Our work of driving inclusion at Expedia Group and designing a more equitable workforce would not be possible without our Global Inclusion Business Groups (IBGs), a subcategory of our Employee Resource Groups, who are specifically dedicated to systemic inclusion of historically excluded identities.
These employee-led groups provide spaces for our communities to connect through lived experiences and cultivate a sense of belonging, empower their members, collaborate across intersectional identities, and promote allyship to all employees across the company. We firmly believe that time dedicated to Inclusion should be embedded into the business and IBG board members should not face a choice between their hired role and leading their community, that’s why they are allocated 10% of their time to focus exclusively on their Global IBG programing.
At Expedia Group, there are eight Inclusion Business Groups:
- Asian Community at Expedia Group (Ace)
- Ability Inclusion Movement (Aim)
- Black Expedia Allied Movement (Beam)
- Indigenous Diversity
- Expedians & Allies (Idea)
- Pride
- Veterans at Expedia Group & Their Supporters (Vets)
- Women at Expedia Group Learning and Leading (Well)
Pride members
Ace members
As a result of organized, centralized, and focused leadership, IBGs have achieved a 20% year over year growth in total global membership with nearly 6,000 employees currently active in 1 or more IBGs. Allies are both welcome and critical in our effort to grow IBG membership and create equity within our workplace for our underrepresented identities. IBGs directly support Expedia Group’s commitment to creating a company where everyone can achieve their greatest potential.
Leadership development
Every election year, IBG board members go through a dedicated leadership onboarding program, ensuring they are equipped to succeed. Additionally, we invite subject matter experts and a career coach to build their competences and leadership skills. Their growth within the organization is a testament to how the professional skills gained through their IBG role directly contributed to advancing their careers.
Executive sponsorship
We are championing a new level of executive engagement at Expedia Group. These executive sponsors and advisors primarily partner with our IBG global board members to provide strategic guidance, an expanded platform, and prioritization based on the global goals the IBGs set annually.
Their active participation is one of the most critical components of impactful IBGs and an inclusive company. A perfect example was during our first IBG Leadership Summit in London last year, where they participated in an engaging and inspiring Executive Sponsor Panel.
Today and moving forward
Our efforts engaging our employees and building the future of our company start and end with our IBGs. Their early contributions over the years have created the foundation of our diverse and inclusive culture, and their recent progress has accelerated the efforts of our Inclusion & Diversity Team.
They are the original source of our company’s journey to full inclusion and remain one of the most powerful components of the entire program. They will continue to inform how we drive innovative policies and products, key business decisions, develop the next generation of leadership, and more. IBGs are paramount to the future success of our company.