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WELCOME
Letter from the President
BY SARAH OATES | ALASKA CHARR PRESIDENT & CEO
SHE
On Monday , May 8 , at Fox Hollow Chalet in Anchorage , 150 incredible women from around the state gathered for SHE – Alaska CHARR ’ s inaugural Women of Hospitality Conference !
The Alaska CHARR Dream Team in collaboration with female industry leaders around Alaska , our partners at the National Restaurant Association and American Hotel & Lodging Association , and government officials around the state are helping create new opportunities for advancement in hospitality where historically women make up almost 65 % of entry and mid-level jobs .
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The hospitality industry , once criticized for its lack of commitment to gender equity , is experiencing a paradigm shift in culture post-pandemic . Like many business sectors , women have gotten stuck on the “ broken rung ” or the first level of management – but now , women are coming back to work in hospitality businesses faster than most industries while outpacing male workers – and they are eager to advance ! Forward-leaning companies and changemakers in hospitality are committed to creating workplaces where everyone is equally supported and empowered to realize their full potential . These changemakers
THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY , ONCE CRITICIZED FOR ITS LACK OF COMMITMENT TO GENDER EQUITY , IS EXPERIENCING A PARADIGM SHIFT IN CULTURE POST- PANDEMIC . seek out solutions more than they point to problems , and they dare to dream and have the courage to see and do things differently to shape their lives and communities around them .
SHE attendees heard from these changemakers and remarkable keynote speakers , thought leaders , female powerhouses in the industry , educators , and regulators on a wide array of topics that provided them with knowledge , resources , empowerment , inspiration , and comradeship . We barrel laughed . We cried . We hugged . We ate . We drank . We made many new friends . We took hundreds of photos . We embraced our own power . We uplifted each other . We celebrated one another and appreciated the countless men in our lives who have supported , encouraged , and fought for us , too . We supported many female-owned Alaska businesses – from the creators of the Boss Bag products to the caterer .
Most importantly , we left feeling empowered with new allyships and inspiration to make our businesses , careers , and dreams more successful . We look forward to having you joining us for an even more badass conference in 2024 !
At your service ,
ALASKA CHARR MAGAZINE | 3