Tourism is an industry that is crying out for more impact-driven entrepreneurs and investors to do what they do best: challenge traditional norms; support diverse and dynamic entrepreneurs; find ways to ensure financial returns while prioritizing people and planet, and move industries stuck in old paradigms into a future than enhances well-being for us all.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic began, tourism was responsible for approximately 10% of the world’s GDP, 10% of jobs, and 10% of carbon emissions. These numbers make clear that the industry is an incredibly important lever to pull to achieve meaningful impact. In short, if we care about racial equity, women’s empowerment, equitable economic opportunities, poverty reduction, or climate change, we should care about the tourism industry. The past year’s shutdowns have only increased urgency to act. This virtual event will bring global and Philadelphia-based experts and entrepreneurs together to provide an update on current realities, introduce new opportunities for impact, and inspire action.
Panelists for this webinar include:
- Jonathan Coleman is Co-CEO of the Untours Foundation, which owns Untours travel, invests its profits into world-changing businesses led by diverse founders, and helps other foundations follow a similar path. The foundation is launching the Reset Tourism Fund to provide catalytic capital and technical assistance for businesses representing the future of tourism.
- Melissa Lee is Founder and CEO of The Green Program, a Philadelphia-based company that educates and empowers the world’s future sustainability leaders through immersive international, educational experiences.
- Greg DeShields is Executive Director of PHL Diversity, an initiative of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. PHL Diversity promotes Philadelphia as an ethnically diverse visitor destination, encouraging multicultural business and social responsibility that contributes to and benefits from the varying multicultural communities that enhance the region’s hospitality and tourism industry.
- Rebecca Fisher is Co-Founder of Beyond the Bell Tours, Philadelphia’s #1 rated tour company and social enterprise that hosts inclusive historical walking tours that highlight the cities marginalized communities, peoples, and histories.
- Jeremy Sampson is CEO of the Travel Foundation, a UK-based, global organization that works with travel companies and destinations to better understand the impacts of tourism and maximize its benefits for local people and the environment. He is also Chair of the Future of Tourism Coalition, a collaborative effort to recenter the industry around a set of guiding principles.
Who should attend this webinar?
High net worth individuals, family offices, endowment/foundation leadership, investment professionals, pension fund trustees, nonprofit leaders, and anyone interested in broadening their investment horizons. If you are looking to move capital, this webinar is for you.