The Heart of San Francisco Hospitality

In this special edition of What One Thing?, Smart Meetings flips the script and “interviews” the city of San Francisco by talking with two of the people who define its spirit. First, Anna Marie Presutti, CEO of SF Travel, shares her journey from Midwest roots to boutique hotels, culminating in her leadership of the city’s destination marketing efforts. She discusses how San Francisco shaped her as a leader, why inclusivity has always been the heart of the city and the surprising Charles Barkley moment that turned into a powerful lesson in civic pride. Presutti also highlights the city’s resurgence, from Union Square’s revival to major events like the World Cup, Super Bowl and the strongest convention season since the pandemic.

Then, we hear from Gary Murakami, vice president of global sales and industry relations at Teneo Hospitality Group and a longtime champion of Northern California’s hospitality community. Murakami reflects on why San Francisco has always been his “North Star,” how its neighborhoods and hotels continuously reinvent themselves and why authenticity and belonging remain the city’s greatest assets. Together, their perspectives offer a vibrant portrait of a place that is constantly evolving yet unmistakably itself.

Host: JT Long

Producer: Eming Piansay

Transcript

JT Long
Welcome back to the What One Thing podcast, a Smart Meetings pod dedicated to talking to brilliant people about the one thing that made the difference in their lives and careers. And we’re going to do something different today. We are interviewing the city of San Francisco by interviewing the people who make it a vibrant place to live and do business. And we’re starting off here with Anna Marie Presutti. She is the CEO of SF Travel. Welcome, Anna Marie.

Anna Marie Presutti
Thank you so much for having me. That is such a great introduction. I feel like we should just stop right here.

JL
We’re just getting started, darling. I know you from your time at Hotel Nikko, where you were really the heart and soul there. How did you come to San Francisco and how did it win your heart?

AMP
I came here like a lot of hoteliers do. Back in the day, we used to get transferred around a lot. If you wanted a bigger hotel, you had to get moved to that bigger hotel. I was a regional sales VP when I landed here. Then I went to work for Kimpton Hotels as an area person. Kimpton had such a massive footprint in the boutique space. I had never worked in boutique before, only big brands. So it was a shift for me.

And what I learned is that boutique is scrappy. The front desk manager is also the general manager who is also the head housekeeper. It made me realize those little hotels are the little hotels that can. It’s a community effort every day. I learned so much from that and carried it with me even when I moved back into luxury.

Eventually, I went to Nikko and headed up their GSO for Nikko Hotels International. One thing led to another and I ended up leading the charge there. I’ve been all over the hotel space, big and small. Those experiences shaped how I approach everything today. When I got to the luxury space, I still behaved the Kimpton way. Roll up your sleeves and dig in.

JL
Our founder, Marin Bright, spent her life traveling with her father, who was a geologist. When she came to San Francisco, she knew she had found her home. What told you that San Francisco was your place?

AMP
I grew up in the Midwest, and coming to San Francisco was eye-opening. The diversity, the food, the arts — everything opened my eyes. People come here because you can truly be accepted for who you are. I was embraced immediately. Anytime you feel included — in a friend group, in an industry — you gravitate toward that. It was easy to be here. I knew this is where I needed to be.

JL
San Francisco has always had that energy. What impact does its history have on hospitality today?

AMP
People came here struggling through the Gold Rush, and honestly, we still behave that way — constantly evolving. Look at the dot-com era, the boom and bust. Now we’re the AI capital of the world. When we say it all starts here, it really does.

People don’t realize that everything they do probably started in San Francisco — picking up an iPhone, calling an Uber, ordering DoorDash, logging onto social media, putting on Levi’s. We lead the way. And in hospitality, our product is second to none. As a DMO, I’m blessed. You can go to any hotel here and have a great experience.

JL
Talk about your transition from hotelier to CEO of SF Travel.

AMP
I came in as interim because I was chairman of the board. I had no intention of staying. I kept saying, “Where are we in the search? I need to get back to my real job.” But I felt the needle move. I felt like I was having an impact. Maybe this is the right last chapter. Things happen for a reason.

JL
You and Lori make such a great team. I’ve heard you tell the Charles Barkley story. Will you share it?

AMP
I’ll give you the short version. When the Warriors were in the finals, Charles Barkley and the broadcast team were staying at the Nikko. He kept calling San Francisco a “dirty ass city” on air. I thought someone needed to say something.

I ran into him in the lobby and asked how his stay was. He said, “It’s great. I love this city.” I told him it didn’t sound like that on the air. I explained that his comments don’t hurt me or the mayor — we still show up for work tomorrow. But it might hurt the housekeeper or banquet server whose livelihood depends on visitors. He said, “I’ll do better.”

Later, he visited Glide Memorial and donated $250,000. If San Francisco can turn around Charles Barkley, that says a lot.

JL
There’s a lot to love about San Francisco right now. What does Union Square feel like today?

AMP
It’s popping again. New retail, new restaurants — Michael Mina’s new space at the Westin St. Francis, Tyler Florence’s restaurants. Union Square is coming back to life. Moscone has never looked better. The mayor has transformed the area. It feels good. It feels light.

Winterfest is coming with the ice rink, and we’re debuting our Rose Parade float with the Painted Ladies. We’ll even install a Painted Lady in Union Square so visitors can help decorate the float. Innovation like that is what makes this city amazing.

JL
And 2026 is huge. What’s ahead?

AMP
We’re the only city ever to host a Super Bowl and a World Cup in the same year. Add the NCAA tournament, a massive convention season, almost 700,000 citywide room nights. International visitors are returning. It will be a fantastic year. We’ll be tired, but it will be great.

JL
Now the hardest question: What’s the one thing that makes San Francisco unlike any other?

AMP
Inclusivity. No matter who you are or where you’re from, you are welcomed here. That’s what makes San Francisco special.

JL
Thank you for making everyone feel so welcome. And thank you for being on What One Thing.

AMP
Thank you so much. I enjoy talking to you all the time.

Gary Murakami Segment

JT Long
We are interviewing the city of San Francisco by talking to the fabulous people who are in it. With me is Gary Murakami, vice president of global sales and industry relations at Teneo Hospitality Group. He also serves on the board for MPI Foundation, chairs the advisory board for SEMA and is the chapter president for the new SITE Northern California chapter.

Gary Murakami
JT, thank you so much for inviting me. I’m excited to be here.

JL
I went to a recent SITE Northern California meeting all about the vibe in San Francisco. What does it feel like to be in the city right now?

GM
It’s an exciting time. As a 20-year resident, seeing the city revitalize and reinvent itself has been inspiring. Every time I return from a trip, it envelopes me — warm, welcoming, familiar.

JL
You’ve been everywhere — Beverly Hills, MGM. What role did San Francisco play in your journey?

GM
San Francisco was always a place of possibilities. A place of belonging. It’s not just the history or the hotels; it’s the diversity, the welcoming nature. The city doesn’t just welcome the world — it reflects the world. That was my beacon. I wanted to build my hospitality career here.

JL
Reinvention is everywhere — historic hotels, new concepts. Talk about that transformation.

GM
Under our collection alone, we’ve seen evolution — the Beacon Grand, formerly the Sir Francis Drake; the Vitale becoming 1 Hotel San Francisco. But this is true across the city. Hotels are embracing innovation, design and sustainability. The dining scene is phenomenal. Reinvention is part of our identity.

JL
And the beauty never gets old.

GM
Never. Pilots sometimes circle the city, and seeing it from above puts everything in perspective. I travel constantly, but coming home to San Francisco always means something.

JL
So here’s the hard question. What is the one thing that makes San Francisco special?

GM
Authenticity. Come as you are. Be who you are. Celebrate who you are. That authenticity defines our hospitality ecosystem and why people love this city.

JL
Perfectly said. Thank you for being on What One Thing.

GM
Thank you, JT.