A new guide has been created for event organisers with the aim of making networking events more accessible and inclusive for
neurodivergent attendees.
The Neuroinclusive Networking Guide – a collaboration between
conference and events bureau Meet Cambridge and the Association of British Professional
Conference Organisers (ABPCO) - offers evidence-based, practical
recommendations to make networking more neuroinclusive.
Research highlights that traditional networking formats – often
noisy, unstructured and socially demanding - can be challenging for neurodiverse
participants with 94% reporting they feel anxious during networking activities.
The new guide, developed through the ABPCO Neurodiversity in
Events taskforce, sets out a self-certifying framework across three levels of
implementation – Silver, Gold and Platinum - to help organisers make
improvements.
Recommendations range from simple, no-cost adjustments that
can be implemented immediately through to more advanced approaches developed in
collaboration with neurodivergent communities.
Anita Macdonald, marketing manager at Meet Cambridge and an active
member of the ABPCO working group behind the guide, said: “Networking remains
one of the most important reasons people attend events, but our research shows
the traditional model isn't working for many attendees. More structure, clearer
expectations and greater choice don't just support neurodivergent people, they
improve the experience for everyone.”
The Neuroinclusive Networking Guide forms part of ABPCO
taskforce’s wider work to improve accessibility and attendee experience across
the events sector, building on the earlier Neurodiversity
in Events Toolkit.
Jessica Letters, co-chair of ABPCO, said: “Our ABPCO
Neurodiversity in Events taskforce is focused on ensuring the best possible
event experience for everyone, and rethinking how we approach networking is a
crucial next step in making sure all attendees can fully enjoy and benefit from
events.”
The taskforce will be discussing the Neuroinclusive Networking Guide at The
Meetings Show on Thursday 25 June at 10:40am (Stage Two). Meet Cambridge will also be available to discuss on stand G35.
