Hello! I’m Rose Zimmerman Caple, the first Tourism Sales Manager for Niche & Affinity Markets with Louisville Tourism. My role involves promoting Louisville to leisure travelers, particularly in the African American, Black, and LGBTQ+ communities. Beyond sales and marketing, I strive to keep my colleagues and partners informed about social inclusion trends and educational opportunities. When I tell others that Louisville is a welcoming, inclusive place, it’s vital that our destination delivers on that promise.

For years, I admired Destinations International for its educational resources, eager to attend their annual Visitor Services Summit. Unfortunately, 2020 delayed my plans. Fast forward to Fall 2023, when I finally attended their inaugural Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Summit in Little Rock, Arkansas.

A Transformative Experience

The significance of Little Rock as a host city was profound. Home to the Little Rock Nine, the city holds a pivotal place in Civil Rights history. One of those students, Elizabeth Eckford, shared her story during the Summit, offering a deeply moving experience that highlighted how our work in social inclusion builds upon that legacy. While I missed the tour of Central High School, I promised myself I wouldn’t miss a moment of the next Summit.

Destinations International soon announced the 2024 event: the newly renamed Social Inclusion Summit in Spokane, Washington. Initially curious about this location, I quickly understood its choice. Spokane’s natural beauty and celebration of its Indigenous community set the stage for transformative learning. The Summit opened with a video showcasing Spokane, narrated in both English and Salish, weaving cultural stories alongside stunning visuals of the Spokane River. It set an inspiring tone.

Key Moments and Takeaways

We received a workbook titled Ideas That Spark Change, which challenged us to reflect on how we could impact social inclusion in our work. For me, this meant focusing on selling to my markets with authenticity and respect.

Sessions covered essential topics such as:

• Inclusive Hospitality
• Supplier Diversity
• Workforce Culture
• Emotional Intelligence
• Accountability

One session posed a thought-provoking question:

“Who is everyone when we say, ‘Everyone is welcome’?”

The discussions that followed were both enlightening and empowering.

A standout moment came on the first afternoon when we left the Convention Center for a walking tour. We listened to Indigenous panelists, learned about the Spokane River’s history, and enjoyed traditional frybread from a local spot, Indigenous Eats. This real-time learning experience was unlike any conference I’ve attended.

Another highlight was the Dine Around night. Destinations International thoughtfully curated local restaurants and facilitated reservations for attendees to dine together, encouraging networking and community-building. I’m definitely borrowing this idea!

Inclusivity permeated every aspect of the Summit. From accessibility information at the Convention Center and host hotel tours of accessible rooms to Spokane staff tabling throughout the event, every detail was intentional.

Reflections and Looking Ahead to 2025

While I didn’t complete my workbook during the Summit, I brought it home to reflect and finalize my thoughts. Reviewing my notes clarified my ideas, making it easier to share them with my team.

The most valuable takeaway? Knowing I’m not alone. I’m part of a community of passionate people across the country committed to creating inclusive spaces. Even as DEI positions face challenges, our work continues.

Looking ahead to 2025, I feel energized and hopeful. I know I have the support of Destinations International and the connections I’ve made. I’m excited for a new year filled with compassion, inclusivity, and shared learning. And I can’t wait to attend the next Social Inclusion Summit in Jackson, Mississippi, in October 2025.