Ascent: Inclusivity in Business Events

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.

Tokyo Olympics Chair’s Comments About Women Spark Age-Old Debate

Yoshiro Mori, president of the Tokyo Olympics organizing committee, recently resigned amid controversy over comments he made that women talk too much during meetings. Research proves that he couldn’t have been more wrong about who speaks the most.

BY Jennifer N. Dienst February 9, 2021

Making Virtual and Hybrid Events Look Like TV

Long Beach’s director of creative initiatives, Tra Jones, said the brand-new role is designed to bring live events into the convention center while elevating the experience for those watching online.

BY Casey Gale January 28, 2021

In a Career of Firsts, Yet Another for Events Industry Pioneer Carol Wallace

Carol Wallace, recipient of the inaugural PCMA Groundbreakers Award, talks about her 35-year career that included 24 years as president and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation.

BY Michelle Russell January 17, 2021

How to Be an Antiracist Meeting Planner

Change won’t happen overnight, but there are concrete actions that event planners can take to educate themselves about racial equality and equity. Convening Leaders speaker Torin Perez shares his three-step action plan to help individuals achieve a more grounded perspective on race and society.

BY Kate Mulcrone January 14, 2021

DMOs Embrace Diversity

These meetings organizations have pledged to improve representation in their destinations.

BY Kate Mulcrone December 22, 2020

Is Unconscious Bias More or Less Pronounced During the Pandemic?

Diversity expert Howard J. Ross spoke to Convene about the effect the COVID crisis has had on bias in the workplace and at virtual events.

BY Pat Olsen December 3, 2020

Palatable Progress: The Power of Culinary Travel Experiences

Food and culture tours — both live and virtual — can make complicated and uncomfortable history lessons much easier to digest.

BY Jennifer N. Dienst November 30, 2020

How to — and Why We Should — Encourage More Women to Ask Questions at Events

A recently published study by the American Society of Hematology on who asks questions and when has uncovered a simple tactic to help foster gender equity at scientific conferences.

BY Barbara Palmer November 18, 2020

Why Did Four Times More Women Than Men Leave the Workforce in September?

Of the 1.1 million U.S. workers who dropped out of the labor force last month, 80 percent were women. Here are some recommendations from workplace experts on how to stop the coronavirus crisis from creating a backwards slide in gender diversity.

BY Michelle Russell October 8, 2020

Creativity Is Imperative and Wonder Is Not a Luxury

As the pandemic demands we find new ways of doing things, consultant Natalie Nixon offers a strategic and tactical map to becoming more creative.

BY Barbara Palmer October 1, 2020

Ascent Webinar: How to Enact Change in Your Organization

The need for real diversity and inclusion is clear – but HOW do we make it happen? For some organizations, only small changes are needed to encapsulate the true meaning of diversity and inclusion, but for others, massive steps need to be taken. Reed Exhibitions appointed Ron Walden as their first global executive sponsor for race, and he is with us to discuss the practices Reed has put in place to hold the organization and its decision makers accountable to their plan.

BY Ron Walden September 29, 2020

5 Questions You Need to Answer to Make Your Digital Event Accessible

For those with disabilities, accessibility during a digital event is just as much of a concern as accessibility at an in-person event. Here are considerations every event professional should keep in mind to ensure their digital event is inclusive and accessible.

BY Casey Gale September 23, 2020

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