Power Players in Tourism and Hospitality

Laury Ellen Ward, president of Finger Lakes Wine Country Tourism Marketing Association, leads the organization to create top-of-mind brand awareness by promoting visitation to, and investment in, the five-county, 3000+ square mile region which comprises New York’s Finger Lakes Wine Country. The Finger Lakes Wine Country regional brand weaves stories of the region’s attributes and experiences through a singular, unified voice. Laury received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Public Relations from West Virginia University; her tenure with Finger Lakes Wine Country began in September 2013.

What do you wish more people understood about the tourism and hospitality industry?
It is important for people to realize that every single resident of a destination is an ambassador for their region, and every one of those people must recognize that tourism is THE gateway to economic development. Travelers to a region have made a conscious decision to share their hard-earned financial resources with the destination they choose to visit; therefore every visitor should be treated with respect and appreciation. Regions which fail to wholeheartedly welcome travelers, and don’t adjust their destination experiences to meet the needs of today’s diverse audiences, will not reap the significant economic benefits related to visitor spending.

How is the industry recovering after the pandemic?
Finger Lakes Wine Country is fortunate compared to some other destinations because what travelers are looking for is exactly what exists in this region. The pandemic encouraged people to stay closer to home (FLWC is located within five hours/300 miles of 25% of the U.S. population), to avoid crowds (we are a rural destination), to embrace the outdoors (glacially-carved lakes create breathtaking scenery), and to become immersed in the destination (our warm, welcoming, hands-on approachability is what sets us apart).

Destinations must take inventory of their assets and how they are described post-pandemic to assure traveler confidence and safety.

What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken, or the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
My memorable trips are those where, as a solo traveler, I can easily explore a destination without worrying about a schedule, a set itinerary, or my personal safety. In Wales, I hopped from public transit bus to bus and experienced the country the way it really is. I did the same thing in Australia, by train; I never knew where I would end up that day, yet I always returned with the most wonderful memories!

What is one tourist destination that all visitors should add to their itinerary?
I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t suggest Finger Lakes Wine Country! Finger Lakes Wine Country is home to picturesque small towns, spectacular natural landscapes, and the most welcoming, down-to-earth people you could hope to meet. It attracts adventurous, inquisitive explorers because it offers immersive, hands-on recreational and cultural experiences, from wine tasting and glass blowing to hiking and sailing.

People love Finger Lakes Wine Country because they can dive deeper into the place, its nature, and its people, have real conversations, and make genuine connections, learn more than they ever expected, and surface inspired, enlightened, and refreshed.

Ian Wardropper is devoted to sustaining the experience offered by The Frick Collection, which is often called “the museum that is a masterpiece.” Under his leadership, the institution’s historic buildings on East 70th Street are being preserved and enhanced through a thoughtful renovation. While the mansion is currently closed, the Frick has temporarily relocated to the nearby building, once the home of the Whitney Museum. The debut of Frick Madison in 2021 was one of the cultural highlights of NYC’s reopening, receiving rave reviews and welcoming new audiences.

What do you wish more people understood about the tourism and hospitality industry?
The arts and culture sector is a major facet of the tourism industry, in addition to the overall economy. Cultural institutions provide thousands of jobs and opportunities within the field. And, of course, tourists are local as well as global, and research proves that so much of our audience in New York is inspired to visit specifically because of its museums, theaters, music, and the performing arts. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of that vital energy!

How is the industry recovering after the pandemic?
The industry has been recovering in stages since NYC began reopening, first evident through the return of local visitors eager to engage directly with the City’s offerings when and where it felt safe. Many had connected with cultural organizations online during the shutdown, but having in-person experiences was clearly still valued, much to our relief. When we opened at Frick Madison in March 2021, most of our visitors were local, and this spring, we have seen a measured but steady increase in visitors from further afield, mirrored by stronger hotel occupancy and steady attendance on Broadway.

What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken, or the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
Following a Van Dyck exhibition at the Frick in 2016, I took a trip to this seventeenth-century painter’s hometown of Antwerp. Seeing the art in museums, like the Rubenshuis, in this fascinating but often overlooked city, was a pleasure. The highlight was a luncheon that the chef of the Sir Anthony Van Dyck restaurant cooked especially for us. My wife’s treat was a visit to the original shop of her favorite designer, Dries van Noten.

What is one tourist destination that all visitors should add to their itinerary?
The Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park at the tip of Manhattan has one of the finest collections of medieval art in the world. Part of the Metropolitan Museum, it is less busy than the main building on Fifth Avenue, offering a tranquil and unhurried experience rather like that of The Frick Collection. On a spring or summer day, stepping into its beautiful gardens with spectacular views across the Hudson River is a bonus, concluding a memorable experience.

Adam D. Weinberg has served as Alice Pratt Brown director of the Whitney Museum of American Art since 2003. During his tenure, the Whitney has substantially grown its collection, expanded performance offerings, created award-winning education programs, and presented dozens of critically-acclaimed exhibitions with a special focus on living artists. This season, visitors experience Whitney Biennial 2022: Quiet as It’s Kept, the 80th edition of the Museum’s flagship survey of American art. Featuring 63 intergenerational, interdisciplinary artists and collectives, the 2022 Biennial activates the Museum building, outdoor space, and community.

Paul Westlake, FAIA, directs DLR Group‘s cultural and performing arts studio, collaborating with a diverse range of clients, including Broadway producers; premier performing arts centers, orchestras, and conservatories of music; major museums; and academic arts institutions. He has cultivated a team of designers and technicians specializing in the arts that has developed an internationally recognized portfolio of award-winning design. This practice is the #1 cultural design practice in the U.S. and #2 in the world by BD World Architecture.

What do you wish more people understood about the tourism and hospitality industry?
The spin-off effects of cultural activity generated by the tourism and hospitality industry have enormous economic impact. Cultural activity is an important contributor to quality of life. Many locational decisions of individuals and corporations are influenced by the presence and strength of communities formed by cultural institutions.

How is the industry recovering after the pandemic?
The performing arts industry occupying enclosed venues is recovering slowly. However, open air venues such as amphitheatres, and museums and visual arts institutions are recovering much more rapidly.

What is the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken, or the most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
My most memorable trip was when I traveled to Beijing, China, to see and experience local cultural institutions. My most memorable meal was a banquet at a private club in the French concession in Shanghai, China.

What is one tourist destination that all visitors should add to their itinerary?
Anyone who visits Cleveland should add a trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to their itinerary. The museum not only collects and exhibits rock and roll memorabilia, but also recognizes and celebrates the genre’s most influential figures.

Jeff Zalaznick is managing partner at Major Food Group, a prominent New York restaurant group. Mr. Zalaznick began his career working as an investment banker at J.P. Morgan. He entered the hospitality industry as a manager at the Manager Oriental, after which he independently created and sold two highly-influential restaurant websites. Mr. Zalaznick formed Major Food Group in 2010 alongside chefs Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi. With Major Food Group, he has joined with the Robin Hood Foundation in a charity partnership.