As part of the UK Events vision to support sustainable growth for the UK Events Industry, it strives to encourage diversity, equity and inclusion.
UK Events accepts that its partners, of which ABPCO is one, have different memberships and face a variety of challenges in implementing interventions. The commitment to sign up to the following aim, values and principles, will result in different actions over various timescales. UK Events will encourage and facilitate collaborative actions. ABPCO have signed up to this.
Statement
UK Events commits to advancing access, diversity, equity, inclusion and wellbeing of all people, as priorities in supporting sustainable growth across the UK Events Industry.
DEI Vision: an events industry where every person feels welcomed, empowered, advanced and valued.
DEI Aim: to drive for change within the UK events industry to ensure that human differences are valued and recognised.
Our Values: Accessibility, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, Wellbeing
Upholding the Principles: Accountability, Allyship, Authenticity, Empowerment, Integrity, Opportunity, Responsibility
Action: The vision and aim will be achieved through concerted effort from partners and all involved in shaping the events industry in the UK. We can only advance if people are enabled to thrive.
Listen to a great 'in-conversation' podcast with Dr Sandro Carnicelli and Dr Caroline Jackson exploring EDI in a fuller context.
VisitBritain expands its ‘Future of Events’ educational series with launch of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Pathway, in partnership with New Intent
As part of its education and partnership role with British nations and cities, VisitBritain has partnered with pro-social organisation New Intent to create and launch its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Pathway - supporting the understanding and deeper implementation of DEI across workplaces and in event design.
This online guide gives wider definitions and best practices for British partners in understanding DEI. It explores the relevance within event transformation and offers practical advice to support organisations and event teams to accelerate positive change.
Neuroinclusivity in events - a check-list
Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), Welcome Brain Consulting and the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers have launched its groundbreaking Neurodiversity in Events Toolkit, a pioneering initiative designed to reshape the events industry by embedding genuine inclusivity into its core. Developed in collaboration, this initiative sets out a bold new standard for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in professional events and workplaces.
With an estimated 1 in 5 people identifying as neurodivergent, including those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, the need for accessible and welcoming professional spaces has never been more urgent. The events industry, valued at over £61 billion in the UK alone, has a unique opportunity to lead the way in neuroinclusion, ensuring that every participant, speaker, and delegate can fully engage and contribute their expertise.
How to Get Involved:
Visit the Neurodiversity in Events microsite here, https://welcomebrain.com/neurodiversity-in-events-checklist to explore the full toolkit.
Together, we are redefining what it means to create events that are truly for everyone.
Oddity Events and Marketing
A guide to inclusive event design for people with disabilities https://oddityevents.com/inclusive-event-design
Creating Inclusive Events and Workplaces
Diversity Alliance is a leading equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility practice specifically for the events and hospitality industries.
With a wealth of experience spanning various sectors and themes, our team excels in navigating the complexities across various DEI themes, including; understanding and combating bias, fostering inclusive cultures, promoting accessibility, raising neurodiversity awareness, and cultivating inclusive leadership through delivery of company audits, consultancy, education and training. The team has worked with multiple event agencies, venues and suppliers as well as organisations ranging from the United Nations, the Queens’ Platinum Jubilee Pageant, the Metropolitan Police and Disney. Diversity Alliances director, Gabby, is an events industry DEI trailblazer with specific DE&I knowledge in the sector as a former events professional.
Gabby is also co-founder of the Diverse Speaker Bureau, the REACH events management scholarship and industry safeguarding initiative- Safe Space.
EventWell are a renowned and award winning community and charitable social enterprise committed to event welfare, neuroinclusion, and mental wellbeing. We are the trusted resource for creating event spaces that prioritise these important aspects and provide the necessary supervision.
We fully comprehend the unique challenges faced by both event attendees and organisers. We also recognise the specific needs of individuals with neurodivergence and mental health concerns. Our mission is to offer supervised quiet rooms, hubs, and a safe haven at events to ensure the wellbeing of event attendees, visitors, teams, and stakeholders.
In addition to our event services, we provide grants and essential support to event professionals and creatives who are facing hardship, crisis, or are impacted by mental illness. We believe in offering relief and assistance to those in need within our industry.
Furthermore, we take the lead in organising the event industry’s annual Event Wellbeing Day and Week campaigns. These initiatives aim to educate, raise awareness, and foster a better understanding of the importance of mental wellbeing in the event industry.
At EventWell®, we are dedicated to giving a voice to those who feel unheard. We understand that behind every event professional and attendee is a human being with their own unique experiences. We are here to support them whenever they need us, in whatever way they need us, for as long as they need us.
Our award winning flexible and pop-up quiet rooms and sensory spaces, focused on event welfare, neuroinclusion, and mental wellbeing, have been meticulously designed to offer a serene mental escape within a safe, supervised, and accessible space. These spaces are specifically tailored to support and enhance the overall event experience for individuals.
Conferences and events are vibrant and dynamic environments, brimming with opportunities for learning and exploration. However, they can also be overwhelming, exhausting, and triggering for many individuals due to the constant stimulation and outward-facing nature. Our quiet rooms provide a sanctuary where attendees can retreat when they feel overwhelmed or overloaded by the sensory input of their surroundings. These spaces offer individuals the time and space they need to calm their sensory and nervous systems, allowing them to decompress and find respite.
The role of event welfare is to provide emotional and practical support to all event attendees, including the event team. Even the most experienced event organiser cannot predict when emotional or practical support will be required during an event. Our EventWell® Hosts are highly skilled in creating a supportive environment and offering essential assistance whenever needed.
An EventWell® space, with a trained and experienced host as its cornerstone, offers a comprehensive solution. It provides all attendees with a supervised and secure space where they can:
– Catch up on emails, read, take a nap, meditate, listen to music, practice deep breathing, or simply rest and take a much-needed 10-minute break.
– Reduce stimulation and triggers, effectively manage sensory overload, and find a sense of calm.
– Engage in confidential and discreet conversations with someone who can provide a safe space to discuss any emotions, experiences, or observations they may have encountered.
By incorporating an EventWell® quiet room and sensory space into your event, you are prioritising mental wellbeing and neuroinclusion for all participants. Our dedicated spaces and trained team ensure that everyone feels supported, valued, and able to fully engage in the event experience.
Contact Details: 0800 470 0958 bookings@eventwell.org https://eventwell.org