Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Speakers:  Apoorva Gandhi, VP of Multicultural Affairs, Marriott International; Elliott Ferguson, President & CEO, Destination DC

A deeper commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is imperative, not only because it is the right thing to do but because it is also good for our industry. Elliott Ferguson has been instrumental in advancing conversations about race and tourism throughout the travel/hospitality industry. Serving as Board Chair of Tourism Diversity Matters, Elliott will share his experiences related to Washington’s DC’s efforts to reduce social and economic inequities, as well as discuss what Tourism Diversity Matters is doing to empower the tourism and events industry to change and evolve as we work to advocate for an inclusive and diverse workforce and guest experience. Elliott will be joined by Apoorva Gandhi who is responsible for ensuring that Marriott’s marketing, sales, and operations consider and reflect multi-cultural markets. He will discuss the creation of the Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership, to be housed at Howard University, one of the nation’s leading historically Black colleges and universities.