Watch the event recording here!
In the expectation that the Downtown Overlay will be approved by the City Council two evenings earlier, the proposed hotel developer and operator will talk to Know Before You Grow about the next step, the anticipated April 22 Planning Commission hearing on the site plan and architecture.
Given the ongoing community debate about the Overlay and the hotel, this KBYG forum will likely be well-attended. So we ask for three favors:
(1) attend in person so you can gather the full flavor of the issues.
(2) Arrive early so the forum can begin on time and cover maximum ground.
(3) Understand that the evening is about education more than advocacy, learning all you can about the factors that affect the design so your public comment to the Planning Commission can have maximum impact.
To allow the Q&A to cover the maximum ground, we’ll ask that all questions be submitted in writing on forms available at the forum. If time permits, verbal questions will also be allowed at the end of the evening.
Speakers
Charlie Palmer | CEO and Co-Founder of Appellation Hotels
Charlie Palmer is a renowned chef, hospitality entrepreneur, and hotelier known for his Progressive American cuisine — bold flavors rooted in classical French technique. Raised on a farm in upstate New York and trained at The Culinary Institute of America, he launched his flagship Michelin-starred restaurant Aureole in 1988 and has since built the Charlie Palmer Collective with acclaimed restaurants across the U.S. As CEO of Appellation Hotels, he's pioneering a culinary-first hotel brand with several California properties in development. A longtime philanthropist and founder of The Palmer Family Education Foundation, he supports culinary education and local communities through initiatives like the annual Pigs & Pinot event. Honored by the James Beard Foundation and inducted into multiple halls of fame, Palmer also serves as Culinary Ambassador to top vineyards and co-produces Charlie Clay Pinot Noir. He splits his time between New York and Healdsburg, CA, where he remains deeply committed to food, family, and mentorship.
Christopher Hunsberger | Co-Founder & COO of Appellation Hotels
Christopher Hunsberger is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Appellation, the first hotel brand born from the merger of culinary and hospitality. He brings with him 35 years of luxury hotel operations and management experience at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. During his tenure there, Christopher served in multiple roles spanning from General Manager to President of Hotel Operations for the Americas and Global Executive Vice President of Human Resources. He also led the Innovation Practice as Vice President of Innovation which led to new developments in the areas of information technology, food & beverage management, and service standards and deployment. Christopher maintains a service-forward approach not just in the guest experience but in employee relations as well. He’s a solution-oriented leader with a keen eye for detail–the perfect architect for Appellation’s approachable luxury positioning in the market.
Tom Jacobson | SVP of Development at EKN
Tom Jacobson has built a distinguished career in real estate development across the United States, with a strong foundation in hospitality and a focus on resort destinations and sophisticated mixed-use projects. Beginning as a development manager with Marriott, he gained hands-on experience in asset acquisition and project management through all phases of design and construction. As Regional Vice President at Intrawest Corporation, he discovered his passion for community development, which he has continued to pursue through the successful execution of large-scale commercial and residential projects valued in the hundreds of millions. Now serving as SVP of Development at EKN Development Group, Tom oversees complex developments from planning through occupancy, ensuring they are delivered on time, on budget, and to high standards. He brings strategic leadership, a collaborative mindset, and deep expertise in site analysis, acquisitions, economic incentive structuring, and stakeholder management. With a Bachelor’s and MBA in Finance from Brigham Young University, Tom combines financial acumen with a talent for transforming vision into vibrant places that serve both communities and investors.