A scheme to encourage conference goers to do business with racial minority, disabled, and LGBTQI+ owned
shops, restaurants, and convention services has won a sustainability award.
Destination DC’s DEI Business
Fellowship programme was launched in 2021, with the aim of helping marginalised
businesses get a ‘piece of the pie that is the $8bn hospitality industry in
Washington D.C’.
And yesterday it was named winner of
the GDS-Movement Innovation Award at the 2023 GDS-Awards, being held in
Valencia, Spain, during the 2023 GDS-Forum.
Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, Destination
DC, said: “Destination DC is thrilled to win the GDS-Movement Innovation
Award and honoured to be acknowledged for Destination DC’s DEI Fellowship
program as a sustainable and positive solution in hospitality.
“By engaging closely with our destination’s smaller
businesses and community members we can ensure companies that don’t have the
financial wherewithal can take advantage of opportunities to get a piece of the
pie that is the $8 billion hospitality industry in D.C. alone. We are proud of
this award and the advancement we are making to challenge our industry in DEI
and sustainability.”
The
2023 GDS-Awards Winners
The Leadership Award recognises the destination with the highest score on the GDS-Index, showcasing
its continual commitment and measurable impacts.
2023 Winner: Gothenburg, Sweden, represented by Göteborg & Co
The Most Improved Destination Award acknowledges
the participating GDS-Index destination with the highest score increase,
regardless of its ranking.
2023 Winner: Liverpool,
United Kingdom, represented by Liverpool Convention Bureau
Innovation Award
The Innovation Award celebrates destinations employing
innovative solutions to enhance sustainability performance.
2023 Winner: Washington
DC, United States of America, represented by Destination DC at Washington DC
The GDS-Movement and #MEET4IMPACT Impact
Award highlights a destination management organisation
committed to building positive legacy and impact through business events.
2023 Winner: Sydney, Australia, represented by BESydney
