The San Diego Tourism Authority is excited to announce the 10 area businesses that will be the first participants in the SDTA Tourism Accelerator, a program launched to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the local tourism industry.
The companies chosen for the Accelerator’s debut represent a wide variety of business sectors, from bars and restaurants to event organizers to marketing and training specialists – even a comedy troupe.
What they share is diversity in ownership: All the businesses chosen are operated by people of color, women, veterans or those who identify as LGBTQ+.
The companies were selected from among nearly 50 applicants for the pilot program, which will provide free mentoring, education and networking opportunities as well as SDTA membership. The full package is valued at more than $10,000.
Bank of America and SDG&E are the financial sponsors of the Accelerator, one of the first of its kind in the country.
“When it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, they must be intentional and have a business case,” said Julie Coker, president and CEO of the SDTA.
“The goal of this Tourism Accelerator is to increase the number of diverse businesses in our membership base, because that will give our visitors more diverse products from which to choose. When we grow the number of diverse businesses, we are helping to ensure the local tourism recovery is equitable for everyone, and that is a win-win for our residents and our visitors.”
Here are the inaugural participants:
Access Trax LLC: Provider of portable access mats that ensure stable surfaces for mobility device users to easily access outdoor recreation over sand, grass, gravel and snow.
Owner – Kelly Twichel
Woman-owned business
Alternative Strategies: A full-service marketing and PR agency focused exclusively on the hospitality industry.
Owner – William Lopez
Hispanic/Latinx, LGBTQ+-owned business.
Common Theory Public House: Bar and restaurant.
Owner – Cristian Liang
Asian-owned business.
Fargo’s BBQ/Jamaican Cuisine: Jamaican cuisine caterer and food truck.
Owner – Jacinth (Elaine) Williams
Black, Jamaican, woman-owned business.
Finest City Improv: Improvisational comedy shows and classes.
Owner – Amy Lisewski
LGBTQ+, woman-owned business.
Game Face Video SD: Creative-youth developer and technical training company in the field of video and photography. Owner – Regina V. Greenlee
Black, veteran-owned business.
Gossip Grill: Lesbian/LGBTQ+bar.
Owner – Moe Girton
LGBTQ+, woman-owned business.
It’s In the Details: A boutique travel and event company with concierge-style services.
Owner – Nita Cintron
Black, woman-owned business.
Pop Up Picnic Co.: Luxury picnic event company.
Owner – Lauren Kimmons
Woman-owned business.
Social Artistry LLC: Event company with a focus on empowering diverse communities.
Owner – Lauren Garces
Asian, woman-owned business.
See the full Accelerator news release here. For more information, visit the SDTA’s Accelerator page.
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