Gerardo (Gary) Sanchez
Senior Director, Community Impact, Equity & Public Affairs
Visit Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Describe your job.
I currently serve Visit Dallas working to foster relationships with community partners, stakeholders, and elected officials. I also develop and foster relationships with chambers of commerce and state and national associations related to travel, tourism, hospitality, and policy.
I collaborate with our chief DEI officer to develop and implement internal and external diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and programs; coordinate with our agency sales team to identify, bid, and host future DEI meetings, conventions, and sporting events; and monitor the internal M/WBE (minority- and women-owned business enterprises) Supplier Diversity Plan, which adds improved contract language relevant to M/WBE inclusion and tracks M/WBE spending.
I lead and participate in advocacy activities related to the tourism industry, as well as engage in related state legislative items. I serve as Visit Dallas’ liaison with the mayor, city council, and city staff.
I collaborate with Visit Dallas’ marketing and communications department on communications, public relations initiatives, and crisis communications. And I represent Visit Dallas at events and in organizations, including the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.
What made you choose the meetings and events industry?
In an unconventional way, the meetings and events industry chose me. From 2011 to 2013, I worked at the Dallas Mayor and City Council Office as an assistant to a council member. I left that to pursue a career as a communications director for a major global brand. A few years later, a former Dallas City Hall colleague approached me about an opportunity to serve as a liaison between Visit Dallas and the Dallas City Council, plus work with legislative affairs. I joined Visit Dallas in January 2017, and it’s been wonderful.
How did you get started and what got you from there to today?
I feel I’m still ‘green’ as it relates to the meetings and events industry; however, with the support and guidance from a wonderful team at Visit Dallas, I feel I’ve established myself well there and in the industry.
How do you keep up with industry trends, changes, and cutting-edge developments?
I’m very fortunate that Visit Dallas supports my membership in Destinations International, where I serve as co-chair of the Advocacy Committee and am a member of the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Additionally, Visit Dallas supports our engagement with the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association and local diversity councils, just to name a few organizations.
What essential skills should every industry professional possess?
I feel every industry professional should be flexible, empathetic, have the skill of multitasking, and should work on improving their emotional intelligence. Also important is always searching for the silver lining. I’m thankful 2020 brought the topic of mental health to the workplace. Once-hidden subjects that were inappropriate to address at the office, mental health and well-being surfaced as basic needs and now are being addressed within our industry. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed a reassessment of personal priorities, the desire for flexibility in work schedules, and the need for a legitimate work-life balance. The pandemic left us with a heightened sense of empathy leading to improved emotional intelligence, guiding us to address mental health and well-being thus leading us to explore policies, programs, services, and other resources for our friends and co-workers. At Visit Dallas, one of our core values is sustainability as it relates to the environment, but also the sustainability of self—to be aware of one’s own mental health and well-being—and we are seeking ways our organization can provide the tools and resources to sustain oneself and be successful.
What is the philosophy or approach to work that gets you through stressful times?
Just like in school in a tough class or studying for a hard test, I know at some point soon this too shall pass.
What is the best professional advice you ever received, and what advice do you have for others in the industry?
The best professional advice I’ve received is to never burn bridges. You never know when you are going to need some contacts again. The advice I’d like to give people is to always strive to exceed expectations.
Describe your biggest professional success.
A great success was working with Visit Dallas leadership, other Texas DMOs, major corporations, and other like-minded partners to defeat harmful and discriminatory state legislation. We helped defeat it not once, but twice. It is important to recognize that what may be occurring at a state-legislature level is not truly reflective of all cities and communities in any state. Dallas, where I live and work, is an inclusive city that not only values diversity but celebrates it. We are continually challenged with harmful legislation, and in resisting (and sometimes defeating) such legislation, we’ve been able to strengthen relationships with local, state, and national organizations that have like-minded values.
Share an anecdote about a meeting or event that did not go as planned (something funny or odd) and how you handled it.
I’ll just say that it’s always a good meeting or event if you don’t have to call and apologize to people the next day.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is the people I work with and the industry professionals I connect with. When I started, I had little experience or knowledge about meetings and conventions or about the travel, tourism, or sporting events industry; but from the very first day, I felt welcome and embraced at Visit Dallas and within the industry. I’ve learned so much from my colleagues and counterparts across the country because I wasn’t ashamed to ask questions or simply learn from observing other professionals.
What do you like to do in your free time?
When I have a lot of free time, I love to travel. When I have just a bit of downtime, I like to sit on the couch and watch mindless television. In my spare time, I like to learn about nature, ecology, and history.
