2023 Travel Unity Summit Caribbean
“Empowering Communities Through Tourism”
October 2 & 3, 2023
San Juan, Puerto Rico
What happens at the Summit?
At every Travel Unity Summit, participants come together to tackle how to go beyond words and ideas, moving forward on the real work that it takes to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into strategic planning and implementation.
Who is it for?
Travel Unity Summits are for 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 make sure their communities are welcoming to people of all backgrounds and abilities.
Questions? E-mail [email protected]
Supporting Sponsor
Sponsors and Partners
Be sure to join the IGLTA 40th Anniversary Global Convention, happening right after our Summit!
Media Partners
SCHEDULE
VIRTUAL KICKOFF SESSION – Monday, October 2, 2023
11:00 AM-12:30 PM EDT/AST
The Future of DEI in Caribbean Tourism (facilitated by Travel Unity and the Caribbean Tourism Organization)
To kick off the 2023 Travel Unity Summit Caribbean, Travel Unity and the Caribbean Tourism Organization will facilitate a virtual space for attendees from the Caribbean and beyond to discuss how the travel industry in the Caribbean can make diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) a strategic priority.
Introduction by Roni Weiss (Travel Unity) and Amanda Charles (CTO).
Scheduled Speakers: Brian Major, Jessica van Dop DeJesus, Maureen Wright-Evans, and Omar Evans.
DAY ONE – Monday, October 2, 2023
Venue: Parallel18 San Juan
1250 PR-25, San Juan, 00907, Puerto Rico
3:00-5:00 PM
Roundtable: Tourism and Community Impact in the Caribbean
Roni Weiss, Executive Director of Travel Unity, and Greg Takehara, CEO of Tourism Cares, co-lead an intimate roundtable covering topics around how the tourism industry in the Caribbean can deepen positive engagement with local communities through community tourism, workforce development, increased local access to tourism products, and more.
Limited seats available.
ROUNDTABLE DELEGATES INCLUDE:
Roni Weiss (Travel Unity)
Greg Takehara (Tourism Cares)
Claire Dunlap (Tour Cayuga)
Carmen Portela (Friends of El Yunque)
Mili Maldonado Agusty (Universidad del Sagrado Corazón)
Spyridon Kagkas (This is Athens)
Harry Alvarez (Offbeat Travel)
Jasmine Causey (ASTA)
Meg Ten Eyck (EveryQueer)
Milka Rodriguez (Globetrotting Dominicana)
Laura Ortiz (Sofrito Tours)
Joann Diaz (Discover Puerto Rico)
Michael Lo Presti (Vamonos Tours)
DAY TWO – Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Venue: HYATT House San Juan
615 Ave Fernandez Juncos Distrito de Convenciones, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States, 00907
Parking vouchers available for registered Summit attendees.
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Light Breakfast & Networking
Meet fellow attendees and enjoy coffee, danishes, and fresh fruit before the day kicks off.
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Opening Remarks
Travel Unity’s Executive Director, Roni Weiss, welcomes attendees.
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM
Case Study: Discover Puerto Rico’s “Live Boricua” Campaign
Representatives from Discover Puerto Rico share the process of creating a campaign focused on authentic depictions of local culture, including how DEI informed the approach.
9:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Presentation & Dialogues: Community Engagement
Visit Greater Palm Springs is the recipient of the 2023 CalTravel Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion Award. Todd Burke of Visit Greater Palm Springs and Kimber Foster of Visit Palm Springs will share the strategy that goes into their applied DEI efforts.
Following their presentations, each table will be prompted to have discussions
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Networking Break
Meet other attendees and continue conversations during this brief break.
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Inclusive Caribbean Tours: How to Welcome Everyone
Harry Alvarez (Offbeat Travel), Melina Aguilar Colón (Isla Caribe), and Laura Ortiz-Villamil (Sofrito Tours) share their approaches to making sure that people of all backgrounds and abilities can have welcoming and fulfilling experiences on their tours.
Moderated by Matt Skallerud.
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch & Local Presentations
Network with fellow participants.
Attendees must reserve their lunch via this form by Thurs. Sept 28, 3 PM EDT/ADT. Lunches are not guaranteed for those who do not reserve in advance.
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Applied DEI Workshop
Learn about concepts and applications around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), explore concepts around identity and bias, and hear more about how organizations can strategize DEI efforts.
Facilitated by Vandana Agrawal
All engaged workshop attendees will receive a certificate of completion for their participation, along with a toolkit for implementing DEI in their organizations.
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Networking
Join fellow attendees to continue the discussion in a more relaxed environment.
DAY TWO – EVENING
7:00-10:00 PM
La Factoria
148 C. de San Sebastián 2nd Floor
San Juan, PR 00901
All Summit attendees are welcome to join Pink Media & Queer Destinations’ Pre-IGLTA Conference Reception!
FREE to reserve a spot, but separate registration required.
Click here to sign up!
Schedule subject to change.
Which ticket is right for me?
Members of the Travel Unity Alliance and other affiliated organizations receive discounted tickets for $37.50, with non-member tickets at $75. IGLTA Convention attendees get free tickets with code ‘IGLTA’.
Scholarships and media credentials are available.
Questions? Contact [email protected] or (212) 923-7704
