👉 Is tomorrow's event more inclusive?
Boosted by new societal expectations, economic necessities, and everyone's demands, inclusivity is a real performance lever for event organizers.
Inclusivity, also called inclusion, is part of the social side of a company's CSR, but it is also, and above all, a strategic decision. The actions taken aim to prevent situations of discrimination related in particular to disability, age, social or cultural origin, gender, sexual orientation, physical appearance, or social situation.
📈 In January 2020, a study by the consulting firm Deloitte reveals the following indicators:
- An inclusive policy could generate up to 30% more revenue per employee
- 80% of HR directors and executives consider diversity and inclusion to be competitive advantages
- 57% of 18-34 year-olds believe their company should increase diversity and inclusion in the workplace
- 40% of executives and HR directors believe that senior management should be the main sponsor of diversity and inclusion
🌟 For 2022, think inclusive events!
Dear EventProfs, your events are the showcase of your company! They represent the image and values you want to communicate to your attendees. Your inclusion strategy deserves special attention, whether your events are virtual or in-person.
1. Why is inclusivity important for your event?
Do you want your events to reach a better level of acuity, innovation, and engagement? Inclusion may be the solution to convey a positive image, improve your reputation and stay consistent with the values your audience is looking for.
When we think about increasing the inclusivity of events, we automatically think about panel composition, and we focus almost exclusively on achieving gender balance. That's an excellent first step. But many other aspects of an event can be taken into account. Increasing diversity and inclusion at your events may seem like a huge change, but it just takes a bit of forward thinking.
🤔 But what's the difference between diversity and inclusion? Diversity is the representation of a variety of profiles. To sum up, diversity is a fact, while inclusion is a choice. Diversity is about surrounding yourself with different people. Inclusion means working with different people without pointing out that they are different. It's the decision to bring a person into a group where everyone feels they belong. This comes, among other things, from a sense of belonging and good cohesion among attendees.
🌟 What event professional doesn't want to improve the experience and satisfaction of their attendees ? Imagine an event where everyone experiences and enjoys the same activities without distinction. An event where everyone feels heard, understood, and can easily identify with a panel of speakers who represent them. This approach pays off and requires little financial investment. Beyond satisfaction, it fosters interactivity, innovation, creativity, and also attendee loyalty.
👉 And why not offer a disability awareness experience at your next event? Help your staff and attendees become aware of the challenges of inclusion!
2. The "inclusive event" checklist"
First, set yourself SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound) and proactively find ways to achieve them. Here is a list of the right questions to ask to know in which area your event's inclusivity should be improved. ✅
Communication
- Are your website and communication materials accessible to people with disabilities? Remember to adapt and vary formats (images, videos, text, etc.)!
- Do your images and visuals reflect the experiences of a diverse population (without reproducing existing stereotypes)?
- Are your documents (invitations, print or video materials, etc.) translated into English?
Accessibility of venues & premises
- Is the venue fully accessible for people with specific mobility needs (e.g. reserved parking spaces for people with reduced mobility, elevator, ramp, automatic doors, automatic door-opening buttons, door width)?
- Are the lighting and acoustics adequate?
- Is the signage understandable for everyone?
- Are there reserved front-row seats for deaf or hard-of-hearing people? A separate room for specific needs (breastfeeding, rest, etc.)? Or restroom stalls adapted for people with reduced mobility?
Planning
- Have you put in place a code of conduct specifying behaviors that will not be tolerated during the event? Make sure it's available and visible on the event's webpage and on the distributed materials (flyer, brochure, etc.)!
- Do you offer different ticket price tiers? Do you take into account the different purchasing power of your attendees (why not offer free or discounted tickets for people with reduced mobility to offset extra travel costs)?
- Can attendees request specific accommodations when registering?
- Do the name badges display high enough contrast and large characters?
- Do you accept service animals?
- Have you arranged for an interpreter?
- Can pregnant women or people with disabilities benefit from priority access in the queue?
- Does the event date coincide with a religious holiday, depending on the target audiences?
- If meals or drinks are provided, are dietary needs, allergies, and food restrictions taken into account? Do I offer food alternatives? Do I list the ingredients?
- Is your staff properly trained on inclusion issues? Have you told them in advance about zero tolerance for sexist, racist, or homophobic remarks?
- Is there diversity in the selection of speakers and the composition of panels and round tables?
- Are speaking slots/talk time distributed fairly?
- Is the moderator sufficiently trained on non-discrimination and respect issues to be able to step in if needed?
Evaluation
- Do the evaluation forms include a section on the event's inclusivity?
- Do the evaluation forms allow attendees to share their impressions (e.g. via open-ended questions)?
👉 With Digitevent, you can know and manage your list of attendees and the audience reached clearly and precisely, and also build your own statistics on the data you want to analyze!
3. The example of events organized by the IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature in France (IUCN) is an association that brings together experts and a network of public bodies working on biodiversity issues, for businesses and local authorities. In line with its values (equality, inclusion, integrity, ethical behavior, and respect for the diversity of people), the organization positions itself as a genuine driver of change for inclusion, particularly on the issue of gender equality. 🌟
For several years, it has implemented a strategy for integrating gender equality issues at all its events:
"All IUCN events, including the IUCN World Conservation Congress, aim to achieve gender equality in their governance as well as in active and passive participation. IUCN's top priority was to make the Congress a professional, respectful, inclusive, and harassment-free experience for everyone."
👉 In addition to this strategy, the IUCN has also put in place an anti-harassment policy. To do this, it follows the advice of the "Guide for a Gender-Responsive Assembly" produced by International Gender Champions. As the host country of the Congress, the French government also shared this commitment and integrated gender equity processes and monitoring throughout its preparation and implementation.
When the event perfectly represents the organization and its values, it's also a mark of consistency and credibility! 👍
To properly meet its objectives and establish a realistic and concrete action plan, the organization published a document presenting its strategy for integrating gender equality issues in 4 parts: objective, applicability, strategic objectives, and tools (before the event, during the event, after the event).
The IUCN shares a strong message with us and positions itself as a great example of inclusion in the events industry, accessible to all EventProfs! ✅
4. Promote and unite your events with AFNOR labels! ❇️
The "Gender Equality Event" label certifies that an event was prepared and took place with respect for gender equality. Awareness-raising initiatives, a listening mechanism, action against gender stereotypes, building bridges with stakeholders: various solutions to fight gender inequality are provided through this certification. Co-developed with government services to certify the G7 Summit, the AFNOR label, the French leader in certification, is aimed at any event organizer : festival, concert, sporting event, or any other type of gathering.
What commitments must be met to obtain the label?
- Conduct an assessment and risk analysis regarding gender equality
- Formalize management's commitment to fighting inequality, which involves clear communication to teams about this commitment and the appointment of a point person on the matter
- Implement concrete actions to make gender equality possible
- Provide the necessary resources to achieve the expected results
- Create a listening mechanism and communicate it to teams
- Raise awareness and communicate internally to fight stereotypes
- Provide evidence that equality is being taken into account
- Communicate and raise awareness externally on gender equality issues, both in the context of local presence and in relations with suppliers and local stakeholders
- Implement an internal evaluation system and continuous improvement
- Apply exemplary measures
The "Gender Equality Event" label showcases the quality and professionalism of your event, strengthens the trust of your partners, institutional bodies, and funders, structures your event to make it more responsible, and also proves your legitimacy to act for the cause of gender equality! 👨🎓 👩🎓
It's also an excellent way to attract new talent to your company, and to stand out from other event organizers through your dynamic commitment to gender equality.
💪 Two other labels to discover for more exemplary and attractive events!
1. The Fédération des Entreprises d'Insertion co-created with AFNOR in February 2020 the label RSEi (Corporate Social Responsibility of Inclusive Companies), which certifies your company's level of maturity regarding CSR-related inclusion.
2. The alliance of the Diversity and Professional Equality labels from AFNOR (these are two distinct labels that can be combined into a common core) aims to showcase all your commitments and practical needs regarding the prevention of inequality.
Conclusion
Beyond following inclusion-related trends, it's just as important to foster the human side of events. Some international initiatives are inspiring: two committed British women, Gabrielle Austen Browne and Ashanti Bentil Dhue, created their own consulting and strategic workshop agency: Diversity Ally. The agency works with the events industry to make it more diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Many opportunities are there to be seized to reap the benefits of inclusivity. Thanks to the many players trying to move things forward and keep up with the times, it is now possible for all event organizers to improve their inclusive approach and offer your attendees supportive and committed events that reflect who you are! 🌟
