Collection of Information and Preparation of Responses
Does each person on my team need to fill out this assessment, or are the responses based on a collective destination organization response?
The responses to each question are based on a collective destination response. We recommend holding discussions with team members associated with corresponding questions to understand varying perspectives and to come to a consensus on the organizational response. Multiple individuals can update on behalf of the organization, but the best recommendation is to limit to 1 or 2 people.
What is the best way to collect the information for this EDI Assessment?
We recommend having a point person in charge of guiding the overall discussion, collecting responses, and inputting responses onto the platform. After logging into the platform, download the questions, and share them with your team. Schedule time to discuss the questions and responses together.
We recognize the varying levels of staff per destination organization. Leadership, staff responsible for driving policies and procedures, HR professionals, and marketing and sales leads within your destination should be a part of the discussion.
Who should be filling out the responses on the platform?
The Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Diversity Officer, or Human Resources are roles that should be responsible for leading the discussion, collecting, and placing responses into the platform.
More than one person can enter data into the platform after responses have been discussed and coordinated.
How long will it take to complete this assessment?
The time to complete this assessment is dependent upon the time it takes the destination organization to discuss, collect, and input the information into the platform. We recommend downloading and/or printing the questions in advance and sharing them with team members in preparation for discussion. Typically the longest portion of the assessment is collecting or garnering sentiment from the team, where data entry can take less than 15 minutes.
Our organization may not have all the responses to the workforce demographics section. What should we do?
These questions were included in this assessment to provide your destination with a greater awareness of the diversity within your organization. However, we recognize the level of sensitivity in asking these questions, and this section is entirely optional. If your destination chooses not to answer, select ‘n/a’. Choosing ‘n/a’ will not impact your overall score.
Why is sexual orientation not included in this assessment?
While the inclusion of sexual orientation is a factor in creating more inclusivity in the workplace, this question is not asked in the workforce demographics section because this information is not collected in the employment process and is typically shared on a voluntary basis.
Can we start the survey, stop, and then continue?
Yes, you can start the assessment, save your progress along the way. At the bottom of each page is both a ‘save’ and ‘save & continue button.’ Please also see the user guide within the platform.
Can I go back and make revisions to my assessment?
Yes, revisions can be made to your responses prior to the closing of the reporting period.
Some of the questions seem subjective; what happens if some organizations are ‘tougher’ on themselves when responding to questions than others?
While Destinations International cannot control the responses of our destinations, we believe destinations will uphold a level of honesty in answering these questions if they believe in creating intentional impact with respect to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This assessment will serve as a basis to have candid discussions with destinations on how they are leading change and how we can support them in efforts to improve their EDI initiatives.
Reporting and Results
Will we be able to compare our results with other destination organizations?
Yes. We have a reporting tier that you can use to compare yourself to other destination organizations by budget, geography, tourism asset, sports division, and FTE count. This reporting tier also includes a direct comparison to a minimum of 5 other destination organizations. However, please note, all data is anonymous, and you will only see the aggregate of the 5 destination organization’s data.
Will we be able to track our results year by year?
Yes, results can be tracked per year. This tool is designed to be used every year as a basis to measure progress toward your EDI goals.
How often are we expected to update our data?
Destinations are expected to update data on an annual basis.
What happens after I receive my report?
Once you receive your report, a set of leading practices will be available for additional guidance. We recommend sharing these results within your organization as a basis to collect ideas on how to improve and integrate EDI into daily internal and external practices. Destinations International also offers an add-on opportunity to have a 75-minute consultation with our Chief Diversity Officer.
In addition to these offerings, resources will be provided to support your destination's EDI journey.
Will there be an opportunity to purchase the basic or standard tier but with an add-on price for the 75-minute consultation?
Yes, this option will be available for destinations to select.
Will there be workshops, consultative sessions and/or resources to help us process our results?
Yes, in addition to the 75-minute consultative option, resources and education will be provided to assist with the processing of results.
Will our EDI score or efforts be added to a Destinations International Certification / Accreditation?
This option is currently under consideration as we develop additional EDI resources to support our destinations.
Will there be a staff survey that goes out to our team to get their feedback on our EDI efforts?
We will continue to develop our annual EDI study on destination organizations which collects individual sentiments from people who work in destination organizations. We also encourage destination organizations to share these questions with your teams to discuss collective feedback and responses.
Destination specific requests can be sent to [email protected].
Data and Privacy
Will this information be public facing or be shared with other destination organizations?
Your information is confidential and will not be shared publicly or with other destination organizations.
What is Destinations International's goal with collecting this data and how will this data be used?
To help provide a tool for destination organization to assess their policies and procedures around EDI as well as a road map for improvement year over year.
Who will have access to our results?
Only the designated users per organization will have access to the results. This will typically be the same individuals who entered the data. The results are exportable for the destination organization to share internally.
What safety measures are in place to ensure data privacy and protection?
Please refer to our Data Integrity Statement for further information.
How long will our information be stored in our files before it is deleted?
The platform will not automatically delete your data. The only time data will be deleted is when Destinations International provides the platform administrator with notification to delete upon request.
EDI Assessment Report
Will we be notified if new members submit data to run a new report?
You will not be notified if new members individually submit data. New participating member data can only be added until March 31, 2023.
When does this data expire?
Your data does not expire, and as this platform matures yearly, you will have annual access to this data. One important item to note is that the platform will be temporarily unavailable when data collection begins typically between August – November each year. We will communicate this to our members prior to this occurrence.
Can I download the data via Excel?
Yes, you can download your responses in Excel, however all reports are in Microsoft Word, PDF, or PowerPoint.
I did not input my EDI data in 2022. Can I still upload my 2022 data this year?
Yes, you can still upload your data through March 31, 2023. Purchasing a tier and incorporating your data is required prior to receiving your report.
To upload your data:
- Click on the ‘purchase’ button
- Choose your desired reporting tier
- Purchase the reporting tier
- Enter your data (100% completion is necessary)
Once you have completed all the responses, you will have access to your EDI assessment report for 2022.
Can I upgrade my assessment reporting tier?
Yes, you can upgrade your assessment reporting tier. To do so, contact [email protected].
Note: you cannot downgrade your assessment tier once it has been purchased.
Can more than one person have access to the report?
Yes, please email [email protected] or [email protected] to indicate additional individuals who want to access the report.
What is my username and password to access the assessment?
Your username and password is the same as the one used to enter your data. To reset your password click here.
How can I purchase the 75-minute add-on consultation with Sophia?
Click here to login. After logging in on this link, select online store, then merchandise. You will find the consultation in the store.
Sophia will contact you once you have purchased this option to schedule a time to meet. Currently add-on consultations are limited to 10 destinations due to capacity, however we will do our best to accommodate all interested members.
How should I use the information from this report?
We recommend taking time to review your responses, read the leading practices, and review the median / best practice ranges by section. Share the assessment report(s) with your team to gather their responses and feedback about the reports. Use this information as a baseline to develop or update your EDI strategy for the upcoming year through years 3-5. Please feel free to contact Sophia if you have any questions.
Payment
What is the fastest way to purchase the assessment?
The fastest way to purchase the assessment is by using the payment information on file once you click on the ‘purchase’ button.
Do I have to use a credit card to purchase the assessment?
No, you do not. For other payment options, contact [email protected] - Reports will be made available once payment has been received.
Is there a deadline to purchase the report for 2022?
Yes, the deadline to purchase the report is March 31, 2023. You will have access to view the 2022 reports beyond this date however.