Slowing Down Human Trafficking: The Role Meeting Planners and Hotels Can Play – Episode 147

January is national human trafficking awareness and prevention month. Sex trafficking is an issue that feels almost impossible to solve but if everyone took steps to recognize the signs and help we could make an impact. The International labor organization estimates that over 40 million people are living in trafficking worldwide, 1 out of 4 being children. This isn’t an issue in a far away country either, human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states. Everyone should be aware of human trafficking signs.

Today we will talk about how the Events and Meeting industry can take steps to slow human trafficking down. It’s a difficult and multi-sector issue and we are all responsible for helping prevent and catch it.

Joining us today is the iconic Michelle Guelbart, Director of Private Sector Engagement at ECPAT-USA. ECPAT-USA is a policy advocacy organization that works to end the sex trafficking of children. They are part of a larger international network with offices in 94 countries. She will teach us about human trafficking signs to look for and recognize potential trafficking situations, and why it’s important meeting and event planners take action and so much more. This is an episode you truly must watch.

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Below, in our Epic Resources section, we link the awesome insider favorites that were mentioned in this episode! You WANT to check these out! What has been your favorite episode so far? Comment below and let us know!

You’re watching this recording of our episode here on our blog, but wouldn’t you rather watch live, ask your own questions, and participate in person? Subscribe now to watch live! (We’ll remind you of upcoming episodes.) We would love for you to join us LIVE and bring your questions for our icons. This is all for you! And now for the main topic in the episode below, how meeting planners and hotels can stop human trafficking by looking for human trafficking signs and so much more.

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Follow our iconic guests on Twitter:
Brandt Krueger of Event Technology Consulting (@BrandtKrueger)
Michelle Guelbart of ECPAT-USA (@michelleguelb)
Check out the epic resources mentioned in this episode:
ECPAT-USA
International Labour Organization
American Airlines 
Airline Ticket Agent Saves 2 Teens from Suspected Trafficking Plot
The Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct
Training for Meeting and Events Professionals on Trafficking
Love 146