In today's interconnected world, success and growth for any company is heavily reliant on being able to engage with customers from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. When hosting your organisation's conference or event, one incredibly important consideration is making sure your audience is seeing representational diversity. From what we've observed by graphically facilitating many events over the years, businesses can help their conferences to be more inclusive by implementing a few simple tips:
1. Ensure that speakers and panel members come from diverse backgrounds
Deliberately diversifying representation make sure conversations around key topics are being heard from different perspectives. Not only does this enrich discussions for all involved, but creating a truly inclusive space can also bring in new waves of attendees with varied interests and backgrounds who will ultimately help shape the entire event atmosphere.
2. Create an environment where all attendees feel comfortable expressing their opinions, ideas, or concerns without fear of judgement
Particularly in facilitated sessions, it's not always easy to encourage everyone present to feel comfortable enough to express their opinions without feeling intimidated by the larger discussions surrounding them. That's why creating an atmosphere where all attendees can speak up freely should be a key priority for any team looking to promote transparency and inclusion. Graphically facilitating your event can greatly help with this.
3. Use visual communications to represent inclusion and diversity
Whether it be through flyers, signage or live-sketched visual maps (such as the ones we create), visual content can better reflect a commitment to creating safe, welcoming spaces for attendees of all backgrounds - areas in which they can feel secure and enjoy their experience.
This is particularly relevant when engaging with specific groups such as those of the LGBTQIA+ community or marginalized backgrounds - leading businesses to build their brand reputation while aligning inclusion with corporate objectives.
Finally, actively engaging with people of different backgrounds during the event will help ensure everyone feels seen and heard. No matter the size of your organisation or event experienced by its attendees, there are many more steps you can take as an organiser or leader that will foster greater engagement for all involved.
What do you do to ensure diversity and inclusion is a key focus area for you conferences or meetings?
Let us know in the comments, or feel free to contact us.
Comments