Black Travel Summit Announces an Exciting Lineup for Its Second Year!
Queer Black travelers and content creators will be in attendance for the 2nd Annual Black Travel Summit in Miami! We’ve got the news on the Summit’s lineup and industry partners, including the inclusive Black Travel Alliance, an organization whose sole mission is to fight for diversity and inclusion within the travel industry!
Black Travel Summit proudly announces its highly anticipated second annual gathering of the Black travel community, set to take place from October 20 to 22, 2023, at Hyatt Centric Brickell Miami. This three-day celebration will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, a groundbreaking partnership with the Black Travel Alliance (BTA), and headlining support from Hyatt.
As the global Black travel movement continues to gain momentum, the summit aims to uplift and grow this thriving $160 billion market. Industry professionals and enthusiasts alike are invited to participate in a weekend filled with professional development and exciting bond-building activities in Miami. The summit’s action-packed itinerary includes a compelling speaker series, engaging workshops, give-back sessions, and add-on experiences, including a yacht brunch.
“We’re excited about the program for our second annual summit because it illustrates the ever-growing visibility, innovation, and economic power of the Black traveler and travel professional,” said Anita Francois, the visionary Founder and CEO of Black Travel Summit. “We’re honored to elevate our movement this year and highlight the leaders of our community by joining forces with the Black Travel Alliance.”
“We understand that while diversity may look different around the world, inclusion is felt universally,” said Tyronne Stoudemire, Global Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Hyatt. “In 2020, we announced Change Starts Here as a call upon ourselves to do better and be better and take bold steps to accelerate our DE&I efforts through actionable commitments around who we employ and develop, who we support, and who we buy from and work with. We are proud to continue our support and collaboration with Black Travel Summit, in an effort to help create inclusive travel spaces where people feel they belong.”
“The Hyatt and Black Travel Summit collaboration sparked from an organic conversation years ago with BTS’ very own Anita and Sherry,” says Tristan Dowell, Global Vice President, Global Sales, at Hyatt. “From that conversation, we learned that not only does the Black Travel Summit share Hyatt’s purpose of caring for people so they can be their best, but they’ve also played a crucial role in further educating us about the Black traveler experience. We are proud to be a part of the Black Travel Summit and to continue to celebrate and empower travel professionals as well as those aspiring to enter the industry and collaborate together in this changing World.”
Preceding the summit, on October 19 brands and creators will receive access to Wavelength Hybrid presented by the Black Travel Alliance, a premier in-person and virtual networking event connecting brands with Black creators to create engaging campaigns that intentionally reach the Black traveler. Brands can register to attend Wavelength through September 20. On Friday, October 20, the summit kicks off with a BlackAF (and Flossy) tour, guiding attendees through the rich Black food, history, and heritage of Miami. The day concludes with a media launch and welcome reception featuring bites and cocktails.
Saturday, October 21, will feature the main event at Hyatt Centric Brickell Miami, with a keynote address from Black Travel Alliance president Martinique Lewis and panels with esteemed speakers such as travel photographer and creator, Karl Shakur, Approved Jets co-founder Aaron Wilson, Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance founder Stephanie Jones, and more. The evening will be dedicated to celebrating Black excellence in travel at the Black Travel Awards Gala, where attendees will witness the presentation of the prestigious VICtor Awards and Black Travel Alliance’s Distinct 20 Awards.
The VICtor Awards acknowledge a diverse array of Black innovators in travel across six categories, including brands, journalists, creators, and now travel filmmakers with the Best Travel Short award. A distinguished judging panel, comprising travel journalist Travis Levius, travel professional Connie Kinnard, and travel creator Rick Southers, will select the winners. Submissions for the VICtor Awards are open now through August 25, with nominees to be announced on September 8. Additionally, during the Black Travel Awards Gala, the Black Travel Alliance will announce BTA Distinct 20, a prestigious honor society recognizing 20 individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Black travel space. BTA Distinct 20 awardees will receive a lifetime membership to the Black Travel Alliance in acknowledgment of their lasting impact on the community.
The Black Travel Summit will conclude on Sunday, October 22, with an expo and pop-up shop, shining a spotlight on Black-owned travel businesses and businesses catering to travelers. The day will also feature a series of nine workshops, covering topics such as becoming a travel influencer and diverse marketing strategies to engage Black travelers. The afternoon will close the summit with an industry meet-and-greet, a refreshing pool party, and an indulgent all-you-can-eat yacht brunch.
Ticket prices for the 4-day event range from $25 for an expo pass to $1,500 for a corporate all-access pass, which includes entry to all events and add-on experiences. Separate tickets for add-on experiences start at $105. For a detailed schedule, ticketing information, and more about the Black Travel Summit, please visit https://blacktravelsummit.com.
About Black Travel Summit:
Founded in 2019 by Anita Francois, Black Travel Summit is deeply committed to supporting, empowering, and fostering opportunities within the Black travel community. The organization has diligently cultivated an ecosystem that revolves around entertainment, groundbreaking events, and the rich tapestry of Black travel culture. Through their efforts, they aim to bridge the gap between Black travel businesses, career and entrepreneurial professionals, influencers, and every facet of the tourism supply chain. The Black Travel Summit is driven by a passion for sharing knowledge on destinations, cultures, trends, and travel products and services that are truly inclusive of people of color. They strive to create a space where diverse voices are heard, celebrated, and uplifted. Black Travel Summit has successfully organized 40+ virtual and in-person events, collaborating with 190+ speakers, partners, and sponsors. These efforts have reached over 9,000 travel enthusiasts and facilitated connections between numerous underrepresented brands and entities working to close the wealth gap in the Black community.
