For 2022, rethink the inclusivity of your events!

👉 Is the event of tomorrow more inclusive? Every industry is looking to have its workplace represent society as a whole. This has made inclusivity is a real performance lever for event organizers. Inclusivity is integrated into the social part of the company's CSR, but it is also a strategic decision. The actions carried out are aimed at preventing situations of discrimination related 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 revealed the following indicators:

• An inclusive policy would generate up to 30% higher income per employee 
• 80% of HR managers and executives consider diversity and inclusivity to be competitive advantages
• 57% of 18- to 34-year-olds believe their company should increase diversity and inclusivity in the workplace
• 40% of executives and HR managers believe that senior management should be the primary sponsor of diversity and inclusivity
  

🌟 For 2022, think inclusive event planning!
Dear EventProfs, your events reflect your company! They represent the image and values you want to communicate to your attendees. Your inclusivity strategy must be given special attention, whether your events are virtual or physical.

1. Why is Inclusivity important for your event?

Do you want your events to reach a higher level of acuity, innovation, and engagement? Inclusivity may be the answer to conveying a positive image, enhancing your reputation, and being consistent with the values your audience is looking for.

With an effective inclusivity policy, your events can quickly become more critical, more credible, more impactful, and therefore more engaging.

When we think about increasing event inclusivity, we automatically think about panel composition and focus on achieving gender balance. That's a great first step. But there are many other aspects of an event that can be addressed. Some managers may not know where to start when it comes to increasing diversity and inclusivity at your events, but it just takes a little thought ahead of time. 

🤔 But what is the difference between diversity and Diversity is the representation of a variety of profiles. To summarize, diversity is a fact, while inclusivity is a choice. Diversity is about surrounding yourself with different people. Inclusivity is about making a concerted effort to work with people of all different backgrounds. It is the decision to integrate a person into a group, where everyone feels they belong. This involves, among other things, a sense of belonging, and a feeling of cohesion between participants.

🌟 What event professional doesn't want to improve the experience and satisfaction of their participants? Imagine an event where everyone experiences and enjoys the same activities without distinction. An event during which everyone feels heard, understood, and where it is easy to identify, thanks to a panel of speakers who represent them. This strategy of inclusion yields positive results and requires little financial investment. In addition to satisfaction, it promotes interactivity, innovation, creativity, and the loyalty of your participants.

👉 And why not offer a disability awareness experience at your next event? Get your employees and participants to rally around the topic of inclusivity!

2. The "inclusive event" checklist

First and foremost, set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) goals and proactively find ways to achieve them. Here's a list of good questions to ask yourself to find out where your event's inclusivity needs to be improved. ✅

Communication

• Are your website and communication materials accessible to people with disabilities? Think about adapting and varying formats (images, videos, texts, etc.)!
• Do your images and visuals reflect the experiences of a diverse population (without reproducing existing stereotypes)?
• Are the documents (invitation, paper or video materials, etc.) translated in various languages?

Accessibility of venue & space

• Is the location fully accessible for people with special mobility needs (e.g., parking spaces for people with limited mobility, elevator, ramp, automatic doors, automatic door openers, the width of doors)?
• Are the lighting and acoustics fit to meet everyone’s needs? 
• Is the signage understandable for everyone?
• Are there reserved seats in the front row for people who are deaf or hard of hearing?
• Is there a separate room for special needs (breastfeeding, resting, etc.)?
• Are there toilet cubicles adapted for PRM?

Planning

• Do you have a code of conduct in place that specifies behaviors that will not be tolerated during the event? Make sure it is available and visible on the event's webpage and on distributed materials (flyer, brochure, etc.)!
• Do you offer different ticket price classes? Do you take into account the different purchasing power of your participants (why not offer free or discounted tickets for people with reduced mobility to compensate for extra travel costs)? 
• Can participants request special accommodations when they register?
• Do name tags have high contrast and large print?
• Do you allow service animals?
• Do you have an interpreter?
• Can pregnant women or people with disabilities be given priority in line?
• Does the date of the event coincide with a religious holiday?
• If meals or beverages are provided, are diets, allergies, and dietary restrictions taken into account? Do you offer food alternatives? Do you indicate the ingredients?
• Is your staff properly trained on inclusivity issues? Have you warned them in advance about zero tolerance for sexist, racist, or homophobic comments?

Animation

• Is there diversity in the selection of speakers, the composition of panels, and round tables? 
• Are the presentation/ speaking times fair?
• Is the facilitator sufficiently trained on non-discrimination and respect issues to be able to intervene if necessary?

Evaluation 

• Do the evaluation forms contain a section on the inclusivity of the event?
• Do the evaluation forms allow for feedback (e.g., via open-ended questions)?

👉 Thanks to Digitevent, you can clearly and accurately know and manage the list of your participants and the audience reached, but also establish 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 around biodiversity issues, for companies and local authorities. In line with its values (equality, inclusivity, integrity, ethical behavior, and respect for the diversity of people), the organization positions itself as a real actor of change in favor of inclusivity, more specifically on the issue of gender equality. 🌟

 For several years, it has implemented a strategy of integrating gender 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 through active and passive participation. IUCN's overarching goal was to make the Congress a professional, respectful, inclusive, and harassment-free experience for all." 

👉 In addition to this strategy, IUCN also has an anti-harassment policy in place. In doing so, it follows the advice of the "Guide to a Gender-Sensitive Assembly" produced by International Gender Champions. As the host country of the Congress, the French government has also shared this commitment and has integrated gender equity processes and monitoring into the preparations and implementation of the Congress.

 

When the event perfectly represents the organization and its values: it is also a guarantee of consistency and credibility! 👍

In order to keep its objectives and establish an achievable and concrete action plan, the organization has published a document that presents its gender mainstreaming strategy under 4 parts: purpose, applicability, strategic objectives, and tools (pre-event, during the event, post-event).

IUCN shares a strong message with us and positions itself as a great example of inclusivity in events, accessible to all EventProfs! ✅

4. Enhance and federate your events with AFNOR labels! ❇️

The "Gender Equality Event" label certifies that an event was prepared and held with respect for gender equality. Development of awareness-raising actions, implementation of a listening device, fight against gender stereotypes, creation of bridges with stakeholders... various solutions to fight against gender inequalities are brought thanks to this label. Co-developed with the French government to label the G7 Summit, the label of AFNOR, the French leader in certification, is aimed at all event organizers: festivals, concerts, sports events, or any other type of event.

What are the requirements to obtain the label?

• Carry out an inventory and a risk analysis in terms of equality between women and men
• Formalize the management's commitment to fighting against inequalities, which implies a clear communication to the teams on this commitment and the designation of a person in charge of the matter 
• Implementing concrete actions to make gender equality possible
• Provide the necessary means to obtain the expected results
• Create a listening system and communicate it to teams
• Raise awareness and communicate internally to combat stereotypes
• Provide evidence that equality is taken into account
• Communicate and raise awareness externally on gender equality issues, both in the context of territorial anchoring and in its relations with suppliers and local players
• Implementing an internal evaluation and continuous improvement system
• Apply exemplary measures

The "Gender Equality Event" label enhances the quality and professionalism of your event, strengthens the trust of your partners, institutions, and funders, structures your event to make it more responsible, and also proves your legitimacy to act for the gender equality cause! 👨 👩

It's also a great way to attract new talent to your company, and to differentiate yourself from other event organizers with your dynamic involvement in gender equality. A great way to attract new talent to your company, and to differentiate yourself from other event organizers with your aggressive 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 RSEi label (Societal Responsibility of Inclusive Companies) which attests to your company's level of maturity in terms of CSR-related inclusivity.

2. The alliance of AFNOR's Diversity and Professional Equality labels (these are two separate labels but can be combined into a common core) offers to enhance all your commitments and practical needs in terms of preventing inequalities.

Conclusion

Beyond following the trends of inclusivity, it is equally important to foster the human side of events. Some inspiring international initiatives: two committed British women, Gabrielle Austen Browne and Ashanti Bentil Dhue, have 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.

There are many opportunities to reap the benefits of inclusivity. Thanks to many actors who are trying to change with the times and break the glass ceiling, it is now possible for all event organizers to improve their inclusive approach and offer your attendees solidarity and committed events that are like you! 🌟