Everyone Welcome

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art

Thank you for attending. See below for valuable resources shared during today's event.

Resources

• Hospitable Me Glossary of DEIB Words
• Hospitable Me Understanding Identities
• Hospitable Me - Partnership with Bookings.com and Travel Proud Certification

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Destination Madison and HospitableMe are hosting a workshop designed to empower hospitality, tourism, and community partners to create a truly welcoming and inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ guests.

Industry leaders Billy Kolber and Kenny Porpora, co-founders of HospitableMe, will return to share their expertise on inclusive hospitality. This exclusive training for our partners will cover:

• Evolving LGBTQ+ language and culture
• Understanding the growing LGBTQ+ market
• Recognizing and addressing unconscious bias
• Overcoming challenges faced by LGBTQ+ travelers
• Effective marketing and engagement strategies
• Best practices for fostering a more inclusive community

Building on the success of our November 2023 workshop, we've expanded our training with fresh insights and actionable strategies.

Join us and invite members of your team to learn how to create exceptional experiences for everyone.

DONATIONS

We invite you to make a donation to the Destination Madison Foundation to help us cultivate a more inclusive and welcoming Madison. Your donation will support educational programs that enrich our community and enhance the visitor experience. By investing in our people, we strengthen our destination.

If you would like to learn more about the Destination Madison Foundation, please visit Destination Madison Foundation.

Meet Your Presenters 

Billy Kolber

Partner/Head of Strategy
Billy Kolber (he/they) empowers destinations and brands to provide a more inclusive, inviting and respectful welcome to historically underrepresented and excluded customers and guests. He has a degree in Biology, but has spent his entire career in travel, running an American Express travel agency before launching OUT&ABOUT, the first gay and lesbian travel magazine in the USA. Billy traveled and sang around the world with the Yale Whiffenpoofs and is a two-time annual Pie Contest champion in Water Island, NY. A 3rd generation New Yorker, Billy has visited 83 countries, and currently lives in Frankfurt Germany, with his husband.

Kenny Porpora 

Partner/Head of Education
Kenny Porpora (he/him) is the global leader in Inclusive Hospitality strategy, education and training services for tourism and hospitality. He and his team empower destinations and brands to provide a more inclusive, inviting and respectful welcome to historically underrepresented and excluded customers and guests. In HospitableMe's practice, Kenny is particularly focused on the intersection of multiple identity factors, neurodiversity and hidden disabilities.  An accomplished writer, Kenny is the lead author of the Everyone Welcome curriculum, and has created and curated content for some of the largest destination marketing organizations in the world. He is the New York Times best-selling author of The Autumn Balloon and his work has appeared in The New York Times, Buzzfeed, Salon and others. He has traveled to more than 25 countries and is a self-proclaimed puppy dog enthusiast.

Thank you Sponsors

This event is accessible through the generous support of our sponsors.

Hospitality Sponsors

Ally Sponsors

Lake Effect HR & Law

Madison Museum of Contemporary Art

The Rigby

Interested in sponsorship opportunities?
Contact Maureen Martin