As society becomes ever more diverse and inclusive, equity and equality have become increasingly important in the workplace. This is especially true in the events industry, where companies have the responsibility to create safe and inclusive spaces for all attendees, regardless of their background or identity.
So what is power of equity and equality within a business and how can events agencies can promote and prioritise these values?
Defining the Challenge
First, let’s define what we mean by equity and equality. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings. Equality means treating everyone the same, regardless of their differences. Equity, on the other hand, means recognising that everyone has different needs and providing the necessary resources to ensure that everyone can succeed. In other words, equity is about creating a level playing field, while equality is about treating everyone equally.
Equality is giving every student in a class the same textbook. Equity, on the other hand is introducing larger textbooks to visually impaired students or provide them with audio versions.
Acknowledging the Challenge
So why is equity and equality important in the events industry? For starters, events are often large-scale gatherings that bring together people from different backgrounds, cultures, and identities. By prioritising equity and equality, events organisers can create an environment that is safe, welcoming, and accessible to everyone. This not only benefits attendees, but also helps businesses reach a wider audience and improves their reputation.
Promoting Equity and Equality at Events
Here are some ways events agencies can promote equity and equality within their business:
- Diversify your team: Having a diverse team means that you are more likely to understand the needs of different communities and create events that are inclusive for everyone. This also means that you can provide opportunities for individuals from underrepresented groups to work in the events industry.
- Be mindful of accessibility: Accessibility should be a top priority when planning events. This includes ensuring that the venue is accessible to those with disabilities, providing captioning or sign language interpretation for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and offering translations for non-English speakers.
- Use inclusive language: The language you use can have a big impact on how attendees feel at your event. Use gender-neutral language whenever possible and avoid language that is exclusionary or offensive to certain communities.
- Prioritise diversity in your programming: When planning your event set-up a diverse organising committee. Also , make sure to include a diverse range of speakers, performers, and vendors . This not only promotes equity and equality, but also ensures that attendees have a well-rounded and meaningful experience.
- Conduct regular training: It’s important to regularly train your team on issues related to equity and equality. This can include training on topics like unconscious bias, cultural competency, and how to create an inclusive environment.
To find out more about inclusivity and accessibility at events, you can read our articles on:
• Inclusivity and Accessibility at In-Person Events
• Ensuring Accessibility and Inclusivity on Virtual Events
Environment of Equity at Outsourced Events
Outsourced Events is a WEConnect certified women-owned business with a year-round commitment to employee growth. We ensure that we provide opportunities for team members to develop their skills and take on new challenges, while also ensuring equal opportunities for all. With a focus on creating a positive work environment that fosters growth and learning, Outsourced Events is committed to supporting the professional development of its employees.
To find out more about how important Inclusivity and Diversity is at Outsourced Events you can read Farah’s thought leadership article What Diversity and Inclusivity looks like at Outsourced Events.
You can also read about Outsourced Events’ hybrid working model and get top tips on remote/hybrid work with kids in Farah’s article How to Tackle the Challenges of Working From Home Through the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Parent’s Perspective.
To Conclude
Promoting equity and equality is not only the right thing to do, but also makes good business sense. By creating events that are safe and inclusive for all attendees, event organisers can reach a wider audience, deliver a better experience for everyone and improve their reputation. With a little effort and attention, we can all work to create a more equitable and inclusive events industry.
