Building Inclusive Tourism: Monthly Webinar Series
This monthly webinar series will provide the tourism industry with education, information, and resources on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
These lunch-and-learn sessions will occur on the second or third Wednesday of each month in 2022. Each session will be produced and lead by a recognized expert providing thought leadership in the field of DEI.
Building Inclusive Tourism: Upcoming Sessions
Keep checking back for upcoming session info!
Past Sessions
April 12: Importance of Building An Inclusive Labour Force
Session Information: We were joined by Loren Christie, Director of Business Development & Strategy at CGLCC, and our panel: Dr. Jessica Ng, Philip Mondor, and Dr. Altaf Sovani to discuss how programs such as the Rainbow Registered accreditation offered by Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, can act as a tool to attract and retain talent by working with businesses to certify them as safe and inclusive spaces.
Moderator:
- Loren Christie - Director of Business Development & Strategy, CGLCC
Panel
- Dr. Jessica Ng - Director of Policy and Government Affairs, TIAO
- Philip Mondor - President & CEO, Tourism HR Canada
- Dr. Altaf Sovani - Founder & CEO, Alzen Consulting Inc.
March 22: Propelling Tourism Innovation Through Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Session Information: We were joined by Justin Lafontaine, Program Lead and Founder of Tourism Innovation Lab, and Annemarie Shrouder, Principal & Founder of Annemarie Shrouder International, to discuss the Tourism Innovation Lab's DEI efforts. This includes collaborations with ITO on the Indigenous Tourism Skode Program, collaboration with the CGLCC on the 2SLGBTQ+ "Spark" Program, the Kootenay Rockies Accessible Tourism "Spark" Program, and future programming to support underrepresented and marginalized groups. We learned about why DEI is important and an overview of recommendations for future Lab and "Spark" Programs.
Speakers:
- Justin Lafontaine - Program Leader & Founder, Tourism Innovation Lab
- Annemarie Shrouder - Principal & Founder, Annemarie Shrouder International
February 8: Marketing & Advertising Tips
Session Information: We discussed how having representation at every stage of the creative process helps to develop meaningful and impactful campaigns, that connect with consumers. This starts from the initial stages of the client and agency briefing and continues through the production phase, which includes the teams behind the camera as well.
January 18: Indigenous Cultural Integrity Advisory Committee
Session Recording Presentation Q&A
Session Information: As we enter into a new year, it is important to take the opportunity to reflect, learn and look forward. This is a practice that we can learn from the original hosts of the land we are on. At the end of last year, on the Winter solstice, and the time of renewal, introduced the establishment of the Indigenous Cultural Integrity Advisory Committee. This committee's objective is to support the respectful growth of Indigenous tourism in Ontario. The committee consists of 14 Knowledge Keepers from across the province and they are equipped with culturally respectful tools and resources to conduct business in a responsible manner.
The goal of the Committee's guidelines is to protect the knowledge, values, beliefs, and traditions of all Indigenous Peoples in Ontario while developing tourism initiatives that are in high demand. As the wider tourism industry looks to build partnerships and help develop Indigenous tourism products, these guidelines will help to prevent cultural appropriation and exploitation of Indigenous cultures in tourism.
Join us and learn what challenges this committee will address, and what resources are available to your area of business and location within Ontario. We know that consumers are demanding Indigenous tourism activities when travelling to and within Ontario. This work will ensure consumers and suppliers are conducting business in a culturally meaningful and respectful manner.
December 14: 50/30 Challenge for Boards
Session Information: The 50 – 30 Challenge is an initiative between the Government of Canada, Canadian businesses, and diversity organizations. The goal of the program is to challenge Canadian organizations to increase the representation and inclusion of diverse groups within their workplaces while highlighting the benefits of giving all Canadians a seat at the table.
Speakers:
- Dr. Wendy Cukier - Founder & Academic Director of the Diversity Institute, Academic Director of the Women Entrepreneurship Hub; and Research Lead of the Future Skills Centre
September 14: Back to School - How to Work with Post-Secondary to Support a Diverse Workforce
Session Information: Join Michelle Caine, Centennial College, in a discussion with a panel of experts to discuss how one can work with Ontario post-secondary educators to hire and mentor the growing number of international students studying tourism programs.
Speakers:
- Kristy Adams - Program Coordinator and Professor at Humber College
- Michael Agema - CEO AGEMA Work
Moderator: Michelle Caine - MBA Academic Chair, Hospitality Management Centennial College
June 8: Advancing Our Knowledge - Always Learning
Session Information: In January we learned the importance of why we needed to support having more Indigenous people in the Tourism Economy, in our session Enriching Tourism by Embracing the Original Hosts of the Land. How we have done in the last 5 months and what are the next steps in advancing our knowledge and understanding?
What does it mean? Going beyond the Land Acknowledgement?
Learn alongside us as we gain knowledge by listening to the experts share how we can take the next steps in supporting having more Indigenous people in the Tourism Economy.
Speaker:
- Naokwegijig (Tim McGregor)
Mukwa Dodem
Wiigwaaskinaga doonjiba
My name is Tim McGregor and consider myself to be a traditional Anishinabenini who dances the Northern Traditional style of dance.
I have been involved with jiingtamok, sometimes known as pow wows, for many decades and gained considerable knowledge of the history and teachings.
After a lengthy career of First Nation public service in Federal, Provincial, State, Tribal Council, and private sectors my focus is on sharing the culture and traditions of the Anishinabek. As part of a multi-generational, home-based family business called Rolling Thunder Dance Traditions the splendor of our culture is shared through cultural teachings, regalia making teachings, dance teachings, custom regalia, and custom dance performances of the Pow Wow.
May 11: Job Vacancies? Consider the Disability Talent Pool
Session Information: Hiring people with disabilities isn’t “doing the right thing.” It’s “doing the right thing for business.” The true value for organizations doesn’t come from ticking the right boxes, but from accessing the benefits of an inclusive environment.
The business opportunity is irrefutable. Employing people with disabilities means better performance. There is not one industry in which people with disabilities are unable to work. There are as many opportunities as there are businesses, and you can access work-ready individuals who are prepared to positively contribute to their communities, often without extra costs on accommodations. You can broaden your pool of skilled candidates across all industries by including people with disabilities.
Speakers:
- Fatima Finnegan, Vice President, Workforce Initiatives & Industry Relations, ORHMA
- Donald Guse Salah, Program Manager for the Discover Ability Network, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
- Meghan Phillips-Smith, Historical Researcher, Know History
April 13: Best Practices of Integrating DEI Principles at the DMO Level
Session Information: This webinar features best practices for integrating DEI principles at the DMO level. The session will begin with a presentation from Greg DeShields, Executive Director of Tourism Diversity Matters, after which Rebecca Godfrey will moderate a discussion with Explore Edmonton on the status of their journey to build a more inclusive tourism industry.
Speakers:
- Greg DeShields - Executive Director of Tourism Diversity Matters
- Paul Hawes - VP, Destination Development and Marketing, Explore Edmonton
- Kristen Foster, CMP - Senior Event Manager, Edmonton Convention Centre
Moderator: Rebecca Godfrey - Senior Strategic Consultant at Destination Think!
March 9: LGBT+ Overview and Case Study
Session Information: It's estimated that Canadian LGBT+ travellers contribute $12 billion annually to the global travel market. Learn some of the ways your business can become more inclusive to one of the world's largest travel markets by addressing the needs of both your internal team who identify as LGBT+ as well as potential LGBT+ customers. Our webinar will: 1) identify which individuals are included in this broad market, 2) address the use of inclusive language, 3) outline ways businesses can become more inclusive, 4) outline available programs to assist you and 5) will provide a case study from Destination Kingston on their journey to become more LGBT+ inclusive.
Speakers:
- Loren Christie – Tourism/Hospitality Expert
- TJ Jones - Founding Consultant, Full Picture Management
- Allyson Tonelli - Director of Sales, Tourism Kingston
February 16, 2022: Better Business Discovery Process
Session Information: Building better business through diversity, equity, and inclusion starts with each individual assessing the past, present, and future to identify opportunities to improve, adapt and shift. This workshop will provide the steps to conduct a discovery within your own operations and businesses to identify current gaps. You will gain insights through hearing about others’ experiences in the marketplace as we share best practice stories and examples of how adjusting your business to be more inclusive leads to better business success.
Speakers:
- Niyoka McIntosh - Co-founder of Unpack Consulting; Wellness Vacation Specialist and owner of Vacation Your Way
- Shalene Dudley, CTA, WPICC, PMP - Lead Travel Concierge at Latitude Concierge Travels, Ltd.
- Maria Ines - Director of Agent Experience & Loyalty, Independent by Flight Centre
Moderator: Maxine Gundermann - Market Sales Manager, Eastern Ontario, Celebrity Cruises, Inc.
January 12, 2022: DEI 101
Michael Bach - What is diversity in tourism? Presentation
Understanding the Narrative - Tips and takeaways for understanding how we can work together in Tourism. What can be perceived as offensive? What are some key phrases - knowledge of language? How can I implement this support within my own business?
Kevin Eshkawkogan - Indigenous Tourism ON Presentation
Enriching Tourism by Embracing the Original Hosts of the Land - ITO partnered with MDB Insight to study the impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous tourism in Ontario and found resilience, optimism, and untapped potential. We need to support having more Indigenous people in the Tourism Economy. Why is this important? What are we seeing? Join Kevin Eshkawkogan as Kevin shares teachings, and understanding of why this is important.