HOW I CARRY ON
GET TO KNOW IGLTA ’ S LOANN HALDEN
Learn how the organization ’ s Vice President of Communications got her start and what she wants advisors to know .
WORDS / JENNA BUEGE
LoAnn Halden
For members of the LGBTQ + community , exploring the world isn ’ t always easy . No one understands this more than the folks at the International LGBTQ + Travel Association ( IGLTA ), who , with their extensive network of LGBTQ + -welcoming tourism businesses , are working to create a more equitable and safe travel experience for LGBTQ + people around the globe .
Want to learn more ? We caught up with LoAnn Halden , vice president of communications for IGLTA , to talk about this awesome organization and how she got her start in it .
Q : What ’ s your background ? Have you always wanted to work in a communications role ? What about travel ? A : My mother worked in reservations for TWA before I was born , and I grew up hearing stories about her traveling in Europe and North Africa in the 1950s , so the travel bug bit early on . Careerwise , I always knew I wanted to be a writer and I have a degree in journalism . It took me several years to figure out how to put them together , but eventually the stars aligned , and I became a travel writer .
Q : When did you start working for IGLTA and what sparked your interest in the company ? A : I attended my first IGLTA convention in Toronto in 2009 , and it was like a family reunion with travel industry / media friends . Later that same year , they decided to create a media relations position in the association and some people in the network recommended me to IGLTA President / CEO John Tanzella . The rest is history .
Q : What does your day-to-day look like as the VP of Communications for IGLTA ? A : We all work remotely , and the staff is in 12 countries so there ’ s a lot of Zoom , chat and email because we really enjoy connecting and collaborating . My role combines internal and external communications strategy and execution for both IGLTA and the IGLTA Foundation .
Q : What is your favorite thing about your job ? A : My team is fantastic and so are our members . They inspire me every day . I feel very fortunate to play a small part in creating a more welcoming landscape for LGBTQ + travelers .
Q : Something I observed at the IGLTA 40th Anniversary Global Convention is the close bond members have with one another ; can you touch on that ?
A : Tourism attracts people who are interested in different cultures and the diversity of this amazing planet . The IGLTA convention adds an extra layer to that : tourism professionals who are dedicated to creating LGBTQ + welcoming experiences . As a result , it ’ s a convention filled with like-minded people celebrating travel and inclusion in a safe space where they can be themselves . It ’ s joyous ! Our members return year after year to do business with their IGLTA family . I even met my wife through the IGLTA network .
Q : Since joining IGLTA , what has been the most meaningful project you ’ ve worked on ? What ’ s so special about it ? A : I am especially proud of the projects we ’ ve created through our charitable IGLTA Foundation to empower LGBTQ + tourism professionals in emerging destinations , particularly those with homophobic and transphobic laws . When you live in a place where
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