yes, Columbus

 A timely conversation on the forces influencing travel, group business and hotel performance, along with insights into what hospitality leaders should be watching as we look toward 2027. Michael brings a national and global perspective to the conversation, with a unique understanding of how broader travel and economic trends translate to opportunities and challenges for destinations and hotels like ours.Michael Dominguez, President & CEO - Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)Michael Dominguez serves as the President & CEO for Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI).   ALHI is the largest independent Global Sales Organization with a team of nearly 85 professionals located among 26 offices across North America and Europe. Prior to joining ALHI, Michael served in executive sales leadership roles with MGM Resorts International as Chief Sales Officer and many brand and independent branded companies.Michael is an-award winning hospitality industry veteran. He has received multiple honors for his leadership and influence and has been recognized as a change agent by his peers. He’s also been a speaker with Fortune 100 Companies on topics ranging from disruption to the economy and a passion around Leadership and was an invited speaker at SXSW in 2018.

What impact do meetings and conventions have on the local economy? In this special episode of the Yes, Columbus podcast, Sarah and Boxer sit down with Didio Pequeno of CoStar to take a closer look at the “heads-in-beds” conversation and explore what hotel demand, visitor spending and meetings mean for Columbus’ economy—and the future of the city’s meetings and conventions industry.Didio Pequeno joined CoStar Group as Director of Hospitality Market Analytics, responsible for the Northeast and Midwestern regions. In this capacity, he produces meaningful, relevant, and insightful analysis on the hospitality industry, focusing on his assigned regions.Pequeno’s career in hospitality spans nearly 20 years, including roles in operations, consulting, and advisory. While working as a Senior Consultant with Carpedia Hospitality, he specialized in labor optimization and implementing changes to operational processes within full-service hotels located across the globe. Most recently, he spent time as a Senior Consultant with REVPAR International, a hospitality advisory and asset management firm. In this role, he assisted in the asset management of over a dozen hotels, completed over 50 feasibility studies, and the cumulative value of the assets he evaluated exceeded $1 billion.His passion for the hospitality industry drove him to obtain a Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality & Tourism Management from Pace University, a Master of Science in Hotel Finance from NYU, and a Certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investments & Asset Management from Cornell University. In his free time, he likes to work out, travel, and entertain friends. He is also married to a chef, so he and his wife are wholeheartedly committed to the hospitality industry!

85 Years of sharing the best of Columbus with the world. In this episode, Boxer and Sarah have a grounded conversation with Brian Ross, President and CEO of Experience Columbus and Amir Eylon, President and CEO and Partner at Longwoods International, about the undeniable growth of Columbus' tourism economy. Brian's Bio:Brian Ross serves as president and CEO of Experience Columbus, the destination marketing organization for the Columbus region dedicated to growing visitor spending and enhancing the visitor experience. In his role, Ross leads the Experience Columbus team in growing the local travel economy through targeted destination sales and marketing strategies aimed at attracting conventions, trade shows, meetings and leisure visitors to Ohio’s capital city. Under his leadership, the industry has grown to record highs. Annually, visitors make 54.9 million trips to Greater Columbus for conventions, trade shows, sporting events and leisure visits, spending $8.2 billion and supporting more than 82,500 jobs. Ross assumed the leadership role in 2013 after serving as the organization’s vice president of sales for six years. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Ross worked for 17 years for Hyatt Hotels and Resorts in sales and marketing, including two stints at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. His last job with the company was as executive director of sales, overseeing 25 hotels in the western region.  At Experience Columbus, Ross has led the team to continually raise the profile of Columbus as a premiere destination. In 2024, Experience Columbus launched a new brand campaign, Yes, Columbus, which invites visitors to Columbus to experience the city firsthand and see why Columbus has been quietly stacking up accolades from top national outlets in recent years. In 2025, Columbus was recognized for the second year in a row as one of the top 10 best big cities in the U.S. according to Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers' Choice Awards and was named one of America’s next great food cities by Food & Wine. Ross has also led the team to continue to raise the profile of Columbus as a premiere destination for hosting meetings and conventions. In 2025, Columbus hosted a total of 349 conventions, trade shows and sporting events, up 3% from the previous year. Major recent events hosted in Columbus include the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church's General Conference, which brought 15,000 attendees, filled 22,000 hotel rooms and had an estimated $15 million in direct visitor spending. In 2023, Columbus hosted PCMA Convening Leaders as well as the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Columbus is proud to soon be a two-time host for ASAE’s Annual Meeting & Exposition (in 2019 and returning again in 2030). Ross is an active member of industry organizations, which has further elevated Columbus’ profile in the global tourism sector. He previously served on the Board of Directors for Destinations International, TourismOhio Advisory Board and the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority. He and his wife, Mary, have one son and two dogs. They enjoy living in Columbus’ Arena District, where they embrace an urban lifestyle with a wealth of festivals, neighborhoods, restaurants and entertainment within walking distance. Amir's Bio:PRESIDENT & CEO, PARTNERLONGWOODS INTERNATIONALA 37-year veteran of the Travel & Tourism industry, Amir Eylon is President & CEO of Longwoods International, a premier market research consultancy that specializes in the travel and tourism industry. In this role, he oversees all aspects of daily operations, thought leadership, product & business development, and partnerships for this recognized brand in tourism market research. Under his leadership, the company has more than doubled in size in terms of clients and team members.Amir joined Longwoods international in 2015 from his previous role as Vice President, Partner Engagement with Brand USA, the public-private partnership serving as the destination marketing organization dedicated to increasing international visitation to the US. He led the team responsible for helping to increase its partnership base and focused on exceeding service expectation for those partners. During his tenure, Brand USA grew its base from 15 to over 475 partners, comprised of destination marketing organizations, state tourism offices, attractions, hotels, travel brands, airlines, and tour operators.Prior to joining Brand USA, Amir served as Director of the Ohio Office of Tourism. Under his leadership, the state's marketing programs realized a tremendous return on investment and contributed to the growth of the state's then  $40 billion tourism economy. These successful marketing efforts were often cited as the basis for the program’s many awards and recognitions during his tenure.He has also served as President of the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association, Assistant Director of the Ohio Tourism Division, and Sales & Marketing Manager with the Steuben County Conference and Visitors Bureau.Amir is a regular speaker on market research and tourism at conferences and events around the country. His thoughts on the tourism industry and travel trends are often quoted in the media, and he has appeared in dozens of interviews among many national media outlets such as CNBC, MSNBC, WSJ, Forbes, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times, and is a regular guest on many industry-related podcasts.Amir has been recognized with a number of Industry honors including Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing award (2014) by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI); The Ohio Tourism Industry's Highest Honor, The Paul Sherlock Award; and The State of Ohio Distinguished Service Medal. He is an active member of many Travel Industry committees and task forces, a former Board Member of the U.S. Travel Association, and currently serves as the Immediate Past Board Chair for the Destinations International Foundation..Amir holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Dayton and resides in Columbus, OH with his wife, Karen, who is also in the travel industry.

Columbus-based band, Caamp, just celebrated 10 years since the debut of their first album; since then they've gone on to perform sell-out arena shows across the globe. In this episode, Boxer and Sarah interview Evan Westfall, founding member and musician of this hometown group to learn more about how they got their start, what about Columbus inspires their music and some of his favorite places to go in the city when he's not touring.Bio: Caamp started in Ohio and has never really left it behind. Co-founders Taylor Meier and Evan Westfall grew up together in Upper Arlington, just outside Columbus, and found the band’s sound in Athens. Meier on guitar and lead vocals, Westfall on banjo, guitar and harmonies - now joined by Matt Vinson, JoeKavalec and Nick Falk. A decade and five albums later, Caamp has drawn over 2.5 billion streams worldwide and a reputation for electric performances that blur the lines between modern folk and indie rock energy. Their 2025 U.S. headline tour sold over 200,000 tickets across 33 shows, and their fifth album, Copper Changes Color, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Americana/Folk Albums chart. In March 2026 the band made its NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert debut - ten years after Meier and Westfall entered the Tiny Desk Contest. Caamp is currently in the middle of a 2026 touring year that has included dates with Zach Bryan and Mumford & Sons across North America and Europe. They come home to Columbus on August 29 at The Schottenstein Arena.

The Ohio State Fair is a time-honored, summertime tradition for so many. In this episode Boxer and Sarah go behind the scenes with Alicia Shoults and Adam Heffron of the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds to learn about what it takes to put on one of Ohio’s favorite events. Hear about the history of the fair, what’s new, can’t miss foods to try and their insider picks for must-do experiences this year. Get your tickets for the Ohio State Fair happening July 29-Aug. 9, 2026.Adam Heffron  is the Executive Director of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds.Returning after 30 years, Adam previously worked at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds in theRental Department after college. He then went on to work in the fair and event industries beforereturning as the Executive Director of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds in 2024.Adam leads a team of approximately 55 full-time staff members dedicated to hosting more than 150events year-round. The staff, as well as and hundreds of part-time staff members also put on the annualOhio State Fair attracting visitors from all 88 counties in Ohio, as well as guests from across the country. With core roots in agriculture and tradition, the Ohio State Fair is a premiere event with quality entertainment, hands-on activities, delicious food, shopping, an 8-acre Natural Resources Park, an exciting Midway, and so much more.Alicia Shoults, CFE, is the deputy director of experience and operations of the Ohio StateFair. She got her start in the fair industry during her youth in 4-H as a county junior fair boardmember, then landed a summer internship at the state fair in college. In 2011, she returnedas the Ohio State Fair’s marketing and public relations director, overseeing and executing all the fair’s marketing, advertising, public relations and social media efforts. Her role was broadened into the Assistant General Manager role in 2019. Alicia is a member of International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Education Foundation Board of Trustees, is a past president of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Central Ohio,was a member of the YMCA of Ross County Board of Directors. She is proud to have been named the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Rising Star in 2023, and the Central Ohio Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Tom Poling Practitioner of theYear Award in 2022. She was recently elected as Second Vice Chair of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), and will serve as Chair of the organization in 2028.

Have you heard the news? Food & Wine officially tapped Columbus as one of America's Next Great Food Cities, and Condé Nast Traveler readers ranked it as a Top 10 Food City in the U.S. On this episode, Boxer and Sarah welcome one of Columbus’ most influential chefs, Josh Dalton, and his long-time business partner, Mitch Coale to talk about the evolution of the Columbus food scene and to preview the opening of their newest concept, Amara. Josh Dalton is a nationally recognized Columbus chef and restaurateur known for creating distinctive dining experiences that have helped shape the Columbus’ culinary scene. His restaurants include Veritas, Speck Italian Eatery, The Citizens Trust, Rosebud's and newly opened Amara. Inspired by travel, exceptional ingredients and genuine hospitality, Josh believes every restaurant should have a soul. He's known for being deeply hands-on, the kind of owner who's in the dining room as often as he's behind the scenes, and for treating his staff and guests like extensions of his own family. When he's not traveling in search of new culinary inspiration, Josh enjoys exploring Columbus' ever-evolving restaurant scene — preferably with a great margarita on a sunny patio.Mitch Coale is Director of Operations for Joshua Dalton's growing restaurant group, overseeing the day-to-day operations of Veritas, Speck Italian Eatery, The Citizens Trust, Rosebud's and newly opened Amara. Working alongside Josh for nearly a decade, Mitch has helped bring each concept to life while building teams known for exceptional hospitality and seamless execution. Respected for his calm leadership and attention to detail, Mitch is passionate about developing people and creating memorable experiences for every guest. A Columbus resident, Mitch genuinely loves this city's food scene, not just as someone who works in it, but as someone who eats and drinks his way through it too.

Downtown Columbus is everyone’s neighborhood. In this episode, Boxer and Sarah sit down with Amy Taylor, President of Downtown Columbus Inc., the organization behind so many of Columbus’ top culinary concepts, dynamic spaces and favorite gathering places to talk about the history of Columbus Commons and the Scioto Mile, and to hear updates on the Capital Line Project. Guest Bio: Amy TaylorAmy Taylor is President of Downtown Columbus, Inc., her latest role in a career spanning more than 25 years of leading organizations and projects that transform places. As the executive in charge of launching the current Downtown Strategic Plan, Amy led the process that synthesized 2,000 community comments into a roadmap for Downtown’s future. Implementation is now underway, with ambitious goals of reaching 40,000 residents and 120,000 workers by 2040.Amy is directly responsible for several significant projects that will bring this vision to life, including the Capital Line, a new pedestrian pathway around Downtown, and the purchase and repurposing of three underutilized buildings on Broad Street. She also leads the team transforming The Peninsula into an active, mixed-use Downtown district.Throughout her career, Amy has led city-redefining projects such as the Scioto Mile, Columbus Commons, and Scioto Greenways river revitalization. These developments created green space and cultural attractions that catalyzed more than $400 million in private investments, igniting a new era of growth and vibrancy in Downtown Columbus. She also served as project executive for the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, a first-of-its-kind institution.In addition to her work at Downtown Columbus, Inc., Amy serves as an adjunct professor at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University, and as a board member for COTA, Columbus Next Generation Corporation, Campus Partners and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum Operations Board. And while Amy has built a multidimensional career, she will also tell you her favorite role is Mom to her daughter, Audrey.

What does it take for a restaurant to become a Columbus institution? In this episode of Yes, Columbus, Boxer and Sarah sit down with Chef Richard Blondin and owner Kamal Boulos of The Refectory as they celebrate the restaurant’s 50th anniversary. Together, they reflect on the passion, craftsmanship and hospitality that have made The Refectory a beloved dining destination for generations.Richard Blondin - Executive ChefOver three decades ago, Chef Richard Blondin embarked on a journey from Lyon, France, arriving in Ohio as a young, ambitious chef eager to explore new culinary horizons stateside. More than thirty years later, his indelible presence continues to define The Refectory.While the Columbus dining scene has undergone remarkable transformations over those decades, The Refectory's unwavering reputation as the city's preeminent fine dining destination has remained steadfast. This enduring acclaim is a direct testament to Chef Blondin’s impeccable French technique, his masterful creation of exquisite sauces, and his consistently artistic presentations. His culinary artistry has been instrumental in earning the restaurant a coveted and astonishing array of accolades including, Best Chef in Columbus, Best Restaurant in Columbus, Best Fine Dining, and Best Romantic Restaurant, all won multiple years. Under his seasoned guidance, The Refectory continues to set the standard for culinary excellence in Columbus and beyond.“It is an honor to create culinary experiences for our guests. Much of life is experienced over food–engagements, anniversaries, milestones, and important conversations. Ourguests have been gracious enough to allow our offerings to enhance those experiences on every level.”-Chef Richard BlondinKamal Boulos – Owner, The Refectory RestaurantKamal Boulos is the owner of The Refectory Restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, one of the region’s most celebrated fine dining establishments. A lifelong restaurateur, Kamal grew up immersed in the world of hospitality, learning firsthand the values of exceptional food, gracious service, and genuine care for guests that have defined The Refectory for more than five decades.The Refectory has become a Columbus institution known for its refined French cuisine, world-class wine program, and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Under Kamal’s leadership, the restaurant continues to honor its traditions while evolving with the city’s vibrant culinary scene.Kamal is deeply committed to the idea that a restaurant is more than a place to dine; it is a place where memories are made. Over the years, he has had the privilege of welcoming generations of guests celebrating life’s milestones, from engagements and anniversaries to family gatherings and business celebrations.“The most important memories of the Refectory are not about the food, although we are avid fans of Chef Blondin's menus (the lamb chops and pear tart simply cannot be found elsewhere, and the mussel soup is legendary!),” said Mark and Dana Gillis, longtime guests of The Refectory. “Our fondest memories of our Refectory experiences are those in which Kamal stops by at the end of the evening. Always humble and gracious, we are ever honored by his masterful storytelling. We have been fortunate to be included in important events in Kamal's life and take great joy in the anecdotes and personal accounts he chooses to share with us.But more vital are the life lessons Kamal has taught us and continues to teach his staff and his guests. Be kind. Work hard. Do your best. Be honest. Make others feel important. Treat everyone with respect. Love and honor your parents. These are not served on the Refectory menu, but we have been grateful to receive them as part of our dinner service for many, many years.”Known for his humility and dedication to his team, Kamal credits The Refectory’s longevity to its talented Chef, exceptional Associates, a committed Family, and loyal Guests who have supported the restaurant throughout the years. His goal remains the same today as itwas when he first began: to create an extraordinary dining experience that reflects both culinary excellence and genuine hospitality.

What role does music play in bringing a community together? In this episode of Yes, Columbus, Boxer and Sarah welcome Maureen O’Brien, President and CEO of the Columbus Symphony, to celebrate the organization’s 75th anniversary. Together, they discuss the Symphony’s rich history, its impact on Columbus’ cultural landscape and the ways it continues to inspire audiences through performance, education and community engagement.Maureen O'Brien, Columbus Symphony, CEO With a distinguished background in arts leadership and a deep-rooted passion for community engagement, Maureen O'Brien joined the Columbus Symphony as CEO in July 2025. In her new leadership role, O'Brien oversees all dimensions of CSO's operations and is spearheading an ambitious campaign to build a new home for the orchestra.Previously, she held various roles at New World Symphony in Miami, most recently as Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement where she led a comprehensive $150 million campaign and oversaw fundraising, marketing, communications, audience engagement and guest services. Prior to that, O'Brien was part of the founding team of the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix and has also held positions in New York City at Midori & Friends and Orchestra of St. Luke’s.A passionate musician herself, O'Brien's roots in music - from learning piano from her mother (a piano teacher), to playing the flute and singing in choirs - shape her leadership style. She holds a double major in Music and French, is an avid learner of Spanish, and enjoys dancing Argentine tango. A Certified Fund-Raising Executive, she has taught atArizona State University and Prescott College and as part of New World Symphony and Sphinx LEAD's Fellowship curricula. She was a featured speaker at the Association Francaise des Fundraisers' conference in Paris, a presenter at the CASE Winter Institute for Chief Development Officers, a panelist with Philanthropy Miami and CFO Arts Conference, and a speaker with Leadership Miami, a program of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal as a member of the 2015 “40 Under 40” class, she is also a graduate of Valley Leadership Class 33

For 150 years, North Market has been at the heart of Columbus’ food scene — supporting local businesses, entrepreneurs and community through unforgettable food. In this episode of Yes, Columbus, Boxer and Sarah sit down with Rick Harrison Wolfe, Executive Director of North Market, to celebrate the market’s milestone anniversary and discuss its lasting impact on the city. From the evolution of the Downtown market to Bridge Park and the future Merchant Building, Rick shares how North Market continues to grow while staying true to the spirit that has made it a Columbus staple for generations.Rick Harrison Wolfe, Executive Director, is responsible for leading North Market Downtown + North Market Bridge Park and developing their position within the communities they serve. Rick focuses on long term strategic planning, creative direction, fundraising, community liaison activities and business development. Prior to joining North Market in May 2013, Rick created an independent branding consulting agency, The Wolfe Group LTD. Along with that, he moved to Columbus via Los Angeles bringing “The Cheesy Truck,” an LA style gourmet mobile food truck that he created and founded. While in Los Angeles, Rick held the position of Vice President of Brand Development at Skechers USA, and also worked in sales and management for Cole Haan and Donald J Pliner. Rick attended the University of Cincinnati, majoring in Communication and resides in downtown Columbus and Hocking Hills.