Hong Kong Disneyland Resort hosts first Supplier Diversity Conference & Expo

On September 4, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) hosted its first-ever Supplier Diversity Conference & Expo at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel. The event aimed to highlight the importance of supplier diversity, attracting over 700 participants from more than 300 organizations across various industries.

At Disney, the belief is that magic is for everyone. Inclusion has been a core value since Walt Disney envisioned Disneyland, famously stating, “To all who come to this happy place: Welcome.”

HKDL offers culturally rich experiences for guests of all ages and backgrounds, embodying a commitment to inclusivity, which aligns with Disney’s five key values: safety, courtesy, show, efficiency, and inclusion.

Michael Moriarty, managing director of HKDL, emphasized, “We embrace a culture where all employees can do their best work, and provide programs and resources to empower inclusive leaders. When it comes to content, we strive to ensure the stories we tell and the experiences we provide reflect the diversity of our guests from around the globe.”
Suppliers are vital to HKDL’s business ecosystem. The resort’s focus on supplier diversity ensures that its supply chain includes businesses owned by underrepresented groups, such as women, ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Diverse suppliers, much like the park’s heroes, play crucial yet often overlooked roles. Including them in the supply chain enables the resort to access innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective solutions.

The strength of supplier diversity lies in the unique ideas and perspectives these suppliers bring. HKDL believes that with the right support, these businesses can thrive, fostering economic empowerment and job creation within the community.

In 2021, The Walt Disney Company committed to investing at least US$1 billion annually in diverse suppliers by the end of fiscal 2024. Remarkably, this goal was met a year early, in fiscal 2023.

Lesz Banham, chief financial officer of HKDL, stated, “Wherever possible, we strive to include a diverse supplier in our requests for proposal projects to give them a fair and equal opportunity to earn business. This becomes easier as the pool of qualified diverse suppliers grows.”

Currently, HKDL collaborates with over 20 diverse suppliers across various sectors, offering a wide range of products and services, from entertainment decor to food and technology. The resort is dedicated to increasing its spending on diverse suppliers and encouraging partners to do the same for greater economic impact.

Eva Chan, the costuming manager at HKDL, highlighted the importance of collaborating with women-owned businesses. She stated, “If you ask me what Hong Kong Disneyland brings to women-owned businesses, I would say it is the other way round – they support us in many ways. It is incredibly special for me to work with these committed and talented women in Hong Kong.”

Manfred Wong, the director of Food & Beverage at HKDL, explained that they have collaborated with NGOs to provide custom food products. They started with small quantities and have steadily increased their engagement over the years, ensuring their success throughout the process.

While Josephine Tang, the director of Strategic Sourcing & Supply Chain at HKDL, emphasized the wider benefits of involving NGOs as suppliers: “This not only provides training and job opportunities for individuals with disabilities, but also helps service users build their self-esteem. They feel included in society and take pride when their products are used by our guests. This is true community inclusion.”

As many diverse suppliers are well-established, numerous others remain to be discovered. Together, HKDL believes that collective efforts can drive meaningful change.