Travel Unity Summit Southeast, a conference that concentrates on practical application of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) implementation strategies in the tourism space, will be held in Lake Charles, March 27-29, at Golden Nugget Lake Charles.
The Travel Unity Summit is designed to engage with 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 ensure that their communities are welcoming to people of all backgrounds and abilities.
“The significance of Travel Unity Summit cannot be emphasized enough in today’s travel landscape. Destination Marketing Organizations play a tremendous leadership role in starting conversations that bring about results so that destinations are welcoming to everyone. I am thrilled that Lake Charles is hosting the second Travel Unity Summit Southeast to foster growth and understanding in DEI initiatives, and we are looking forward to connecting with the travel industry across the board,” said Timothy Bush, chief marketing officer for Visit Lake Charles and DEI co-chair for Destinations International.
“As an organization that started in the Northeast, all of us at Travel Unity are so happy for the continuous welcome we have had in the Southeast. Part of our goal in Travel Unity is to connect leaders in the travel industry who are committed to applied DEI with relevant community stakeholders. By coming together, they can collaborate to make sure that all voices are heard and all faces are seen. We thank Kyle Edmiston, Timothy Bush, Taylor Stanley, and the whole team at Visit Lake Charles for bringing these vibrant dialogues to Southwest Louisiana,” said Roni Weiss, executive director of Travel Unity.
Many dynamic speakers and leaders for DEI initiatives will be presenting this March including Sophia Hyder Hock, chief diversity officer for Destinations International. There will be practical how-to sessions on crafting a comprehensive DEI plan, attracting diverse groups through media and sales, leadership and workforce development, and best practices in marketing, in addition to case studies that focus on how organizations are practicing applied DEI.
“Visit Lake Charles looks forward to welcoming our colleagues and friends from across the Southeast here to Lake Charles,” said Kyle Edmiston, president and CEO for Visit Lake Charles. “With a stellar list of speakers and panels, I have no doubt that every person who attends will walk away with information that supports their organizations and communities.”
Early bird tickets for $350 are available through Dec 31. Otherwise, members of the Travel Unity Alliance and affiliated organizations receive discounted tickets for $400, with non-member tickets at $450. You can learn more about the conference, hotel bookings, and more by visiting Travel Unity Southeast, sponsored in part by Explore Brookhaven and Visit Lauderdale.
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