A 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Mr. Leslie sits on the board of multiple hospitality-related organizations, cultural advocacy organizations and holds a prestigious board seat on the United Nations World Tourism Council.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization
By unanimous vote of its Executive Council, The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), a specialized Agency of the United Nations, elected Edwin Leslie as an affiliate member. The meeting was the 95th session of the UNWTO and was held in Belgrade, Serbia on May 27, 2013.
The UNWTO is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. UNWTO’s membership includes 155 countries throughout the world and approximately 400 affiliate members worldwide representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations, and local tourism authorities.
UNWTO generates market knowledge, promotes competitive and sustainable tourism policies and instruments, fosters tourism education and training, and works to make tourism an effective tool for development through technical assistance projects in over 100 countries around the world.
Meeting Planners International
Edwin Leslie previously sat on the Leadership Advisory Board of Meeting Planners International.
Meeting Planners International strives to lead the world in education, networking, and innovative solutions that advance the meeting and event industry. MPI serves the entirety of the meeting and event industry, regardless of need, audience or specialization. MPI delivers leadership and education that are not only credible—they’re actionable. They empower the community to visualize and execute one-of-a-kind experiences that inspire people to evolve their outlooks, reexamine their preconceptions and take positive action.
HSMAI
Edwin Leslie played an integral role as a past member of the Board of Trustees of Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International.
HSMAI is a global organization of sales, marketing, and revenue management professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry while operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and sales, marketing, and revenue management disciplines, as well as connecting its members with customers. Founded in the United States in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprised of nearly 5,000 members from 35 countries and chapters worldwide.
Human Rights Campaign
Edwin Leslie is an advocate of global human rights and held a seat on the Leadership Advisory Board of the Human Rights Campaign.
By inspiring and engaging individuals and communities, the Human Rights Campaign strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. HRC envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people plus community members who use different language to describe identity are ensured equality and embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.