MARCH 28, 2022

Last-Minute Reminder for Wednesday's Partner Event:
LGBTQ+ DIVERSE AUDIENCE TRAINING

How can we collectively and individually make LGBTQ+ guests and customers feel more welcomed? What are best practices for marketing to and engaging with diverse consumers and communities? Seats are still available for this free 90-minute training session. Sign up your team today.

EVERYONE WELCOME
LGBTQ+ Diverse Audience Training

Wednesday, March 30 | 3:30–5 p.m.
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts| Downtown Asheville
Doors open 3 p.m. | Networking Reception follows until 6 p.m.

More About this Free Training Event

Explore Asheville has engaged with HospitableMe, a global leader in inclusive hospitality, to deliver their signature LGBTQ+ diverse audience training program for our internal team and tourism partners to accelerate our community’s efforts to extend a genuine invitation to diverse audiences.

HospitableMe provides inclusive hospitality strategy and training for tourism, retail and healthcare organizations, helping them provide a more respectful and inclusive welcome to historically excluded customers and guests.

What to Expect at 'Everyone Welcome'

HospitableMe co-founders Billy Kolber and Kenny Porpora (see more below) will discuss evolving language, the growing market, unconscious bias, and the challenges LGBTQ+ people face when traveling. They'll also address how we can collectively and individually make LGBTQ+ guests and customers feel more welcomed and share best practices for marketing to and engaging with diverse consumers and communities.

Meet the Presenters from HospitableMe

Billy Kolber, Co-Founder & CEO. Billy 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. At HospitableMe, Billy has advised some of the world’s more storied brands, including Booking.com, NYC & Company, The Kering Group, Discover Puerto Rico, The Travel Corporation, Bottega Veneta, AIG Travel, and Costa Navarino. He traveled and sang around the world with the Yale Whiffenpoofs and is a two-time annual Pie Contest champion in Water Island. A 3rd generation native New Yorker, Billy has visited 76 countries, and currently lives with his husband in Frankfurt, Germany.

Kenny Porpora, Co-Founder & Vice President. Trained as a journalist at Columbia, Kenny has created and curated content for some of the most prominent 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, Newsweek, Buzzfeed, Salon and others. He has traveled to more than 25 countries and is a self-proclaimed puppy dog enthusiast.

Safety Information

Wortham Center for the Performing Arts is being proactive in keeping its patrons, staff, and renters safe from COVID-19 and is continuing to require everyone who enters the building to wear masks. Masks may be taken off when eating or drinking. Vaccinations are encouraged and preferred but not required.

EXPLORE ASHEVILLE'S STRATEGIC IMPERATIVES
Deliver Balanced Recovery & Sustainable Growth | Encourage Safe & Responsible Travel |
Engage & Invite More Diverse Audiences | Promote & Support Asheville's Creative Spirit

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