“Five years from now: We’ve made significant progress toward a more inclusive meeting industry. What does that look like?”

Jenny Ng, CMP
Event Planning Senior Manager, National Co+op Grocers
MPI Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
MPI Minnesota Chapter Director of Education

My hope is that the meeting industry will be a beacon of inclusivity and attendees will feel heard, welcomed and celebrated. There is diversity not only in speakers and leadership, but also in event experiences.

Attendees are able to relish in meals together because dietary needs are not just accommodated but embraced in a well-rounded menu that includes having all ingredients labeled and includes different cultural cuisines.

Neurodiversity design is in play as attendees are encouraged to move around and can prioritize self-care that resonates with them. There are quiet sensory spaces available for those that need to step away and recharge in a low-stimulation environment.

Evening events are not the traditional bar but include creative non-alcoholic offerings and a variety of engagement and networking options catered to both extroverts and introverts.

Integration of universal design to ensure that communications, spaces and experiences are accessible to all. All venues have railings/ramps on all stages, all-gender restrooms and accessible seating options.

Paola Bowman, CMP, CMM
Director of Client Services & Events, Arlington CVB
MPI Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter

In my vision, having a more inclusive meeting and event industry five years from now would mean having a strong commitment to diversity and embracing its benefits, leveraging technology and industry trends to create spaces where everyone feels welcome and has a sense of belonging and breaking down barriers and combating traditional biases. A more inclusive industry looks like a place where everyone has a sense of community, self-pride and purpose—and this ecosystem creates global collaboration in an array of industries.

Gary Murakami, GTP, GLP, CMP, CMM, DES
Vice President of Sales & Industry Relations, Teneo Hospitality Group
MPI Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
MPI Global Board of Trustees

My hope and future vision of a more inclusive meeting and event industry involves a landscape that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as core foundational principles. Events will be designed and curated to be accessible to a wider range of participants inherently embracing varied perspectives and backgrounds. Inclusive practices and principles will consistently extend to speaker lineups, event content and venue selection to ensure overall representation and to address the diverse needs of attendees. Our industry will be characterized and recognized by a commitment to fostering a sense of belonging for all, wherein we create intentional, authentic and organic environments where all individuals feel valued, heard and empowered.

Zoe Moore
Strategic EDI Consultant, Moore Consulting Agency
MPI Georgia Chapter

When equity, diversity and inclusion is operationalized across the industry then we can say that there has been significant progress. Currently, what we’re witnessing is inclusion receiving a significant amount of attention, some performative and some sustainable. Speaker lineups, session content, presentation methods, supply chains, boardroom leadership, event team demographics, marketing images, food choices and venue types are being examined for their accessibility, innovation and equitable practices. Event teams and their clients are asking each other more questions about what it means to design inclusive experiences. RFP questions are reflecting and requiring responses that not only express a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion but statements that share examples of strategic actions, equitable workplaces and leadership buy-in. When EDI/DEI is operationalized, it will be systematically recognized as how business is done and not just a nice to have.

Dzidra Junior
President, Renditions Consulting LLC
MPI International Board of Directors Liaison for the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee

Five years from now, significant progress toward a more inclusive meeting industry would be characterized by its commitment to measured outcomes that show year over year growth in diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels.

Embrace belonging to fulfill the fundamental human needs of well-being, positive relationships and contributing to individual and collective success of our industry.

Knowing without question that embracing inclusivity is a business imperative.