Hospitality organisation, Green & Fortune, is strengthening
its commitments to creating inclusive spaces at its Kings Cross venue, Kings
Place.
The launch of its ‘OUTSTANDING. NEVER STANDING OUT’ commitment
outlines what Green & Fortune is doing to ‘evolve and involve every voice in
the conference conversation’ and provides guidelines to help planners ensure
they have considered a range of inclusive factors from dietary requirements to
religious holidays and braile signage to inclusive language.
John Nuggent, Green & Fortune cheif executive said: "At Green & Fortune we celebrate diversity and encourage delegates, speakers and sponsors to feel fully included in the conversation. At Kings Place, our Kings Cross venue, we’re putting in to practice our learnings and experience to create spaces that can be accessed by everyone.
"We’re re-framing the event industry’s traditional narrative around disabilities and removing any connotation that delegates are othered, outsiders or that they stand out. We are using our learning and experience to educate and advocate; we’re using our experience to gain learnings and to evolve and involve every voice in the conference conversation. Our focus is to provide OUTSTANDING experiences for everyone where every voice counts."
The commitments aim to reframe the event industry’s traditional narrative around
disabilities and remove any connotation that delegates are othered, outsiders
or that they stand out. Focus is placed on both the venue’s commitments to
organisers and delegates and how the venue can help organisers ensure they are
fully inclusive and include every individual in the room.
OUTSTANDING FOR ORGANISERS
- Check interfaith calendars for key religious holidays that may prevent someone from attending.
- Make sure you’ve chosen a range of dietary options including vegetarian, vegan, and
halal options. Think about what drinks you are serving - is alcohol right for all? - Hybrid is here to stay. By providing a virtual conference platform, you ensure that you allow attendees to participate remotely from anywhere in the world. You also open your floor to individual with disabilities who may have mobility or transportation barriers preventing them from participating fully
- Think about your signage especially for those with visual impairments who may require
braille, tactile maps, and tactile diagrams to help access information. Who is in the audience, and do you need to offer sign language interpretation? - Ditch the waffle and walk the talk. Use plain language in presentations and materials
to ensure that everyone can understand the information being presented. Your presenters and conference team should receive disability awareness training to ensure that they are equipped to support attendees on communication strategies, disability etiquette, etc. - Use inclusive language in all event communication, including advertisements, invitations and signage.
- Use diverse images, graphics, and videos in all event materials, including
presentation slides, brochures, and marketing materials.
OUTSTANDING FOR GREEN & FORTUNE
- Gender-neutral restrooms and they are clearly marked and easily accessible.
- Event spaces can be set with accessible seating with considerations
for wheelchair accessible seating and space for service animals.
- Given the prompt, the onsite team will use correct pronouns. The venue has already ensured staff are trained to use them correctly.
- A busy event space doesn’t mean that silence isn’t golden. The venue will provide designated areas for attendees
who may need a quiet space or to pray, meditate, or perform other cultural or religious practices.
- Venues have
ample and adequate accessibility infrastructures such as ramps and elevators to meet the
needs of delegates with disabilities.
- Help in choosing a food and beverage service that’s culturally appropriate and caters
to different dietary requirements. Outsourcing of halal and
kosher providers can be arranged. Low and no alcohol options for drinks are also availble.
- All venues décor is culturally sensitive and avoid any stereotypes that
may offend or exclude certain groups.
