In Episode 3 of The Owner’s Lounge, host Sandip Patel sits down with Utica Mayor Mike Galime for a wide-ranging conversation that proves hotels and hospitality are about much more than heads in beds. From tourism’s impact on local economies to the growing challenges of Airbnbs, minimum wage hikes, and insurance costs, this episode shines a spotlight on how city leadership and hotel owners can work together to build stronger communities.

Mayor Galime talks openly about Utica’s vision for tourism development, the role of events like tournaments at the Nexus Center, and why a new citywide bed tax is on the table. The discussion dives into workforce development too—imagine a training hub right in Utica designed to prepare the next generation of hospitality professionals. And yes, they tackle the elephant in the room: leveling the playing field between hotels and short-term rentals like Airbnb.

This episode is a must-listen for hotel owners, local business leaders, and anyone curious about how tourism dollars flow back into city life. It’s part policy talk, part inside scoop, and all about finding balance between growth and fairness in the hospitality space.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

• How tourism generates billions for New York State and why Utica is leaning into it
• Mayor Galime’s take on minimum wage increases and their impact on local businesses
• The push to regulate and tax Airbnbs fairly alongside hotels
• Why workforce development and hospitality training could be a game-changer
• How bed taxes, lobbying, and local partnerships shape the future of tourism in Utica

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