TORONTO — With anti-Black racism dominating headlines around the world, the Canadian travel industry will get a chance to examine and address its own inequities during an upcoming virtual event on July 7.

Titled ‘Let’s Get Uncomfortable (LGU): Confronting Anti-Black Racism in Canada’s Travel Industry,’ the two-hour event will be moderated by LGU organizer Shalene Dudley, founder of Latitude Concierge, who will lead a panel of key industry executives. These include Maxine Gundermann market sales manager, Eastern Ontario at Celebrity Cruises; Margie Jordan, owner of Jordan Executive Travel Service; Kier Matthews, director of sales at Classic Vacations; and Tolu Aladejebi, founder of Black in Hospitality.

According to Dudley, the panel will address anti-Blackness in tourism from the perspectives of both travel professionals and travellers, while also addressing anti-racist action that viewers can implement within their own workplaces and organizations.

“Representation in the travel industry can be improved but it will take bold moves and dedicated change-makers willing to expand and collaborate to break through a system that is so deeply rooted in our consciousness,” says Dudley. “This ‘Let’s Get Uncomfortable’ event will be a place to have that conversation, force people to acknowledge the racism and disparities that exist, and hopefully inspire action and transformation.”

Travel professionals are being encouraged to contribute their own encounters with racism in travel here. Submissions will be shared during the discussion and are completely anonymous.

The virtual event, which will take place on Zoom on July 7 from 5-7 p.m. ET/2-4 p.m. PT, is open to all travel professionals. Free tickets are available “for those in a restrictive financial position”, although participants are encouraged to pay $15 to contribute to compensating panelists. Those looking to make a more substantial contribution are encouraged to pay $50. Businesses are also invited to contribute at “silent sponsors”, and can do so by contacting letsgetuncomfortableevent@gmail.com.

To register click here.

This is the second ‘Let’s Get Uncomfortable’ event, the first of which addressed gender equity in Canada’s travel industry in 2018. LGU was founded by a small group of travel professionals who are committed to bringing difficult conversations to the forefront of the Canadian travel industry. For more information go to letsgetuncomfortable.ca.