We are entering a new era of accessible and inclusive meetings, according to new research from Lime Venue Portfolio.
Taking insight from more than six
months of research, including focus groups and data from more than 60 sources, the Meeting of the Future campaign shows that meetings and events are looking to knock down ‘barriers to
entry’ and create more inclusive spaces for attendees not historically used to attending
events.
The research has been undertaken in response
to event professionals who are increasingly looking to understand what is
coming next for meetings and events, not 20 years in the future but, more immediately,
in the next three to five years.
The findings also show more emphasis is being
put on sensory accessibility, and that this will move into the presentation
rooms, and not just the entrance to the event, as traditional ‘accessibility’
will move towards becoming a hygiene factor rather than a USP. The Meeting of
the Future also shows that breakout areas and syndicate rooms will cater for a
‘new’ delegate, from ‘Quiet’ rooms for neurodiverse attendees to exercise rooms
for those looking to fit in workouts.
The research also shows the
inclusion of ‘wework’ style workspaces for companies looking to recreate the
office environment during the event, or for individuals looking to connect with
their day-to-day responsibilities. It underlines that there will be an increasing
move by many organisers to recreate networking and ‘watercooler’ moments within
the traditional meeting environment.
Onsite streaming was also signalled as
another area of evolution, not just broadcasting to the ‘out-of-room’ audience.
Again, this touches on the need to deliver content to guests who may not like
large, crowded rooms, and instead look to take in content from central screens,
placed in less intimidating communal areas at the venue, where they can watch in
privacy.
The Meeting of the Future campaign is a cross
industry and collaborative initiative that has already included focus groups at industry trade shows, insight sessions at the ABPCO Festival of Learning, and
collaborations with Lime Venue Portfolio’s clients, customers, and venues.
The results have been collated into an interactive design experience that walks viewers through
the Meeting of the Future, from pre-event communication, to the onsite experience,
and post event measurement.
“We’re once again happy to adopt our role as
the self-appointed cheerleaders for better meetings. But also, to act as the go
to brand for new thinking, challenging opinion, and inspiring interesting ideas
about how these meetings could look,” said Jo Austin, sales director, Lime
Venue Portfolio. “The findings from the Meeting of the Future, while not being
rocket science, point towards a really responsible industry that is taking
subjects such as sustainability, inclusion, diversity and accessibility
seriously. If only half of the potential we’ve seen comes true, we’ll be
looking at some incredible events to come.”
The Meeting of the Future campaign will continue following its launch with more
insight already being considered. A key aspect of the initiative is that it
continues to develop based on the feedback it gets. More insight will be shared
on the Lime Venue Portfolio website later this year.
To visit the live motion experience, visit: www.limevenueportfolio.com/content-hub/a-new-era-of-accessible-and-inclusive-meetings/
