The third Travel Unity event held specifically in the Southeast region, but the very first to take place in Mississippi. The summit convened hospitality operators, destination managers, and community leaders to share collaborative approaches to inclusive tourism.
Moving beyond words and theories to tackle the real, practical work of embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion directly into strategic management, operational execution, and community impact.
The future of travel resilience relies on welcoming a majority-minority demographic.
At every Travel Unity Summit, participants come together to tackle how to go beyond words and ideas, moving forward on the real work that it takes to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into strategic planning and implementation.
Travel Unity Summits are for destination marketers, members of the travel industry interested in learning more about applied DEI, economic development professionals who see the value of tourism, and individuals who want to make sure their communities are welcoming to people of all backgrounds and abilities.
We’re excited to be hosting our 2024 Southeast Summit in Jackson, Mississippi. This event will consist of:
An Industry Conference that brings together not only the travel industry but also individuals and organizations interested in making communities more welcoming to people of all backgrounds and abilities
A Youth Summit aimed at giving students first-hand knowledge of careers in the travel industry and opportunities to learn about DEI and connect with peers from other schools, backgrounds, and abilities.
Moving beyond conceptual goals to embed measurable diversity, equity, and inclusion metrics into real-world operational planning.
Strategies for travel chambers, visitor bureaus, and small businesses to maintain their commitment to inclusion amidst evolving economic and social landscapes.
Addressing how visitor experiences, travel activities, and destination accessibility intersect with a traveler’s individual and diverse identities.
The Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau, dba Visit Jackson, is the official destination marketing organization for the City of Jackson. It serves the Jackson community by positively impacting the city’s economy through recruitment and securing meetings and tourism activities.
We are thrilled to collaborate with Visit Jackson because they are strongly committed to representing and maintaining the diversity of ideas, cultures, and lifestyles in the Jackson community.
Executive Director of Travel Unity; led strategic roundtables focused on the ongoing development and global expansion of Travel Unity’s institutional standards.
Key regional partners who provided hyper-local case studies on advancing equity, safety, and a sense of belonging in outdoor spaces.
Long-term partner bureaus (including representatives from Upstate New York and Pennsylvania tourism boards) who presented longitudinal data on the economic benefits of inclusive tourism marketing.
Wednesday, Sept 18, 2024
Evening – Opening Reception
Thursday, September 19, 2024
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TIME
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TOPIC
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8:00 - 9:00 am
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Breakfast and Registration
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9:00 - 9:10 am
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Intro and Welcome - Roni Weiss - Executive Director, Travel Unity
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9:10 - 9:15 am
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Welcome from Local Officials
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9:15 - 10:00 am
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Keynote Session - "Generational Courage"
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10:00 - 10:30 am
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Visit Jackson Case Study
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10:30 - 11:00 am
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Break
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11:00 - 12:30 pm
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Panel and Workshop: Leadership and Collaboration in a Multi-Generational Workforce
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12:30 - 1:30 pm
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Lunch
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1:30 - 2:30 pm
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Panel and Dialogue: The Nexus of Economic Development, Public Policy, and Destination Management
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2:30 - 2:45 pm
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Break
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2:45 - 4:30 pm
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Panel and Workshop: A Holistic Dive into Belonging in the Workplace
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4:30 pm
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End of day
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6:00 pm
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Evening Reception
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Friday, September 20, 2024
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TIME
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TOPIC
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8:00 - 9:00 am
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Breakfast and Registration
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9:00 - 10:00 am
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Panel: Inclusive Community Outreach
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10:00 - 11:00 am
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Partnering for Justice & Equity in Travel
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11:00 - 11:30 am
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Break
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11:30 - 1:00 pm
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Panel and Workshop: Allyship and Advocacy
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1:00 pm
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End of day
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This session explores the ways the past continues to shape our world today. Our speakers, Kamel King, John Spann, and Larry Bleiberg examine how historical events, decisions, and cultural legacies influence our social, political, and economic realities. This essential session will help contextualize the need for DEI in the travel industry.
In this session, experts from destination marketing organizations (DMOs) will share how they are making travel more inclusive by creating campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences. David Kemp (Explore Brookhaven), Stacy Ritter & Neki Mohan (Visit Lauderdale), and Lauren Bruggemans (Visit Greater Palm Springs) will discuss strategies to attract travelers of all backgrounds. Moderated by Najauna White (Miles Partnership), this panel will highlight actionable insights for making destinations more welcoming to everyone.
Join us for a transformative session exploring the interconnectedness of justice, decolonization, and empowerment within the travel industry. This session, sponsored by Offbeat Travel will provide insight into how we can use travel empower communities.
Join a dynamic panel featuring Martinique Lewis (ABC Travel Network), Rob Hill (Human Rights Campaign), Polly Tribble (Disability Rights Mississippi), and Tami Fairweather (Consultant, Fairweather Strategies) as they share practical ways to advocate for marginalized communities. This session will focus on tangible actions individuals and organizations can take to make a meaningful impact, from engaging legislators to influencing broader community initiatives. Each panelist will provide educational resources, such as podcasts, books, and films, to further your understanding and ability to advocate effectively.
Join David Naczycz and Jen Gray-O’Connor (Coraggio Group) as they explore why DEI continues to be essential for destinations and their DMOs. This session will dive into the evolving landscape around DEI, highlighting its business value and the role DMOs play in engaging their communities. Through real-world examples and a fireside chat with Harriet Carter (Visit Detroit), attendees will gain insights into successful DEI initiatives and leave with practical data and strategies to implement DEI work within their own organizations and destinations.
Join our executive director Roni Weiss as he answers your important DEI questions.
Explore additional summit archives and initiatives.
