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