Words carry weight. In hospitality and design, where our work is built on relationships, the language we choose every day decides who feels invited into the room and who feels overlooked.
NEWH is a global community spanning chapters, cultures, and career stages. That breadth is a strength. It also means our communication has to work across more contexts than most organizations face. The way we write a job description, describe a colleague, or introduce a panelist either widens the door or quietly narrows it.
This page brings together external resources our community has found useful when navigating those choices. None of these guides are exclusive to NEWH or developed by NEWH. We share them as a starting point for ongoing dialogue, not as a final word.
Why this matters
Inclusive language is not about tiptoeing around topics or memorizing a list of approved terms. It is about precision. Saying what we mean clearly, with respect for the people we are describing, makes our work better and our communities stronger.
For designers, writers, leaders, and partners across NEWH, this matters in concrete ways. Job postings reach a wider talent pool. Award citations honour recipients accurately. Project briefs avoid assumptions that exclude end users. Panel introductions land with care rather than effort.
How to use this page
The resources below are grouped by focus area. Each link opens in a new window so you can keep this page open as a reference. Read them at your own pace. Bookmark what is useful. Share them with your team or chapter when relevant.
If you encounter terms or situations these guides do not cover, that is part of the work. Language evolves. We update this page as our community surfaces new resources worth sharing.
A note on intent
The content shared here is an effort to inspire inclusion and educate on equity, inclusion, and diversity with an open mind. We share it to open dialogue and engage with the harder questions of how we grow, invite, and include in today's industry.