This year’s IGLTA Convention, held in Palm Springs, Calif., broke the record for the largest ever, with more than 750 attendees from 30 countries and territories attending. IGLTA CEO/President John Tanzella, who himself recently relocated to Palm Springs, noted how difficult it was for many international attendees to attend this year’s convention, given the current administrations’ policies and many travelers’ fears of the U.S.’s status today.
“It’s a challenge for us living here in a lot of ways, as you can imagine, but I really do feel like we’re stronger together, and we thank you to all our allies that are here supporting us … we’re celebrating diversity here.”
Tanzella also gave a particular shout-out to Canadian and Mexican attendees, happily noting that the largest delegation of international attendees this year came from Mexico.
IGLTA’s CEO/President John Tanzella at the 2025 Global Convention in Palm Springs, Calif. (Photo Credit: Photo by Paul J. Heney.)
Gender diverse guide release
The convention also saw the long-awaited launch of IGLTA Foundation’s Gender Diverse Travel Advisory Group’s guide, a new resource for navigating global travel for trans and gender diverse travelers.
Trans and gender diverse travelers have always been part of the global travel community, yet they continue to face distinct safety challenges and barriers. As visibility increases worldwide, this guide provides essential tools to help travelers plan and explore the world with more confidence and peace of mind.
The guide contains practical tips for gender diverse travelers, such as:
• Basics of local laws, customs, and safety considerations
• How to ensure that identification aligns with gender identity on travel documents and visas
• Traveling with hormones, prosthetics, and other medical necessities
• Details on navigating border crossings by air, sea, and land
“Travel is a form of freedom, and for trans and gender diverse travelers, it’s also an act of visibility and courage. This guide supports those journeys, but the work doesn’t end here. More tools, policies, education and industry-wide support are needed so that, one day, every traveler can move through the world safely as their most authentic self without fear and trepidation,” said Gabrielle Claiborne, GTAG Chair & CEO of Transformation Journeys Worldwide.
Working through difficult times
One of the most powerful presentations of the convention was a panel on “leading through uncertainty,” moderated by Laura Schwartz, author of Eat, Drink & Succeed. Panelists were Jean-Marie Navetta, Vice President of Learning, Out & Equal; Michelle Mason, President & CEO, American Society of Association Executives; and Susan Santiago, former President, Hyatt USA and Canada.
Queer travelers today need to know deep down that they’ll be welcome when they arrive at their destination, and it can be the difference between booking a trip or staying home. LGBTQ travelers are often choosing destinations and itineraries based on whether it feels safe to even show up. So in these fraught political times for many queer travelers, Schwartz guided the conversation on how managers in the travel industry can lead successfully.
Speaking at an IGLTA panel are, left to right, Michelle Mason, Susan Santiago, Jean-Marie Navetta, and Laura Schwartz. (Photo Credit: Photo by Paul J. Heney.)
“I think the biggest thing is being humble and honest,” said Navetta. “You have to admit when you don’t have the roadmap—but show you are committed to figuring it out with people. In the most confusing moments, we don’t need someone pretending they ‘know how to do this,’ because we know nobody does. If someone claims they do, that’s a problem … collaboration builds trust. And you need to listen to everyone, inclusive of background—especially across generations.”
“Leading through uncertainty means recognizing that we have feelings too—we need help. It’s the ‘put on your own oxygen mask first’ idea,” explained Mason. “For me, I reach out to my network—my tribe. That’s where I can be vulnerable. They give me wisdom and hope to come back the next day. This is an unusual moment. We don’t have a roadmap. We must give ourselves grace.”
Santiago, recently retired from Hyatt after 33 years, rose from a server to become the first female President of Hyatt for the U.S. and Canada. She said that her leadership is grounded in servant leadership—being of service to her team.
“I spend time creating an environment that is psychologically safe. That’s hard to do, and it changes daily. Challenges come at us hourly—in the workplace and in our communities,” she said. “Creating a space where people can have courageous conversations isn’t easy. After about 27 years, I finally allowed myself to be vulnerable. I learned this during COVID—sharing with my team how I was doing. It made us stronger.”
Santiago also said that her team spent a lot of time having difficult conversations, acknowledging they didn’t have all the answers, and ensuring that diverse perspectives—across generations, ethnicities, backgrounds—were at the table.
“It helped me be a better leader,” she stressed. “And I learned to celebrate wins. Today’s environment requires celebrating wins to keep teams motivated and hopeful.”
Navigating DEI
Navetta said that her biggest message for those worried about the administration’s crackdown on DEI policies is that “this work should not go anywhere. Stay the course.”
“But the course looks different now,” she said. :There’s misinformation, politicized language, confusion. We talk about language—because DEI ultimately comes down to belonging. Is belonging codified in policy? In practice? In culture?” she asked.
One of the biggest opportunities: stop doing this work in isolation. Do it intersectionally—not by putting a diverse panel on stage and calling it “diversity,” but by examining identity + power and how that shapes our work. That’s how we engage a generation more diverse than any before,” she said.
And Santiago has two steps she recommended to the whole audience.
“First, prioritize your well-being,” she said. “The world is constantly moving; crises come nonstop. If you don’t find space to disconnect and find peace, you won’t lead well—for your teams, family, or community. After decades on the treadmill, I realized I wasn’t prioritizing myself. Leaders spend so much time taking care of others—we must pause and ask, What do I need for clarity?”
“Second: create a ritual,” she continued. “The world is chaotic. Every morning, I identify three things I’m grateful for. It centers me emotionally. One of today’s was being on this panel. Find something that brings daily joy—running, journaling, reflection. Especially now.”
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