Diversity and inclusion in the workplace aren’t new concepts, but companies that organically realize these aspects in their culture undoubtedly see varied viewpoints and perspectives worked into their day-to-day operations. For some companies, this is simply part of their fabric and is quietly woven into their culture. 

Following a nearly three-year cessation from conferences and events in most industries due to the pandemic, events are back in a big way. As organizers begin crafting new events, there is an increased focus on inclusivity and accessibility for nursing mothers, largely due to the new Providing Urgent Maternal Protections (PUMP) for Nursing Mothers Act, which went into effect in April 2023. 

Inflation impacts all industries, and the event industry is no exception. An economic downturn means higher venue prices, even as the end of the COVID-19 state of emergency causes a greater demand for face-to-face events. And event professionals and teams are caught in the crossfire, forced to find ways to cut costs while still delivering ROI for event attendees. These pressures, in turn, can lead to burnout and turnover. 

Making events easily accessible and inclusive for neurodiverse participants — like those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and others — should be an essential consideration when planning any event, large or small. Let’s dive into how events could be tweaked to cater to everyone, no matter how your participants interact with the world around them.

Understanding Neurodiversity

When it comes to filling a book of business, we all know returning clients are an important piece of the puzzle. As we celebrate our 10^th anniversary at Radisson Blu Mall of America, we’ve seen how important — and fun! — long-standing event clients are. Whether it’s an annual event, or an account that started small and has grown into something different, lean into change to ensure event clients are dazzled year in and year out — and keep coming back. 

In today's globalized world, communication across different languages is more important than ever before. As businesses expand their operations into new markets, there is a growing need for interpreters to bridge language barriers and facilitate communication.

Personalization is the key to capturing consumer loyalty and creating strong customer ties. When you truly understand your audience’s unique preferences, you can create memorable experiences that keep them coming back for more. 

When selecting a venue for your event, many factors exist beyond location and price. Event surveys have consistently emphasized the importance of sustainability, collaboration, wellness and inclusivity.

Meeting planners view these elements as essential when selecting a venue — and are willing to pay a premium for venues that prioritize these practices, surveys say.

As the world becomes increasingly aware of the power of language and its potential to perpetuate biases and stereotypes, we must examine the words we use daily. This is especially important in the events industry, where we have an obligation to create inclusive and welcoming environments for all attendees, exhibitors, partners and more.

Most event marketers are facing an uphill battle right now as they try to build momentum for their event registrations. Sure, potential attendees may have seen a social post or email about their event, but did that compel them to drop everything and register for it? 

Most likely not. In fact, numerous studies have shown that registrants now need between five to 15 touch points before they commit to an event.