SATW Commitment to Diversity
SATW signs a Travel Unity Pledge committing to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
SATW DEAI Statement
SATW’s Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion Statement
SATW is committed to a diverse, equitable, accessible and inclusive membership that mirrors the traveling public as well as worldwide citizenry. Every effort will be made to ensure all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and cultural and religious beliefs are welcomed throughout the SATW community, including membership and leadership roles. We appreciate diverse voices and seek to include full representation in all our events, activities and communications. In order to share narratives as openly and honestly as possible, it is imperative that we dedicate time, attention and effort to welcome the voices of diverse Active and Associate members of SATW.
SATW Statement Supporting Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, and Other Historically Persecuted Groups
In the face of rising anti-Asian violence, SATW stands in solidarity with Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and everyone who supports them. Dangerous and false rhetoric has made this diverse community and their vibrant neighborhoods the targets of hate crimes, and we strongly condemn it. We also stand in opposition to attacks on other historically persecuted groups, targeted for their ethnic or racial heritage, religious beliefs, gender identification or sexuality. As part of our ongoing efforts at diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion, we will work with our membership to recognize bias that leads to racially motivated violence.
SATW’s Black Lives Matter Statement
SATW stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and those who demand justice and equality for our Black communities, as well as structural change in the fight against racial injustice and systemic racism. We value and stand behind our Black members in SATW. We are committed to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion, and vow to work both within and outside our organization to uphold and model these values, which are the foundation of an equitable society.
SATW’s Antisemitism Statement
Recent events remind us that antisemitism is on the rise here in North America and around the world. We at SATW condemn antisemitism in the many forms in which it occurs, including the slander of Jews with stereotypes and conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial or distortion, acts of hatred and violence to Jews, and the denial of the State of Israel’s right to exist.
According to the FBI 2020 Hate Crimes Statistics, American Jews—who make up less than 2% of the American population—were the victims of 57.5% of the total religious bias hate crimes.
In a world where misinformation and mistruths are easily spread, we, as members of the media, have a responsibility to write and speak the truth, and to foster awareness and education to stunt antisemitism, so that decency may prevail, allowing everyone to live without fear and to prosper in peaceful coexistence.
SATW’s DEAI Committee
We welcome all SATW members to join the DEAI Committee’s weekly Zoom call on Wednesdays at 3pm Eastern. This has grown into an engaged group who are supportive and proactive and enjoy doing meaningful work together to create positive change within SATW and the travel media industry. Want to get involved? Contact co-chairs Lavanya Sunkara or Joyce.
DEAI Resources to help you learn, engage and stay informed
Professional Development Webinar Recordings
∙ A Conversation About Racism in Travel Media
∙ MMGY Global survey results on Black Leisure Travelers
∙ How To Be a Better Ally: Fighting Racism in Travel Media
2020 Virtual Convention Recordings
Expanding the Narrative: Telling Fuller Travel Stories (and Truths)| Interpreter and storyteller Cordell Reaves wants to help you make meaning for your readers on the spot where history happened, shifting focus at historic sites to the enslaved communities as the primary narrative of the site. This session is designed to show how museums, institutions and DMOs are actively engaged in presenting the fuller story of the events that shaped their destination and how journalists now have access to a trove of resources to help them craft unique story angles that will translate into their next assignment. Together, this is a rich example of SATW’s mission: “Inspiring travel through responsible journalism.”
Speakers:
∙ Vickie Ashford, Director of Travel Media, Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau
∙ Matthew Maxey, Associate Director of Public Relations, Visit Franklin (Tennessee)
∙ Cordell Reaves, Historic Preservation Program Analyst, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
∙ Tonya Fitzpatrick (Moderator), Executive Producer/Host, Worldfootprints.com
Destination CEOs’ Perspectives on Promoting Anti-Racism in the Travel Industry | The modern-day lynching (as termed by USA Today, CNN and others) of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis on May 25 has opened the floodgates of conversation about race in America. No sector is untouched, including tourism and travel media. Melvin Tennant and Julie Coker — who together have decades of experience leading major U.S. cities’ marketing efforts from the corner suite — share their perspectives on how to use this unprecedented dialogue to move forward and the ways in which each of us can bring about change to our corner of the industry.
Speakers:
∙ Melvin Tennant, CAE, President and CEO, Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association
∙ Julie Coker, President and CEO, San Diego Tourism Authority
∙ Megan Padilla (Moderator), freelance writer, co-chair, SATW’s DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion) committee
Additional resources available to download:
SATW “Language of Diversity” Glossary
2021 Calendar of cultural and religious holidays (curated with a view towards editorial coverage)
SATW DEAI Financial Supporters
Champion Supporters
Advocate Supporter
