The Guest List, a Delaware North podcast

What does it take to launch an entirely new hospitality brand at the doorstep of one of America’s most iconic national parks? In the latest episode of The Guest List, Brett Archer, general manager of Waybound Yosemite and Tenaya at Yosemite, joins hosts Cait Zulewski (vice president of communications) and Charlie Roberts (senior director of communications) to discuss the debut of Waybound Yosemite, the first property under Delaware North’s new Waybound lodging brand.  Archer shares the vision behind Waybound and how the former Explorer Cabins were transformed into a reimagined outdoor lodging experience centered on connection, comfort and a strong sense of place. From the creation of The Commons gathering space to daily “Waybound Moments,” the conversation explores how the brand is designed to help guests connect more deeply with Yosemite, the Sierra Nevada landscape and each other.

Katie Gorman, vice president of corporate affairs, discusses how Delaware North’s approach to community giving traces its roots to the values established by the Jacobs family and Chairman Jeremy Jacobs early in his tenure as CEO. She also highlights the many ways that commitment comes to life today – from financial contributions and food donations to in-kind support and volunteerism by team members across the company. 

Jill Eden, vice president of marketing for Gaming, and Lee Terfloth, chief interactive gaming officer, recently joined The Guest List podcast to talk about the rebranding of Delaware North’s Gaming subsidiary as Ember Entertainment™.
The rebrand features the Ember Rewards™ customer loyalty program, Ember Casino™ for online gaming and Ember Sportsbook™ for online sports betting in several states, as well as Ember Jackpot Casino™, Delaware North’s online social casino. 

Kevin Doherty, a longtime executive chef at TD Garden and regional executive chef for Sportservice who now serves as Delaware North’s director of culinary, recently joined The Guest List podcast.
Doherty spoke with hosts Cait Zulewski, vice president of communications, and Charlie Roberts, director of communications, about a range of topics – including his career path and his role as a mentor to Delaware North culinarians through the Culinary & Hospitality Excellence for Future Success (CHEFS™) program.
He also reflected on earning a bronze medal at the 2008 Culinary Olympics and being encouraged by Delaware North’s former corporate chef, Roland Henin, to pursue master chef certification – widely considered the most rigorous culinary practical assessment in the United States. Henin, who retired from Delaware North in 2016, was among only 65 people at the time to hold the certified master chef designation.

In celebration of Women’s History Month in March, RISE, Delaware North’s Team Member Resource Group for women and allies, hosted a special lunch-and-learn and podcast crossover event March 25: a live edition of “The Guest List” from The HUB at corporate headquarters, which was also livestreamed for all team members. Delaware North podcast host Cait Zulewski, vice president of communications, led a candid conversation with Beth MacDonald, senior vice president of strategy and finance, about her 26-year career with Delaware North, including how she built breadth of experience through various roles, rose to new challenges and found balance in achieving personal and professional fulfillment.

John (JK) Kolaski, president of Patina Group, joins “The Guest List,” Delaware North’s podcast hosted by Corporate Communications’ Cait Zulewski and Charlie Roberts, to discuss the vision for Hencraft (Patina Group's new fast-casual chicken restaurant in downtown Buffalo) and what went into launching a new brand from the ground up. Zulewski and Roberts then took the podcast into Hencraft to catch up with Piuggi, who covered the out-of-this-galaxy menu.

Sportservice – Delaware North’s sports hospitality business – is led by a new leadership team with deep industry experience and a clear eye on what’s next. On the latest episode of The Guest List, Sportservice President Tom Barney and Chief Operating Officer Adrian Dishington reflect on their early months in their roles and the momentum building across the business.

Derek Zwickey, chief operating officer of Delaware North’s Parks and Resorts business, joined hosts Cait Zulewski and Charlie Roberts on “The Guest List” podcast to preview a packed year ahead. 
Zwickey discussed the excitement surrounding the launch of Artemis II at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the strength of the company’s retail business, the expanding use of technology and the introduction of the Waybound alternative lodging brand at Tenaya at Yosemite.

To celebrate International Chefs Day on Oct. 20, the latest episode of “The Guest List” features a conversation with Lou Piuggi, vice president of culinary, and host Charlie Roberts, director of communications.  This episode covers a variety of topics, including Piuggi’s culinary principles, mentorship and a sneak peek at a chicken sandwich from Hencraft – a concept currently under development by Delaware North’s Patina Group.