A tech entrepreneur has called for change after being refused entry to London Tech Week – because she had her baby daughter with her.
In a widely shared Linkedin post, Schonle wrote: “I hate that I’m having to write this but today I was refused entry at London Tech Week… because I had my baby with me.”
She told TheBusinessDesk.com that she was asked if she was a VIP as she went to the entrance of the event, being held at Olympia, with her daughter in her pram.
She said: “I was then told I wasn’t allowed in with a baby. I went to get my badge, but was then taken over to the organisers from Informa, who told me they weren’t insured. But they asked again if I was a VIP or speaker, and later another lady came over and twisted my badge around to see, clearly checking to see if I was a VIP.”
Writing on Linkedin, Schonle added: “In today’s age shouldn’t we be more inclusive? This moment was more than inconvenient. It was a clear reminder that as a tech industry, we still have work to do when it comes to inclusion beyond buzzwords.
“Parents are part of this ecosystem. Caregivers are innovators, founders, investors, and leaders. If major events like London Tech Week can’t make space for, what message does that send about who belongs in tech? I don’t necessarily mean make it kid inclusive event in general, or do I? Doesn’t our future belong to the kids?
“Shouldn’t these large events be doing more?”
London Tech Week is taking place at Olympia London and was addressed by prime minister Sir Keir Starmer on Monday 9 June.
The event, owned by Informa, said in a statement: “We’re aware that one of our attendees wasn’t allowed to enter with their child yesterday. As a business event, the environment hasn’t been designed to incorporate the particular needs, facilities and safeguards that under-16s require.
“We want everyone in the tech community to feel welcome at London Tech Week. We’ve reached out directly to the person involved to discuss what happened and use this experience to inform how we approach this at LTW in the future.”
Humiliating
Writing in response to the Schonle’s post, Anna-Marie Trzebinski, founder of AMT Events, said: “If it is just a no parent no baby policy, then that astounds me. Working mothers need to be supported and staying in touch with our working industries should be applauded and rewarded.”
Janthea Brigden, founder of event childcare specialists Nipperbout, added: “It feels so humiliating doesn’t it Davina Schonle? Like you are a ‘non person’!! This is why I started my business! I was an actress with a 1 &3 yr old and had no one I could leave them with for short periods for auditions and I couldn’t afford care when out of work. I met an event organiser in the park and she gave me the idea that launched Nipperbout.”
Lou Kiwanuka, founder of The Ops Nest, said she was not surprised by the incident.
“As working parents in events, we’ve always had to juggle and often the people budgeting these experiences haven’t had caring responsibilities themselves, so it just doesn’t get past the cost v value stage,” she said. “This conversation really highlights something we’ve been talking about in The Ops Nest for a while now: our audiences are shifting. Childcare is one piece, but there are so many other reasons we need to rethink how we design events. A few years ago we brought in Janthea from Nipperbout to create our Children at Events Masterclass and this summer we’re focusing heavily on embedding inclusive design. It’s reassuring to know we’re not imagining the shift - just hoping the industry starts doing it, not just talking about it. Otherwise we will lose our audience very quickly.”
James and Holly were joined on The Meeting Room by the founder and CEO of Nipperbout, Janthea Brigden, to discuss the idea of bringing minors to meetings, the benefits to children and adults and the meticulous organisation that goes into ensuring each child has a great conference experience.
The Meeting Room Ep 7: Should you take children to a conference? | Meetings & Incentive Travel
