Ascent: Inclusion & Diversity

Ascent strives to motivate and to educate decision-makers on the business case and best practices for inclusive workplaces and events. Learn more about this initiative.

Who’s Asking Questions and Why?

Bill Reed, chief event strategy officer for the American Society of Hematology, offered insights from his research and experience on the issue of men dominating Q&A conference sessions, after listening to a Convene Podcast episode on that topic.

BY Bill Reed November 27, 2023

Making Your Events Inclusive for Neurodiverse Attendees

The CEO of an organization founded to amplify autistic voices shares how to make events more welcoming to neurodivergent people.

BY Casey Gale November 20, 2023

‘Let’s Have These Conversations’ About Civil Rights

An annual summer event produced by the Big Ten Conference for student athletes brings the United States’ civil rights history to life. 

BY Barbara Palmer November 17, 2023

More CVBs Earning Autism Travel Accreditation

Visit Salt Lake and Destination Toledo are two of the growing number of CVBs that have recently earned autism travel accreditation, after learning about how Mesa, Arizona, is breaking new ground for inclusive travel.

BY Casey Gale October 25, 2023

A Fundraiser With Soul — and New Soles

How Association Forum made its awards gala a less stuffy affair.

BY Michelle Russell October 12, 2023

Nobel Laureate Shows How ‘Greedy Work’ — and the Lack of Workplace Flexibility — Fuels Gender Pay Inequity

Harvard University’s Claudia Goldin, the winner of this year’s Nobel Prize for economics, links the gender pay gap to time pressures on women with children. How does that play out in the business events industry — and what can our industry do to help narrow the pay gap in other sectors?

BY Barbara Palmer October 11, 2023

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ‘Actively Practiced at Every Level’

In an EduCon 2023 session, DEI consultant Zoe Moore shared how event professionals can integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of their organizations’ operations by implementing a supplier diversity program.

BY Casey Gale August 28, 2023

Why Event Organizers Need to Be Aware of Transgender Attendees’ Event Journey

In a PCMA EduCon panel moderated by Glenn Stress, vice president of global B2B events and programs for Marriott International, a gender-diverse panel discussed barriers that members of the LGBTQ+ community face when traveling to events.

BY Casey Gale June 26, 2023

Making Your Meeting More Accessible

Two wheelchair accessibility tours at EduCon gave event organizers a first-hand experience navigating an event on two wheels rather than two feet.

BY Michelle Russell June 26, 2023

Elevating Women in Business Events

A June 26 PCMA EduCon session will explore the challenges unique to women in their careers and how they can chart a path to leadership. Plus, participants will get a sneak peek of proprietary research on this topic.

June 25, 2023

The Long-Awaited Opening of a New Museum Coincides with Juneteenth

Two decades in the making, the International African American Museum and gathering space in Charleston, South Carolina, will trace the untold stories of enslaved Africans brought to the U.S.

BY Jennifer N. Dienst June 19, 2023

Want Better Pay? Take a Hike

A new Stanford study suggests that women can get more out of what they want in negotiations, including salary discussions, if they step away from the negotiating table and go for a walk instead.

BY Michelle Russell June 12, 2023

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