Travel Unity Summit 2020
Reset & Rebuild: Advancing Travel Together
- Dates: October 19-23, 2020
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About the Summit
“Our participation with Travel Unity demonstrates our commitment to improve our communications to potential travelers, avoid past mistakes and create more opportunities for our ethnically diverse citizens.”
Schedule Summary
Monday, October 19, 2020
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TIME
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TOPIC
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SPEAKER
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12:00 – 2:00 PM ET
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DEI and Visitorship in New York State
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Moderator:
Nicky Hylton-Patterson
Adirondack Diversity Initiative |
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2:00 – 4:00 PM ET
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Accessibility, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Tourism
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Host: Kathy West-Evans
Host: Cindy VandenBosch |
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FLASHTALKS
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Aliza Greenberg, Project Leader of Supporting Transitions, Museum, Arts, & Culture Access Consortium
Arturo Gaona, Head of Partnerships & Founding Team, Wheel the World Xian Horn, Journalist, Disability/Beauty Advocate, and Teacher |
Session Details
DEI and Visitorship in New York State
A welcome from I LOVE New York, followed by featured speakers from NYS Parks, NYS Division of Human Rights, NYS DEC, and NYSTIA, followed by a dialogue with attendees moderated by Adirondack Diversity Initiative Director Nicky Hylton-Patterson.
Invite-only session
Email summit@travelunity.org to request an invitation.
Accessibility, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Tourism
Free session
Learn about NET, the national network of the 78 public Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs from across all of the United States, and their work connecting businesses with qualified applicants and support services.
NET – National Employment Team and Hands On at the Hyatt
John Ficca, Director, Hands On Education
Mark Havard, Area Director of Human Resources
Andrew Basch, Chef, The Current Hotel, Tampa, FL – former Hands On Trainee
VR – State Level NET Members
California – Alia Kuraishi, Business Engagement Manager
Connecticut – Jonathan Richmond, VR Counselor Coordinator
Iowa – Michelle Krefft, Director of Business Relations
Nevada – Ken Pierson, Business Services Manager
Tuesday. October 20. 2020
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TIME
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TOPIC
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SPEAKER
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2:00 – 4:00 PM ET
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LGBTQ Lives: Talks & Tales (in partnership with Equality Florida)
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MC: Ernest White II
Rene Cantu Gina Duncan Ian Siljestrom Matt Skallerud Kelly Metzgar Rev. Brandan Robertson |
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4:00 – 6:00 PM ET
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Kickoff Networking Session (for speakers and pass-holders)
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Host: Kathy West-Evans
Host: Cindy VandenBosch |
LGBTQ Lives: Talks & Tales (in partnership with Equality Florida)
MC: Ernest White II
Learn more about:
Cultural competency in the areas of LGBTQ issues as it relates to on-the-job. An understanding of those issues which fall into the category of ‘not knowing what you don’t know’ about being LGBTQ at work and in the world. An understanding of those same issues for customers/visitors/travelers who are LGBTQ. The challenges faced by LGBTQ youth in the schools. Awareness of Equality Florida’s customized training programs available to companies around the country.
The Economic Case for LGBTQ Equality in the Workplace
Rene Cantu of Equality Florida shares reliable stats on why workplace protections are good for a company/business, including analysis on HRC’s A Workplace Divided survey, which focuses on workplace attitudes of both LGBT and non-LGBT respondents.
The Dynamics of Transitioning in the Workplace
Gina Duncan, Diversity Trainer gives an aerial view of some of the issues that need to be addressed by communities and workplaces that seek to be supportive of someone transitioning.
Safe and Healthy Schools
Ian Siljestrom from Equality Florida shares the tools necessary to be good allies to LGBTQ youth.
Traveling While Gay
Matt Skallerud, President of Pink Media, shares thoughts on how gay culture transcends boundaries, allowing the LGBTQ community to tap into social bonds and learn about the world through shared and personal priorities and values.
Traveling While Trans
Laugh and smile as Kelly Metzgar, Executive Director of Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance, shares her stories about traveling while trans.
DevOUT: The Journey of LGBTQ+ People of Faith
Rev. Brandan Robertson will give insight into the experience of LGBT+ people of faith and special considerations and challenges they may experience traveling- especially on religiously themed vacations or pilgrimage.
Kickoff Networking Session (for speakers and pass-holders)
Wednesday. October 21. 2020
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TIME
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TOPIC
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10:00 AM ET
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Presentation on Travel Unity’s DEI Standards for Travel & Tourism // DEI in Travel Industry Data Benchmarks // Introduction to Future of Tourism Coalition
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10:30 AM ET
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DEI Flash Talks and ‘Belonging’ Panel
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12:30 PM ET
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Preparing Communities to Host Destination Sports
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2:00 PM
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BREAKOUT TRACK #1 - Intersection of Sustainability and DEI:
Integrating DEI in the Tourism Supply Chain BREAKOUT TRACK #2 - DEI in the Workplace: Empowering Employees to Bring Their Best Selves to Work |
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3:30 PM
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BREAKOUT TRACK #1 - Intersection of Sustainability and DEI:
Sustainability in a Mid & Post-Covid World BREAKOUT TRACK #2 - DEI in the Workplace: Women in the Outdoors |
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5:00 PM
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BREAKOUT TRACK #1 - Intersection of Sustainability and DEI:
Building Bridges Not Barriers: Including Marginalized Communities in Tourism BREAKOUT TRACK #2 - DEI in the Workplace: How to Bring DEI Dialogues into the Workspace |
Presentation on Travel Unity’s DEI Standards for Travel & Tourism // DEI in Travel Industry Data Benchmarks // Introduction to Future of Tourism Coalition
Roni Weiss, Travel Unity, Executive Director
Travel Unity’s Executive Director, Roni Weiss, will give a presentation on the process and ideas behind the organization’s publicly available DEI Standards for Travel & Tourism.
Larissa Hunt, Envirosell, Director of Data & Methodology
Then, Larissa Hunt of Envirosell, a market research firm with 30+ years of experience, will talk about research the company will be conducting in partnership with Travel Unity and the global travel industry.
Jeremy Sampson, The Travel Foundation, CEO
Finally, Jeremy Sampson of The Travel Foundation will introduce the audience to the Future of Tourism Coalition, explaining how it is approaching DEI.
DEI Flash Talks and ‘Belonging’ Panel
Introduction:
Paloma Zapata, CEO, Sustainable Travel International
DEI Flash Talks
MC: Kameelah Benjamin-Fuller, former Director of ED + I, TripAdvisor
Kameelah Benjamin-Fuller, former Director of Equity, Diversity + Inclusion at Tripadvisor, facilitates flash talks of DEI bright spots in the world of travel and tourism.
Sara Emmert, I Love NY, Director of Tourism Policy Initiatives
Sara Emmert from I Love NY will discuss the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion in I Love NY marketing and programming, specifically as it pertains to the Division of Tourism’s newest program: Accessible NY.
Tanya Acosta, Sensory City, Executive Director
Shuchi Vyas, GuestBox, CEO and Founder
Paras Loomba, Founder, Global Himalayan Expedition
Natalie Ringsmuth, #unitecloud, Executive Director
Justine Abigail Yu, Living Hyphen, Founder & Editor
Kameelah Benjamin-Fuller, former Director of Equity, Diversity + Inclusion at Tripadvisor, facilitates flash talks of DEI bright spots in the world of travel and tourism.
Belonging: Embracing Personal Journeys in the Professional World
Moderator: Kameelah Benjamin-Fuller, former Director of ED + I, TripAdvisor
What can the travel industry, its thousands of companies, and its millions of members do to make travel welcoming to people of all backgrounds and abilities?
The moderator, Kameelah Benjamin-Fuller, and global panelists will share their passions and journeys in travel and DEI, along with how we can work together to make post-pandemic travel more inclusive than ever before.
Neha Arora, Planet Abled, Founder
Danny Guerrero, MMGY Global, VP, North America Strategy, Co-Chair, Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Council
David Naczycz, North America Tour Hub, Co-Founder
John Tanzella, IGLTA, President/CEO
Preparing Communities to Host Destination Sporting Events
Preparing Communities to Host Destination Sporting Events
A session aimed at those who want to bring destination sporting events to their locale in a manner that supports and uplifts local communities, as well as the participating athletes and their families.
Moderator: Don McPherson
Kelly Murumets, former President and CEO, Tennis Canada
Nicky Hylton-Patterson, Adirondack Diversity Initiative, Director
Cameron Myler, Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU and four-time Olympian
Al Kidd, Sports Events and Tourism Association, CEO & President
Integrating DEI in the Tourism Supply Chain
BREAKOUT TRACK #1: Intersection of Sustainability and DEI – 2:00 PM ET
Integrating DEI in the Tourism Supply Chain
Introduction by CREST
A discussion about how various types of travel and hospitality businesses can utilize and influence their supply chains to create a more holistically sustainable, inclusive, and equitable tourism space.
Key takeaways:
What responsible sourcing means and why it is important; managing DEI in a changing environment
How supplier diversity is linked to sustainability
Case studies and ideas for best practices in implementing DEI initiatives in a tourism/hospitality business
Moderator: Chi Lo
Sonja Gaudet
Denise Naguib
Jamie Sweeting
Empowering Employees to Bring Their Best Selves to Work
BREAKOUT TRACK #2: DEI in the Workplace – 2:00 PM ET
Empowering Employees to Bring Their Best Selves to Work
Positive employee experiences can create a tremendous impact on your organization.
Higher retention rates, innovation, and an overall increase in revenue are just a few examples of how your company can benefit from placing a high value on your employees. Our panelists will discuss how this can be done in a way that champions diverse and inclusive practices.
Learn:
How to develop a growth mindset that encourages authentic self-expression
Practical ways to promote inclusive practices in the workplace
How to harness empathy as a tool for empowering staff from a wide variety of backgrounds
Moderator: Sophia Hyder Hock, Papilia, Founder/CEO
Kelly Metzgar, Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance, Executive Director
James Edward Mills
Catarina Rivera
Emily Washcovick, Yelp, Senior Field Marketing Manager
Sustainability in a Mid & Post-Covid World
BREAKOUT TRACK #1: Intersection of Sustainability and DEI – 3:30 PM ET
Sustainability in a Mid & Post-Covid World
BIPOC communities are disproportionately affected by economic and environmental issues – the very problems sustainability-focused professionals are trying to mend. Sustainability is intrinsically linked to diversity and inclusion efforts. And yet, far too often, underrepresented communities are left out of the conversation on building a stronger, more sustainable industry.
Join Impact Travel Alliance’s founder for an introduction on the intersection of sustainability, DEI, and tourism, followed by case studies from leading tourism professionals pushing for a more sustainable industry through the lens of social justice, followed by flash talks from experts from across the world of sustainable travel.
MC: Kelley Louise, Impact Travel Alliance, Sustainability in a Mid & Post-Covid World
Caitlin Graaf
Adrianne Chandra-Huff
Vincie Ho
Alanah Keddell-Tuckey
Cassia Patel
Ella Békési
Jaclyn Yost
Women in the Outdoors
BREAKOUT TRACK #2: DEI in the Workplace – 3:30 PM ET
Laurel Remus, Women in the Outdoors
While women make up 46% of people participating in the outdoors, they’re poorly represented in the outdoor industry’s marketing, strategy, and leadership.
In this eye-opening panel moderated by Wanderful Founder and CEO Beth Santos we’ll talk with three experts who have spent years in different segments of the outdoor industry. Attendees can expect to get a better understanding of the real problems at hand and what our responsibilities are as members of the travel and outdoor worlds to do something about it.
What We’ll Discuss:
Why women are underrepresented in the outdoors even though they make up such a large part of the industry
How destinations and travel marketers can adjust their messaging and offerings to be more inclusive
What we can do to build better representation for women in the outdoors
Moderator:
Beth Santos
Benita Law-Diao
Kris Millgate
Building Bridges Not Barriers: Including Marginalized Communities in Tourism
BREAKOUT TRACK #1: Intersection of Sustainability and DEI – 5:00 PM ET
Building Bridges Not Barriers: Including Marginalized Communities in Tourism
Historically marginalized populations have often been overlooked or ignored in the tourism process. Much has been said about how communities must prepare for tourism but much less about how tourism must work not only to include traditionally marginalized populations but more importantly, how these communities may opt-in (or out) of tourism in their communities.
As COVID-19, and the measures being implemented to contain it, are deeply affecting our social and economic global situation, it is time to reconsider how marginalized populations are included in the recovery of the tourism sector.
Our panel of experts will share their experiences and thoughts on how tourism cam recover in a more equitable fashion so that those voices that are often overlooked may be included, if not lead, the tourism process in their own communities.
Moderator: Dr. Kristin Lamoureux
Yusuf Abdul-Qadir
Randy Durband
Edward Hall III
Diana McIntyre-Pike
How to Bring DEI Dialogues into the Workspace
BREAKOUT TRACK #2: DEI in the Workplace – 5:00 PM ET
How to Bring DEI Dialogues into the Workspace
Tony Martin, Tripadvisor’s Equity, Diversity + Inclusion Program Manager, leads a session around how companies of all sizes can create climates where DEI can be addressed, with input from representatives from Intrepid Travel, Ma Cher, Tourism Cares, and Lucy Cevallos, Tripadvisor’s Latinx ERG Co-lead.
Moderator: Tony Martin
Michelle Angier Airbnb, Director of Diversity & Belonging
Lucy Cevallos, Tripadvisor, Product Manager | Latinx ERG Co-lead
Genevieve Lawrence, MaCher, Sustainability and Operations
Adrienne Lee, Tourism Cares, Director of Global Impact
Bex Shapiro, Intrepid Travel, Global Social Media Manager
Thursday. October 22. 2020
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TIME
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TOPIC
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10:00 AM ET
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A Conversation between Steve Johnson-Stevenson (Tourism Authority of Thailand) and Romey Louangvilay (Travel Unity)
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10:30 AM ET
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Reset & Rebuild: The Business Case for DEI
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12:30 PM ET
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Advocating for Visitors
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Marketing Track
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2:00 PM ET
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Resetting and Rebuilding Hospitality
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3:00 PM ET
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The Age of Authenticity in Marketing
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4:00 PM ET
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How Business Owners Should Address LGBTQ+ Travelers
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5:00 PM ET
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The Power of Inclusive Storytelling: What the Travel Media Needs to Know
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6:00 PM ET
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The Power of Influence – What’s The ROI and Does Race Play a Role in #Sponsored Posts?
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A Conversation between Steve Johnson-Stevenson (Tourism Authority of Thailand) and Romey Louangvilay (Travel Unity)
A Conversation between Steve Johnson-Stevenson (Tourism Authority of Thailand) and Romey Louangvilay (Travel Unity)
With more mainstream news outlets covering the importance of DEI, more DMOs and hospitality brands are taking note, especially as social injustices have been brought to light by people.
In this discussion hosted by TU’s board president, Romey Louangvilay, he’ll be joined by the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s NY Marketing Manager, Steve Johnson-Stevenson, to have an honest discussion around discrimination within the travel industry, incidents in Thailand that encouraged the tourism board to apply for certification, and how destinations can be more inclusive for all travelers, especially as we try to navigate a post-COVID tourism world.
Free session
Steve Johnson-Stevenson, Tourism Authority of Thailand, New York Office Marketing Manager
Romey Louangvilay, Travel Unity, Board President
Reset & Rebuild: The Business Case for DEI
Reset & Rebuild: The Business Case for DEI
While many people see the personal side of inclusion, it is also good business. This panel will discuss the many reasons that DEI is not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.
Norie Quintos, Editor at Large, National Geographic Travel Media
Greg Takehara, CEO, Tourism Cares
Tiffany Misrahi, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Vice President of Policy
Elliott Ferguson, President & CEO, Destination DC
John Sage, Accessible Travel Solutions, President
Advocating for Visitors
Advocating for Visitors
The travel industry bears a responsibility to the people it encourages to visit. How can travel companies think beyond their front desks and property lines, making sure that they are advocating for further aspects of how people experience places?
Peggy Bendel
Margie Jordan
Neha Arora
Billy Kolber
Donna Harrison
Resetting and Rebuilding Hospitality
Resetting and Rebuilding Hospitality
A hotel stay can provide much more than just a bed, allowing people to depart an accommodation feeling energized and recognized. This panel of travel professionals will discuss why now is the time to toss the throw pillows, expose the brick walls, and settle into storytelling.
Questions the session will address:
- Why is now the right time to change how hotels are operated and marketed?
- How can independent hoteliers leverage storytelling as the travel and hospitality industries are reset and rebuilt?
- What can hotels do to become true community partners?
Moderator: Amy Draheim
Damon Lawrence
Moniqua Lane
The Age of Authenticity in Marketing
The Age of Authenticity in Marketing
People say data drives business decisions, but how does that relate to diversity? This hands-on, interactive workshop is for brands that want to create and maintain an authentic connection to diverse audiences.
The following questions will be addressed:
- What influences how brands decide what diverse means?
- How does a brand effectively and authentically market to multiple audiences?
- What does a multicultural marketing strategy look like?
Juan C. Perez
How Business Owners Should Address LGBTQ+ Travelers
How Business Owners Should Address LGBTQ+ Travelers
When you think of the word LGBTQ+, gay is usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, the LGBTQ+ community is much bigger than that. Jason Marsden, EVP of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, will present about the hospitality and visitorship to people outside of the community with an emphasis on variety within the LGBTQ+ community. The conversation will address what many business owners commonly default to thinking in terms of gay, meanwhile other identities such as male bisexuality, non-binary and trans often go unseen. This discussion will address the addition of multiple letters into the LGBTQ+ acronym and the intention behind asking pronouns.
Jason Marsden, EVP of the Matthew Shepard Foundation
The Power of Inclusive Storytelling: What the Travel Media Needs to Know
The Power of Inclusive Storytelling: What the Travel Media Needs to Know
To change the world, we must begin by acknowledging the disparities that exist and taking action to improve them where we can. Much has been discussed about the lack of representation in the travel media. This interactive panel of travel storytellers will discuss:
- Why is inclusive storytelling important?
- What needs to be done to improve representation within the travel media?
- How do we encourage the next generation of storytellers?
- What role will technology play in the future of travel media?
- How can we challenge brands and DMOs to include more diverse voices?
Moderator: Shebs Alom
Jeannette Ceja
Sucheta Rawal
Stephanie Claytor
Jen Ruiz
Yasmine El Baggari
Mike Schibel
The Power of Influence – What’s The ROI and Does Race Play a Role in #Sponsored Posts?
The Power of Influence – What’s The ROI and Does Race Play a Role in #Sponsored Posts?
This panel will feature a conversation about the role influencers play in travel, as well as finding common ground around the question – should we have to pay influencers and what’s the ROI?, and dive deep into the disparity between the opportunities white influencers receive over BIPOC influencers.
The conversation will be between Romey Louangvilay, TU’s President of the Board of Director and Head of Communications for ELMNTL (Overseeing clients such as Tourism Authority of Thailand, ASEAN Tourism, and more) who will discuss when (And if) brands should pay for influencers, what influencers need to know to get hired, and if ethnicity and race play a role in that hiring.
Kinya Claiborne of Style and Society would provide insight into working with brands, how to measure ROI, and how you can change the narrative so you’re getting the same opportunities as your white counterparts. Valerie Wilson of Trusted Travel Girl will provide the other perspective on how white influencers can be better allies in helping change the narrative.
Moderator: Romey Louangvilay
Kinya Claiborne
Valerie Wilson
Friday. October 23. 2020
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TIME
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TOPIC
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10:00 AM ET
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Travel Inspiration, Youth, and Career and Technical Education Track
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10:00 AM ET
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Welcome from Travel Unity
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10:15 AM ET
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Travel Unity Youth Advisory Council (TUYAC) Presentation
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11:00 AM ET
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Travel Paths Presentations
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12PM - 1PM
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Career Readiness Session (including Mock Interviews and Resume Feedback in small online breakout rooms)
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2:00 PM ET
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Encouraging Youth toward Careers in Sports Management (in partnership with Ohio University’s Center for Sports Administration)
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Travel Inspiration, Youth, and Career and Technical Education Track
MC: Dr. Damien L. Duchamp
Friday’s sessions are free to all.
Educators and community groups can contact summit@travelunity.org to arrange for multiple participants.
10:00 AM ET – Welcome from Travel Unity
10:15 AM ET – Travel Unity Youth Advisory Council (TUYAC) Presentation
11:00 AM ET – Travel Paths Presentations
Chi Lo
Kate McCulley
Justa Lujwangana
Lauren K. Clark
Laurita Tellado
Micah B. Lewis
Martinique Lewis
Career Readiness Session (including Mock Interviews and Resume Feedback in small online breakout rooms)
Career Readiness Session (including Mock Interviews and Resume Feedback in small online breakout rooms)
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82169294327
Must pre-register for this session.
Use code ‘WBL’ or click here to sign up.
Encouraging Youth toward Careers in Sports
Encouraging Youth toward Careers in Sports Management (in partnership with Ohio University’s Center for Sports Administration)
A session focused on bridging sports and tourism, and how we can encourage career opportunities within, especially for youth.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89870489911
Session Co-Host:
Bob Boland, Penn State University Athletics Integrity Officer
Session Co-Host:
Danny Mendoza, Richmond Hill High School, Class of 2021
Featuring:
Dr. Heather Lawrence-Benedict, Ohio University, Professor, Sports Administration
Jose Duverge, The Players’ Tribune, Director, Brand Partnerships
Speakers & Moderators
Speaker Bios
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Silver Sponsors
“We are excited to have the Travel Unity Summit in the region. Any time the area can facilitate conversations about diversity and accessibility it benefits all our destinations. We look forward to this conference being the beginning of a continued conversation.”
Charinya Kiatlapnachai, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand’s New York Office
Tripadvisor is proud to support the 2020 Virtual Travel Unity Summit. As a company we are committed to using our portfolio of brands, scale as a platform, and our global influence to better serve and lift the diverse voices of travelers and diners everywhere. We are excited to partner with Travel Unity in the movement to reset and rebuild – advancing travel together!
Tony Martin, Equity, Diversity+Inclusion Program Manager at Tripadvisor
Testimonials from the 2019 Travel Unity Summit
“Thank you once again for selecting an excellent group of people. The Summit was brilliant!”
Elizabeth McAndrew, Marketing for New York State Canal Corporation
“Excellent content at the Travel Unity Summit. Informative, motivational, moving.”
Greg Marshall, Former Sr. Vice President/Director of Marketing Visit Rochester
Hosting Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Sponsors and Partners
Summit Highlights
Video Highlights
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