outdoor recreation on State lands and waters, including hunting, fishing, hiking and paddling.

What do you wish more people understood about the tourism and hospitality industry?
New York is home to millions of acres of State lands, hundreds of campgrounds, and thousands of miles of trails for visitors of all abilities. People come to enjoy the beauty we offer and every visitor should be able to access, enjoy, and feel welcome on State lands. While enjoying these shared spaces, everyone needs to be respectful of other visitors and the resources because without them, tourism wouldn’t thrive. We encourage visitors to practice Leave No Trace™ – share trails, be kind, be prepared, and leave things as you found them for others to enjoy for future generations.

How is the industry recovering after the pandemic?
Visitation at state lands hit record levels during the pandemic. At the height of COVID-19, millions of New Yorkers were desperate to get outside and took advantage of opportunities, particularly in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves. We were seeing an uptick before the pandemic too. We learned how important it is for people to connect with nature and how that benefited not only their physical wellbeing, but their mental health as well. People realize they don’t have to travel far to find an amazing experience when there is so much to offer right here in New York.

What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken, or the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
After college, I was lucky enough to paddle the entire length of the Noatak River in Arctic Alaska with three friends. We dropped at the headwaters with two canoes and all our gear, and spent a month heading down 400 miles of river under perpetual sun, mosquitos, and visits from grizzlies.

What is one tourist destination that all visitors should add to their itinerary?
White Lily Pond in the Boreas Pond Tract. There are too many special places to count in the Adirondacks. But this one is special for me as I led the acquisition and Wilderness classification of this unbelievable property, with its views of the High Peaks and majestic solitude.

José Serrano has served in the New York State Senate since 2004 after three years as a New York City Councilmember, where he chaired the Council’s Committee on Cultural Affairs. Senator Serrano has led battles to keep New York State Parks open to the public during budget negotiations, and he continues to advocate for environmental preservation. As chair of the State Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Senator Serrano works to guarantee access to arts education in schools, as well as funding and support for cultural institutions across the state.

Alexandra Silversmith has led the Alliance for Coney Island as executive director since 2016. A native Brooklynite, her career has focused on economic development and policy. She is a graduate of Brown University and New York University Wagner School of Public Service. Ms. Silversmith’s past experience includes working at NYC Economic Development Corporation where her projects spanned a variety of neighborhoods, including Coney Island, East New York, and the South Bronx. At the Alliance, she has led efforts to expand visitorship through public events and adding art to the neighborhood.

What do you wish more people understood about the tourism and hospitality industry?
The tourism and hospitality industries are critical to NYC’s economy. A visit to New York and positive experiences during that trip are of utmost importance for return visitors. As a nonprofit, this is top of mind in the work we do and thinking about our public spaces and the amenities needed to create a memorable visit. Coney Island is unique since we have so many private businesses bordered by our iconic beach and boardwalk. The public and private attractions combined provide a unique location to visit but also require a lot of coordination, which is why our work is critical.

How is the industry recovering after the pandemic?
Local visitorship has seen steady growth since the area was permitted to fully reopen in 2021, but we still have many challenges. A lot of Coney Island’s growth in recent years (pre-pandemic) had been from the tourism segment of the market and that has not rebounded as strongly. We are optimistic that New Yorkers will continue to make Coney Island a summer destination, and that since the borders are now reopened with many countries, tourists will help continue a steady upward visitorship trend to ensure our businesses can survive these difficult times.

What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken, or the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
I love to travel and have so many favorite places I’ve visited, including Cuba, Italy, and Puerto Rico. Each trip has provided unique experiences, but most importantly the interactions with the people have been so positive, the architecture in each country has been gorgeous, and the cuisines are all so unique and delicious, they made unforgettable experiences.

What is one tourist destination that all visitors should add to their itinerary?
Coney Island, of course! The natural beauty of our neighborhood along with the variety of attractions makes it the ideal visit for anyone. When the sun is shining the options abound and you can have a tranquil day at the beach or go for full-on thrills on the various roller coasters, or experience history through rides like the Wonder Wheel. The number of landmarks in Coney Island also lends to such a memorable experience — ranging from the Parachute Jump to the Cyclone Roller Coaster to the Childs Restaurant to the Boardwalk, Coney Island is truly unlike anywhere in NYC.