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Distinguished | Hospitality Leadership Podcast with Arun Upneja, dean emeritus
What does it take to lead in one of the world's most dynamic industries? Distinguished brings you unfiltered conversations with the executives, founders, general managers, and investors who are shaping the future of global hospitality.
Hosted by Dean Arun Upneja of Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration, each episode goes beyond the headlines to tackle the real challenges facing hospitality leaders today from hotel operations and restaurant innovation to talent management, climate action, and the rise of AI and robotics across the industry.
Our guests represent every corner of hospitality: luxury hotels, independent restaurants, travel and tourism, entertainment venues, and more. They bring hard-won insight, bold ideas, and the kind of candor you won't find in a boardroom.
Whether you're a seasoned hospitality professional, an emerging leader, or simply passionate about the industry, Distinguished is your front-row seat to the conversations that matter.
Follow Distinguished on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen and join a growing community of hospitality leaders who never stop learning.
Distinguished | Hospitality Leadership Podcast with Arun Upneja, dean emeritus
Latest Episodes
Chompon “Boong” Boonnak’s Imaginative Take on Thai Food Earns Michelin Recognition and Fuels New Ventures
When the Michelin Guide included Boston for the first time, one of the restaurants it recognized was Mahaniyom, a 35-seat Thai restaurant in Brookline run by Chompon “Boong” Boonnak (BU MET’13) and...
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Beyond Table Stakes: Staying Power and Growth of Himmel Hospitality Group, the Award-Winning Steakhouse
For more than four decades, Himmel Hospitality Group has been a standard bearer of Boston's culinary scene. Grill 23 & Bar has earned
Spencer Davidson: Why Main Street Is Winning Hotel Transactions in 2026
Wall Street is selling, Main Street is buying, and the space between is where the deals are getting done. This episode of the Distinguished Podcast was recorded on the road to the NYU International Hospit...
