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Inclusion and Accessibility Open Doors to Community Impact and Economic Growth
Destinations International’s 2024 Social Inclusion Summit explores the importance of destination organizations promoting social inclusion, offers new resources
Washington, DC (November 18, 2024) – Destinations International (DI), the world’s leading association representing destination organizations and convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), shared insights and announced new resources to support and advance inclusion in the travel and tourism industry during its 2024 Social Inclusion Summit, held in Spokane, Washington, USA, October 28-30. The event was held concurrently with DI’s 2024 Business Operations Summit.
Nearly 80 destination professionals from across the United States and Canada attended the event, which focused on the theme, “Forward Together: Creating Intentional Inclusion Initiatives That Champion Economic Growth and Community Impact.” Also in attendance were two students from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, recipients of HBCU Hospitality Scholarships from the Destinations International Foundation.
During the summit, DI presented resources and information available to destination organizations and the community in promoting accessibility and inclusion, including:
Global Accessibility Report - a collaborative research effort by City Destinations Alliance (CityDNA) and DI to provide a foundational understanding of global initiatives around accessibility and serve as a catalyst for destinations in evolving their strategies and recognizing the economic value of accessibility.
Workforce Diversification and Retention Industry Brief – a report highlighting the need for a more diverse industry workforce in the travel and tourism industry and sharing DI’s 10-year vision to attract and retain more diverse talent as well as foster greater representation in leadership.
2024 Social Inclusion Lexicon – a research-based compendium of words offering destination organization leaders the most effective vocabulary for conveying the importance and impact of inclusion to their stakeholders and communities.
Social Inclusion Resources Glossary – a list of essential DI resources and services available to empower destination professionals working to advance inclusion in their own organizations, as well as in their engagement with stakeholders and communities.
“Destination organizations can play an essential role in advancing social inclusion, both for their own operations and as a catalyst in their local communities,” said Sophia Hyder Hock, DI Chief Inclusion Officer. “We hope the sessions and conversations at the summit – along with the new resources shared with participants – will advance inclusion, which we know benefits the local economy and community. Spokane was an ideal venue for discussions about advancing accessibility and social inclusion in the travel and tourism industry. We were honored to meet in such an historic and welcoming city, and we are deeply appreciative of the tremendous support from President & CEO Rose Noble and the entire team at Visit Spokane.”
Summit sessions featured a range of topics, including: “Championing Inclusion: Advocacy Strategies for Engaging Local Government,” “From Intention to Action: Establishing Accountability in Social Inclusion,” “The Seven Secrets of Inclusive Hospitality,” “Enhancing Workplace Culture: Emotional Intelligence and Inclusive Communication,” and “Retention Strategies and Succession Planning for a Diverse Workforce.”
Attendees received “Ideas that Spark Change” workbooks to encourage reflection and bring home best practices, while breakout sessions provided opportunities for discussion and the exchange of ideas. An immersive cultural experience at Spokane’s Riverfront Park provided learning about its history and design, and representatives from Riverfront Park and Spokane Riverkeeper discussed their work to improve sustainability in and around the once heavily polluted river. Members of the Spokane, Kalispell and Coeur d'Alene indigenous tribes educated attendees about their histories and cultures and shed light on the impact of cultural tourism, including programs at the Coeur d’Alene Casino and Resort.
"The Social Inclusion Summit, now in its second year, was and is a chance to see the big picture of the work being done,” said Sonya Bradley, Chief of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Visit Sacramento and co-chair of the DI Social Inclusion Committee. “From the opening keynote – which was not simply inspiring but pushed us all to really delve deep into inclusive tourism – to the roundtable discussions, where we heard the challenges and successes from our destination peers, the Summit gave us the take-aways we need to evolve our roles and responsibilities. I walked away with ideas and new connections. The immersive experience is the high point of the Summit. Getting a chance to hear stories directly from the members of the native tribes and learn about their culture was a privilege and honor. I look forward to next year’s Social Inclusion Summit."
The 2025 Social Inclusion Summit will take place October 28-30, 2025, in Jackson, Mississippi, USA.
Event partners for the 2024 Social Inclusion Summit included:
Brand USA
CFO by design
Fired Up! Culture
HospitableMe
International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA)
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)
Longwoods International
Miles Partnership
MMGY Global
Paradise – a partner for good
SearchWide Global
Simpleview
Sparkloft
Travelability
Tripadvisor
Wheel the World
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About Destinations International
Destinations International is the world’s largest and most reliable resource for destination organizations, convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. With more than 8,000 members and partners from over 750 destinations, the association represents a powerful forward-thinking and collaborative community around the world. For more information, visit www.destinationsinternational.org.
About the Destinations International Foundation
The Destinations International Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering destination organizations globally by providing education, research, advocacy and leadership development. The Foundation is classified as a charitable organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code and all donations are tax-deductible. For more information visit www.destinationsinternational.org/about-foundation.
About the Author
Tim Smith has 20+ years of strategic communications experience spanning roles in government, industry, agency and association settings. Most recently, he led corporate communications for Delaware North, a global leader in travel, hospitality and entertainment. Previously, he was Managing Director – West Coast at APCO Worldwide and Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at Edelman, providing clients with senior communications and public affairs counsel. He has lived and worked outside the United States for more than a decade, including as a U.S. diplomat tasked with promoting trade and investment.
As Vice President of Communications, Tim is responsible for development and execution of strategic communications to support the association’s mission, enhance and elevate brand, and strengthen impact. He serves as primary contact for media and manages communication with global stakeholders, including association leaders, members, policymakers, media, academia, tourism industry and staff.
Tim is active in civic and professional organizations and has served on the boards of the Public Affairs Council, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and PRSA Puget Sound, among others. He has three grown children and currently resides with his wife outside of Buffalo, New York.