Community Impact Stories

Supplier Strategy

Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board sought to increase access to the economic benefits of tourism among small and diverse-owned businesses from historically disadvantaged communities in Los Angeles, resulting in over 140 new, diverse-owned small businesses as Los Angeles Tourism members.

Community Representation & Engagement

Explore Brookhaven wanted to bring art to their community by featuring a diverse collection of artists. The Brookhaven Art Pop-Up + Shop, a highly negotiated retail space, was the perfect place to do so.

Workforce Development

While rebuilding their team after the pandemic, Destination Greater Victoria aimed to raise more awareness and understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion issues. They sought a common language and tools to address situations and processes that conflict with our DEI definition and policy. 

Accessibility

In late 2022, the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau (CACVB) began becoming more accessible within its organization and in the community by partnering with Wheel the World.

Engagement with All Community Populations

​Choose Chicago and the Choose Chicago Foundation implemented data-driven strategies to advance social impact, focusing on education, professional development, policy, community engagement and storytelling through marketing and media.

Board Governance

​Experience Champaign-Urbana implemented initiatives to enhance board governance, aiming to better reflect and serve its community.

Accessibility

​Visit Colorado Springs partnered with Wheel the World to enhance accessible travel, ensuring travelers with disabilities can plan and experience the region with confidence.

Destination Stewardship 

​In 2023, the Great Lakes Bay Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau initiated the Henry Marsh Plaza Project to honor Saginaw's first Black mayor and create a universally accessible urban space, fostering unity between the city's north and south sides.

Welcoming and Belonging

In order to authentically promote their external efforts, Destination Madison formed an internal social impact committee to review job descriptions and postings, build staff awareness, provide internal learning opportunities, and support diverse community events. 

Engagement with All Community Populations

North Little Rock Tourism implemented a comprehensive initiative to foster trust and engagement with the local Hispanic community by collaborating with Hispanic leaders, businesses and organizations, leading to increased cultural representation in tourism campaigns and strengthened community relationships.

Workforce Development; Welcoming & Belonging

Ottawa Tourism prioritized three initiatives to support workforce diversity: diversity-focused recruitment, inclusive hiring practices and cultural competency training.

Accessibility

By educating frontline workers in the travel industry and by raising awareness of autism-friendly resources that are available in the Myrtle Beach area, the Visit Myrtle Beach team aimed to make a difference in the lives of autism families.

Supplier Strategy

Visit Milwaukee sought to build a partnership base that better aligned with their mission: to support a stronger, more inclusive community through connecting diverse and inclusive businesses to the growth opportunity presented by the leisure travel and convention markets.

Engagement with All Community Populations

Greater Miami CVB is making sure that the small businesses in their heritage neighborhoods and cultural communities are an integral part of our tourism ecosystem by hosting business resource workshops.

Welcoming and Belonging

Discover Newport created The Newport Pride Center to serve as a hub for locals and visitors alike, spearheading partnerships on local events and activities that bring the LGTBQ+ presence into the community.  

Welcoming and Belonging

Visit Mesa worked to develop pages on their website dedicated to social impact in order to better showcase the organization's partners, diverse activities, culture, history and sports inclusivity.

Workforce Development

Visit Greater Palm Springs implemented an inclusive tourism strategy to create authentic, equitable experiences that benefit both visitors and the broader community.

Destination Stewardship

Feedback from stakeholders showed that fostering quality of place could not only improve life for residents but also enhance our destination’s appeal to visitors. In order to align tourism development with broader community stewardship goals, Elkhart County CVB addressed beautification, elevated pride of place and created a shared community vision. 

Accessibility

Without clear resources about sensory triggers like noise levels, crowds or lighting, some families and individuals were unable to fully enjoy what Lexington has to offer. VisitLEX saw an opportunity to close this gap by providing sensory information that empowers all visitors to plan with confidence. 

Destination Stewardship

There was a growing disconnect between how Puerto Rico was being loved by visitors and how that love was expressed on the ground. It created an imperative to close the gap between intention and impact, and to design new ways for travelers to honor the Island: not just by visiting, but by learning, listening, and giving back in meaningful ways. 

Destination Stewardship

While tourism brought revenue and recognition to the region, many community members didn’t feel the direct benefits. The Destination Investment Fund (DIF) was created to reinvest in the people, places and projects that make Hocking Hills such a special place for both residents and guests.

Destination Stewardship

While our area is rich in natural assets, there were few structured opportunities to connect people meaningfully with nature in ways that also promoted stewardship. We saw this as a missed opportunity, not only for conservation but for community engagement and destination differentiation.