Visitor Information Center
112 South Street SE, Suite 200
Leesburg, VA 20175
800-752-6118 | 703-771-2170
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Council
Visit Loudoun recognizes the need to ensure equitable access for all and is committed to transforming the organization through thought leadership, best practices and tools based on equity, diversity and inclusion principles through meaningful collaboration.
The Visit Loudoun Board of Directors created a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Steering Committee comprised of Visit Loudoun Board Members, who guide the Visit Loudoun Board of Directors through the organization’s FY20-FY22 Strategic Plan for the benefit of our partners, visitors and community.
The Visit Loudoun Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Steering Committee created the Visit Loudoun Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Council to help Visit Loudoun deliver on the organization’s commitment to the diverse and culturally rich community we serve as well as ensuring that Loudoun County is a welcoming destination.
Background:
Visit Loudoun’s FY20-FY22 Strategic Plan identifies strategies pertaining to marketing to a diverse set of travelers and ensuring that the organization highlights the variety and diversity that Loudoun County has to offer.
Embracing Variety:
(Found on Page 14 of Visit Loudoun’s FY20-FY22 Strategic Plan)
- Growing diverse target markets and segment visitors: Exploring and understanding how to effectively market to diverse audiences across Visit Loudoun’s marketing platforms.
- Communities need to be reflected to be included: Visit Loudoun should reflect the community it serves, but also the visitors it strives to attract, ensuring that Loudoun County is a welcoming destination and community.
Involve the Community:
(Found on Page 17 of Visit Loudoun’s FY20-FY22 Strategic Plan)
- Foster connectivity: Business owners may lack connectivity to each other, so how do we create opportunities to increase partnerships leading to a more inclusive tourism industry?
- Stakeholders may be unaware of the full potential of Visit Loudoun: How do we ensure that black-owned, LGBTQ-owned as well as Asian-owned tourism and hospitality businesses feel included and engaged?
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Council convened on October 6, 2020, facilitated by Melissa Majors Consulting and the DIAC Final Report was generated and adopted by the Council.
See Destinations International's CEO Pledge.
For additional resources from Virginia Tourism Corporation on black travel, LGBTQ+ travel, accessible travel and more, visit: https://www.vatc.org/about/dei/
Visit Loudoun’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Council Members
Diversity, Equity & inclusion Steering Committee
Reggie Cooper - Salamander Resort & Spa
Rusty Foster - Bow Tie Strategies
Tracy Hamlin - Sweet Jazz Fest
Melanie Mathewes - Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University
Santosh Tiptur - The Conche
Esther Turner (Chair) - Henry Crown Fellowship The Aspen Institute
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Panel
Glory Barbaris - Always Creating Studio Weddings & Events
Alicia Cohen - Black History Committee of the Friends of the Thomas Balch Library
Kayse Small and Sara Crutcher - Le Boudoir
Alex Davila - Adarga
Carmen Felder - Authentic Connections
Becky Harris - Catoctin Creek Distilling
Dr. Sheila Johnson - Salamander Hospitality
Nanette Parsons - Best Rack Around
Vinay Patel - Fairbrook Hotel
Silas Reed - Nostalgia Boutique
Renee Ventrice - Cork and Keg Tours
Dahlia Williams
