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<p>Marriott International, Inc., a hotel industry leader for more than 95 years, today announced its commitment to incorporate neuroinclusive practices at Marriott-hosted customer events of 250 people or more globally. This commitment is a result of joining forces with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theneuproject.com/">The Neu Project</a><em>, </em>an initiative from Google’s Experience Institute (Xi) that aims to share resources designed to better accommodate and create a more inclusive experience during meetings and events for neurodivergent attendees. These practices are initially being previewed at Marriott’s Corporate Partnership Customer Conference, THE EXCHANGE, currently taking place November 28 through December 1, 2023 at the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ctdca-jw-marriott-desert-springs-resort-and-spa/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0">JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort &amp; Spa</a> in Palm Springs, CA.</p>
<p>Approximately 15-20 percent of the world’s population has neuro differences, including ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism, dyslexia, epilepsy, and Tourette Syndrome.* In 2022, the Google Experience Institute launched The Neu Project in order to demystify and educate event professionals on the design of more neuroinclusive experiences through a helpful guide and checklist.</p>

“Marriott is dedicated to making meetings and events more accessible for everyone.”

<p>Starting today, the following neuroinclusive practices will be incorporated at Marriott-hosted customer meetings and events of 250 people or more:</p>
<ul>
  <li><strong>Quiet Room: </strong>A<strong> </strong>dedicated room will be available during Marriott customer events for recovery from sensory overwhelm, restoration and regulation. Designed to foster the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of attendees, the room will serve as a calming retreat where guests can break from the event to manage fatigue, overload and/or sensory needs.</li>
  <li><strong>Tools and Resources:</strong> At registration, event attendees will have the opportunity to request various tools to better accommodate their needs, including sensory &amp; fidget toys, noise canceling ear plugs, sleep masks, sunglasses, printed agendas and venue maps, and details about loud music, flashing lights or surprise moments taking place during the event.</li>
  <li><strong>Closed Captioning for Main Stage Presentations</strong>: Real-time subtitles and captions will be available on-screen during main stage event and conference presentations.</li>
</ul>

<p>“Grounded in our commitments to innovation and inclusion, Marriott is dedicated to making meetings and events more accessible for everyone,” said Drew Pinto, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue &amp; Technology Officer, Marriott International. “The Neu Project is a driving force in this space, and we look forward to working jointly with them, along with the neurodivergent community, to deepen our understanding of neurodivergent needs in order to truly welcome all.”</p>
<p>Over the past two years, Marriott has collaborated closely with The Neu Project to learn directly from the neurodivergent community. The company has already begun implementing various neuroinclusive practices at its recent customer events, including a quiet room and tools and resources at both THE EXCHANGE: Association Masters in Phoenix, AZ and THE EXCHANGE: Europe in Madrid, Spain. Last month, Marriott and The Neu Project also implemented a quiet room for attendees at IMEX America, an annual industry event in Las Vegas, NV where members of the global business events community come together.</p>

"Marriott understands that creating environments where differing perspectives and experiences can come together boosts creativity, and we have witnessed their passion for increasing inclusivity at meetings and events."

<p>Looking ahead to 2024, Marriott will further its neuroinclusion efforts by conducting active listening sessions with the community through conversations with The Neu Project and people who are neurodivergent, which will help shape future content.</p>
<p>“The Neu Project was born out of a desire to rethink event experiences post-pandemic, and has since grown into a major initiative that is driving change at events across industries,“ said Megan Henshall, Global Events Strategy at Google. “Marriott understands that creating environments where differing perspectives and experiences can come together boosts creativity, and we have witnessed their passion for increasing inclusivity at meetings and events. We’re excited to continue working with them as we strive to create more inclusive experiences with and for the neurodivergent community.”</p>
<p>Marriott’s implementation of neuroinclusive practices for meetings at select hotels builds on its fundamental core values of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. Through third-party partners like Disability:IN, the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide, Marriott offers a variety of resources to improve accessibility at meetings, events and conferences.</p>
<p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://dceg.cancer.gov/about/diversity-inclusion/inclusivity-minute/2022/neurodiversity">National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Epidemiology &amp; Genetics</a></p>

Global

Leveraging work from Google Xi’s The Neu Project, Marriott strives to create a more inclusive experience for meeting attendees.

Marriott International Becomes First Hospitality Company to Introduce Neuroinclusive Practices at Its Largest Customer Events

Celebrate

<p>Meeting planners are no strangers to specialty menus and dietary requests. Whether it’s medical concerns such as allergies and celiac disease, religious restrictions such as halal and kosher diets, or just personal preference, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.statista.com/chart/24791/share-of-americans-who-who-follow-nutritional-rules/">a significant portion of people follow a restricted diet of some sort</a>.</p>
<p>While it might not be possible to cater to every food restriction, a mindset shift might help you see menu planning in a different light: Think of menus not in terms of restriction, but in terms of inclusivity.</p>
<p>Whether someone’s dietary restriction is medical, cultural, or personal in nature, your job as a meeting planner is to deliver an event your attendees will remember—something that’s impossible if they’re not properly nourished. Read on to learn the basics of creating a menu that will make all your attendees feel included.</p>

<h3><strong>Talk It Out: Pre-Event Communication</strong></h3>
<ul>
  <li><strong>Ask your attendees what they need.</strong> If you’re not already asking attendees about dietary restrictions during registration, start now. It may be tempting to use an open text box to solicit preferences, but doing so can lead to misinterpretation. Instead, use a broad swath of opt-in fields (shellfish allergy, vegan, etc.) for attendees to clearly identify needs and use the text box to capture outliers.</li>
  <li><strong>Give your hotel partner and catering team a heads-up. </strong>The more notice you can give them, the better, but codifying lead time into your contract can help avoid confusion down the line.</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Get Thoughtful: Menu Planning</strong></h3>
<ul>
  <li><strong>Make inclusive foods the base. </strong>No one dish addresses all dietary needs and preferences, but beginning with an inclusivity mindset will lead you to meals that require fewer workarounds to satisfy the most people. For example, making all entrees plant-based—with an option for meat-focused add-ons—flips the traditional script of beginning with meat and putting vegetarians into the “other” category.</li>
  <li><strong>Evaluate the most common allergens.</strong> While it doesn’t matter why your attendees can’t eat a certain food, allergies can be deadly. There may not be a need to eliminate the most common food allergies—peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, eggs, milk, sesame, soybeans, and wheat—from your menu, but making them add-ons instead of the base of what you have available is considered inclusive.</li>
  <li><strong>Look for crossover opportunities. </strong>Low-carb and gluten-free diets have a natural overlap, as do vegetarian and kosher menus (with a little planning). You don’t have to have a separate menu for every type of diet out there, just options suitable for all.</li>
  <li><strong>Let delegates DIY.</strong> Buffets and semi-buffets allow guests to assemble particularly tricky elements of a meal. For example, a sandwich bar with different types of bread (including gluten-free) and fillings (with ample vegetarian and kosher options) or the classic salad bar.</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>The Big Day: On-Site Considerations</strong></h3>
<ul>
  <li><strong>Label everything.</strong> Empowering attendees to select the foods that are right for them removes a bit of the burden from you and grants them full transparency. Labels should include all ingredients, including the type of oil used in frying and sautéeing. Avoid making exaggerated claims, particularly around allergies and medically related claims. For example, don’t label a dish “gluten-free”—even if the dish doesn’t have any gluten-containing products—unless the kitchen that prepared it is versed in cross-contamination.</li>
  <li><strong>Group sensitive foods together.</strong> At a salad bar, this might mean grouping nuts, seeds, and croutons at the end of the line, with plain vegetables up front. This also lessens the chance that people will use inappropriate utensils to transfer food to their serving plates.</li>
</ul>

How to Give Delegates a Taste of Belonging, No Matter Their Dietary Needs.

Make Your Menu More Inclusive

Educate

<p>When meeting planners think about accessibility, their minds might reach for visible cues of venue accessibility: elevators, accessible bathrooms, Braille signage.</p>
<p>You’re right to invest time in researching your venue’s accessibility—but the fact is, venues have their own experts who are in charge of making sure they’re addressing people’s needs. But unless you make your meeting’s programming accessible, some of your attendees might be left out.</p>
<p>Here’s a starter guide on how to incorporate accessibility planning into your programming before, during, and after your event.</p>

<h3>What to Consider Before the Event</h3>
<ul>
  <li><strong>Review all materials for plain language.</strong> Clear, concise language helps everyone, not just attendees with language processing difficulties. Icons, illustrations, and simple language will help you distill your messaging and give attendees what they need without confusion. (You can <a target="_blank" href="https://www.plainlanguage.gov/guidelines/">start here with the U.S. government’s guidelines on plain language communication</a>.)</li>
  <li><strong>Determine what your attendees and presenters need.</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.respectability.org/inclusive-philanthropy/executive-summary/">Only 30% of nonprofit executives say that their event registration forms ask about accessibility and accommodation needs.</a> You can help up that percentage with pre-event surveys on event registration forms. Offering specific options can help signal that your organization is investing in accessibility, but if you don’t yet have a starting point, try issuing a blanket accommodations statement in your pre-event materials asking people to notify you about alternative formats, interpreters, and other reasonable accommodations by a certain date. Make sure to give a specific way to make those requests (e.g., email address or phone number).</li>
  <li><strong>Figure out what equipment you’ll need.</strong> Your audiovisual and tech teams can help advise you on the types of equipment you will need to accommodate your attendees. For event-specific technology such as floor plans and networking tools, evaluate potential vendors with accessibility in mind.</li>
  <li><strong>Use your hybrid tools for in-person meetings.</strong> Hybrid and remote meetings gave planners a wealth of tools that can come to life as accessibility helpers. One example: live captioning, now easily available with automated tools. A simple A/V setup can enable live captioning to help people who are hard of hearing follow the day’s events.</li>
  <li><strong>Establish your personnel needs.</strong> Are you hiring sign language interpreters? Give them access to relevant programming materials beforehand, particularly if the material is technical. Is there a sensory room or another space dedicated to making meetings accessible to all? You’ll need someone to make sure the space is maintained. Consider designating one staff member as the accessibility chief who can manage and direct accommodations.</li>
  <li><strong>Include your presenters. </strong>This means two things: Consider your speakers’ accommodation needs, and make sure they are aware of any accommodations you’re expecting them to make in their presentations.</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>What to Consider During the Event</strong></h3>
<ul>
  <li><strong>Account for real-time feedback. </strong>You can’t please everyone, and sometimes when attendees’ needs conflict, you might not even be able to fully accommodate everyone. But you can listen to everyone, keeping in mind that they are the experts on their own experience.</li>
  <li><strong>Continue your plain language quest.</strong> Signage and materials should be easily accessible to all attendees. That goes for “live” communication, too: Make sure there’s a “translator” in sessions who can repeat and synthesize audience questions in Q&amp;A formats in a way that all attendees can easily understand.</li>
  <li><strong>Gather your supplies. </strong>Tech and signage are already a part of your setup, but consider adding an “accommodations” section to your checklist. For example, having noise-canceling headphones available for attendees to borrow can help prevent sensory overload, as can having rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs to help guests remove perfume they may not have recognized is overpowering for some.</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>What to Consider After the Event</strong></h3>
<ul>
  <li><strong>Make all materials available.</strong> It’s easier than ever to make recordings and digital materials available after the fact. And just as with most forms of accommodation, making these materials available helps everyone. If an attendee needs to listen to a session again, it doesn’t matter whether it’s because she’s hard of hearing or conducting research.</li>
  <li><strong>Ask what you can do better.</strong> Include questions about accessibility in your post-event surveys. Remember that ease of comprehension can be even more important in surveys; the easier you make it for attendees to fill out the survey, the more likely you are to get the information you need.</li>
</ul>

Accessibility Doesn’t Stop at the Front Door. Here’s How to Make Meeting Content Accessible.

Is Your Programming as Accessible as Your Venue?

Network

“You’ve been working with the same people for 15 years, so that might be all you know, but don’t be scared to take that leap.”

<p>With 87% of meeting planners saying that their organization actively strives to make their events more diverse, equitable, and inclusive, planners need all hands on deck. That includes vendors and suppliers, who can bring diverse perspectives and offerings to your events.</p>
<p>But simply curating a list of vendors who fit a universal definition of “diverse” won’t accomplish your DEI goals. You need to find representative vendors, nurture relationships with them, and find ways to partner with them. In doing so, you’ll elevate the community, your events, and your operations.</p>
<p>“It’s important for agencies to understand that bias really does hurt their bottom line,” says Chivonne Hyppolite, founder and CEO of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.abstractelementsevents.com/">Abstract Elements</a>, an Atlanta-based event planning and production agency. Plus, at a time when a tight events market is leading to a shortage of meeting vendors, it’s the perfect time to expand your roster in general—and a cue to do so with an eye toward DEI. Here are nine ways you can develop stronger partnerships with diverse vendors, expanding possibilities for everyone.</p>

<h3>1) Turn to the experts.</h3>
<p>You can’t build relationships with vendors you don’t know exist. To find diverse vendors and suppliers, you can turn to the resources you already know, but with an eye toward diversity.</p>
<p>Meeting Professionals International, local chambers of commerce, state supplier diversity programs, local opportunity programs: There’s no shortage of outlets with the information you’re looking for. In addition to the local chamber of commerce, many regions have culturally specific commerce councils, such as state-affiliated Hispanic chambers of commerce and American Indian chambers of commerce.</p>
<p>“There’s always a woman-owned business,” Hyppolite says. “There’s always a business owned by a person of color or a veteran. There’s always a business that has people who look like me. Being purposeful in seeking them out is key.”</p>
<p>For a purpose-built resource hub, turn to <a target="_blank" href="https://ourbloc.com/">OurBLOC</a>, a platform by and for Black and minority-owned event vendors.</p>
<h3>2) Ask the right questions.</h3>
<p>As with any vendor, when you’re seeking out diverse vendors, you want to ask about their skills, strengths, and operations. But finding diverse vendors brings another set of questions.</p>
<p>Hyppolite suggests getting specific. Asking about how many women or people of color are on staff is a place to start—but not an end point. “How many women do you actually see on-site?” she recommends asking. “How many people of color do you have, and not just in your warehouse? How many of them are actually boots on the ground, producing and executing?”</p>
<p>Having a diverse team matters. Values do too. Hyppolite asks potential suppliers about their mission statement and values before committing. “Integrity is big for me,” she says. “And I really want to work with people who stand for integrity too.”</p>
<h3>3) Show up for your vendors.</h3>
<p>Building a diverse network of vendors isn’t just about hiring them. It’s about mutual service: discovering what they can do for your business, and what you can do for theirs.</p>
<p>“I will not do business with a firm whose work I have not seen,” Hyppolite says. “But to nourish those relationships, you’ve got to get to know them—their brand, their mission, their values, how they execute. You build those relationships by showing up for them. You do that by being present at their events. By being of service to them.”</p>
<p>Asking vendors whose work you don’t yet know what kind of events they’re best suited for can help you play matchmaker. “Don’t just send business their way,” Hyppolite advises. “Actually ask them what type of events they’re looking to do this year. Ask them how your services can be of value to their company.”</p>
<p>She cites an example of an audiovisual company she was excited to work with but hadn’t yet seen in action. She approached the company with a roster of events she was developing and told them, “I want to bring you in on the right project, and I want to use you on more than just a one-off basis. Are you willing?” From there, she and the company could figure out the right event to use as an initial partnership. The key was that she showed up for an emerging company by giving them options.</p>
<h3>4) Shadow them before committing.</h3>
<p>“I can’t think of any organization that wouldn’t be willing to allow somebody who’s interested in working with them to come and see how they do things on-site,” Hyppolite says. “You’re not their competitor; you’re their potential client.”</p>
<p>When you’re on-site with a potential vendor or supplier, observe how team members are communicating with one another and how they’re conducting client interactions. If you hire them, they’ll be reflecting your organization, so you’re looking for expertise and professionalism—while remembering that “professionalism” means different things to different stakeholders.</p>
<h3>5) Have them shadow you.</h3>
<p>If you haven’t had an opportunity to observe a team but are eager to try them out, see if you can bring in one team member as a part of your entourage for an upcoming event.</p>
<p>“People hire contractors all the time, and this is essentially that,” Hyppolite says. “It doesn’t have to be the whole team.” Even if a team member isn’t involved in strategy, bringing them in day-of allows you to see how that person is accustomed to communicating and responding to real-time situations.</p>
<p>It’s a lower-stakes trial that can help build mutual trust so that when it comes time for you to hire anew, you’ll have an idea of what you’re working with. “You’re not taking as much of a risk,” Hyppolite says.</p>
<h3>6) Design a trial.</h3>
<p>If you have an internal event or a smaller event on your docket, treat it as a trial opportunity for a new vendor. “You can let them know, ‘Hey, we’re doing this specific event on a trial basis, but I can get you in as a verified vendor, and I’d love for you to handle this so we can see how we work together.’”</p>
<p>This also gives them the opportunity to see how your team executes events, and to determine whether they’re comfortable with your working style.</p>
<h3>7) Follow up.</h3>
<p>Involving vendors in your own event postmortems benefits both of you. If the event was a raging success, celebrate together to build community and shine a light on team members who went above and beyond. And if, as with most events, there was also room for improvement? Sharing feedback helps vendors see where they can grow.</p>
<h3>8) Pay your vendors fairly.</h3>
<p>“Do not lowball them,” Hyppolite says. Especially when working with emerging vendors, you might be tempted to use it as an opportunity to get talent for a below-market price. Avoid that temptation. “Don’t try to squeeze them for every nickel and dime. They’re trying to make it as well.”</p>
<p>Pay transparency can go a long way toward ensuring equity. Review your past contracts to make sure you’re entering into your contract fairly, and be clear with vendors upfront about what you can pay.</p>
<h3>9) Let them wow you.</h3>
<p>It’s standard to ask for references, but you can go a step beyond. “It’s not just, ‘Oh, here’s a person I worked with,’” Hyppolite says. “Have them show you what they’ve done before. A lot of agencies will see that as an opportunity to show you what they’ve done before and what they’re capable of.”</p>
<p>Building a diverse vendor network may mean stepping out of the formula you’ve gotten used to—and that’s part of the joy of bringing diversity goals to life.</p>
<p>“There’s magic in collaboration,” Hyppolite says. “You’ve been working with the same people for 15 years, so that might be all you know, but don’t be scared to take that leap.”</p>

Find Magic in Collaboration—Outside of Your Roster.

Nine Ways to Build Partnerships With Diverse Vendors

<p>Meeting planners since the dawn of time have had their eye on attracting the next generation of eventgoers: the people who, if planners can catch their attention now, will form their clients’ base now and in the future.</p>
<p>Generation Z is no exception. But what might make Gen Z a little different as far as today’s meeting planners go is their unique spot in the landscape of eventgoers.</p>
<p>They’re digital natives who launched their careers during a time of global upheaval. But those same traits—taking technology as a given, a sensitivity to the world around them—are shared by every single person at your events, to a degree. In other words, if you cater to Gen Z, you’re actually catering to all of your attendees.</p>
<p>Consider it a variant of the <a target="_blank" href="https://ssir.org/articles/entry/the_curb_cut_effect">“curb cut effect,”</a> or the idea that &nbsp;supporting one group supports everyone. When disability activists successfully advocated for wheelchair-accessible curb cuts (small ramps) throughout United States built environments, they learned that they had achieved a victory that went beyond their specific needs. Curb cuts allowed wheelchairs access to the streets—along with parents pushing strollers, travelers hauling wheeled luggage, workers pushing heavy carts, and skateboarders making use of the urban landscape. In fact, one study showed that 9 out of 10 “unencumbered pedestrians” use curb cuts.</p>
<p>A win for one specific demographic became a win for the community at large. In the same way, taking stock of the needs of Gen Z can help you create events that are more meaningful for everyone. Here are four ways to do just that.</p>

<h2><strong>Make Sure Your Meeting Has Community Impact</strong></h2>
<p>Generation Z came of age during the era of “cause marketing,” with brands promoting their value and community impact along with their wares. This has played a role in younger attendees’ expectations that events will do more than just benefit them—they want the events they pour resources into to support a mission.</p>
<p>Making your meetings <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/482/how-to-talk-with-vendors-about-your-sustainability-goals">environmentally sustainable</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/410/is-inclusion-part-of-your-organizing-principle">inclusive</a>, and culturally sensitive goes a long way with this group. Consider adding an explicit charitable aspect to your meetings too, whether that’s highlighting the economic impact your event has to the host organization (if it’s a nonprofit), creating opportunities for attendees to volunteer at the destination, or hosting extracurricular activities with a philanthropic bent.</p>

<h2><strong>Support Attendees’ Mental Health and Well-Being</strong></h2>
<p>Younger attendees began their careers during the pandemic—a time of peak attention to mental health and emotional wellness. The stresses they experienced as students and young adults show up in their <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/addressing-the-unprecedented-behavioral-health-challenges-facing-generation-z">levels of emotional distress</a>, and it takes flight in the form of their resilience, with self-care becoming a pillar of how young attendees make their way through the world.</p>
<p>To support this mission for all attendees, pay particular attention to how you’re constructing your meetings’ time and space. According to research firm Mintel, 38% of Generation Z reports prioritizing time for themselves, compared with just 27% of adults overall. Incorporating downtime into events can help attendees meet their self-care needs without missing out on programming and networking opportunities. Designating spaces as “quiet zones” or sensory rooms can provide eventgoers with a haven during “on” times as well.</p>

<h2><strong>Demonstrate Your Event’s Value</strong></h2>
<p>Generation Z is less willing to spend money on experiences for experiences’ sake than their predecessors, according to research from Mintel. Yet they’re eager to meet in person: The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.freeman.com/resources/freeman-trends-report-q1-2023/">Q1 2023 events report from Freeman</a> shows that 75% of younger attendees say in-person gatherings provide the most trustworthy information.<br>
 <br>
To keep their trust, let them know what they’ll expect. Focus on the value they’ll get from investing time in your event, not just the “experience.” Knowing specifics about how they’ll be getting hands-on learning and a deeper connection to colleagues will help them—and all attendees—click “Register Now.”</p>

<h2><strong>Artfully Integrate Technology Into Every Part of Your Meeting</strong></h2>
<p>Digital natives value many of the same analog approaches of previous generations; they just see technology as being complementary to those approaches, not separate. It’s easy to see how that comes into play in remote and hybrid meetings. But keeping technology in an active support role in fully in-person meetings can amplify the reasons people gather in the first place.</p>
<p>What this means for meeting planners: Lean into technology for every aspect of your programming, without making it the focus. In-session live polling, interactive displays, tech-enabled accessibility options, LED volumes, <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/422/perfect-the-art-of-the-hashtag">skilled use of hashtags</a>—all of these ladder up to an attendee experience that’s amplified by, not dominated by, technology.</p>

Want to Make Your Meetings More Valuable for All Your Attendees? Pay Attention to the Needs of Generation Z.

Win Over Gen Z, Win Over Everyone

<p>Twenty-five years ago, Matthew Shepard lost his life. The violent hate crime against the 21-year-old gay college student was a watershed moment for the next wave of LGBTQ+ activism—and the roots of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, an outreach organization founded by Matthew’s parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard, to create change and combat hate in communities and individuals.</p>
<p>On October 14, 2023, the Foundation commemorated the 25th anniversary of Matthew’s death, while celebrating individuals who embody that spirit of change. The gala’s home: the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. The gala’s mission: to commemorate Matthew while raising funds to continue the Foundation’s good works. And one of the Foundation’s key philanthropic partners: Marriott International.</p>
<p>“Marriott has maintained loyal and loving ties to the Matthew Shepard Foundation for several years,” says Cherilyn Williams, VP, Purpose Driven Marketing at Marriott International. Judy and Dennis are frequent special guests at Marriott events, commemorations, and Pride gatherings, and the Foundation is aligned with Marriott’s commitment to LGBTQ+ equality.</p>
<p>“We want to highlight philanthropic partnerships like those with Marriott who have consistently gone beyond simply having our backs financially, but who have supported our brand values, actually being there to support our programmatic efforts—not just writing a check,” says Dana Juniel, EVP, strategy and communication at the Matthew Shepard Foundation.</p>
<p>As planners continue to find ways to deepen their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, consider finding philanthropic partners, including suppliers and vendors, who can help bring your vision to life. With the right DEI-forward philanthropic partnership, your organization’s mission can find its footing—as can the communities you’re supporting. Read on to discover how Marriott and the Matthew Shepard Foundation cultivated a true philanthropic partnership, and how you can borrow from their path.</p>

<h2><strong>The First Step to a Successful Philanthropic Partnership</strong></h2>
<p>Before you can assess potential partners, you need to set them—and yourself—up for success. That means doing what you already do: “Understand your audience,” Juniel says. Tap the skills you’ve cultivated in knowing your attendees, and communicate that clearly to potential partners.</p>
<p>In Juniel’s case, that meant understanding the difference between a Denver crowd and other crowds around the country—the timing of ticket sales, the dress code, the expected opening bids on paddle auctions. The more partners know about your attendees, the more they’ll be able to bring to the table.</p>
<p>But before you even talk with partners, you can help your event stay true to your equity principles by intentionally soliciting the work of diverse suppliers and vendors. “There’s always a business owned by a person of color or a veteran,” Chivonne Hyppolite, founder and CEO of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.abstractelementsevents.com/">Abstract Elements</a> in Atlanta, <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/515/nine-ways-to-build-partnerships-with-diverse-vendors">told Marriott Bonvoy Events</a> in 2023 when discussing how to build partnerships with diverse vendors. “There’s always a business that has people who look like me. Being purposeful in seeking them out is key.”</p>

<h2><strong>Authenticity and Kindness Rule the Room</strong></h2>
<p>Juniel and Williams agree on the No. 1 quality needed for a philanthropic partnership to take flight: authenticity.</p>
<p>“The philanthropic partnership came from having an authentic relationship,” Juniel says. Williams echoes the sentiment: “When we lead with our long-standing values and express our support year after year, the bonds of trust and friendship blossom.”</p>
<p>Juniel also recommends looking for philanthropic partners who can express in their own words what’s important about an event. This can demonstrate that they are already ideologically aligned with your goals.</p>
<p>“We cherish these partnerships and often dedicate them to marginalized causes and ones that are most likely to benefit from our dedicated support. These are causes that also reflect the long-held values of our company,” Williams says. When evaluating potential partners, ask about their existing contributions and commitments to causes in sync with yours.</p>
<p>Ideal partners will come in with their own ideas of how to make the event live up to the values it espouses, along with compatible values. For example, if you’re talking with event designers you’re looking to partner with on an event focused on childhood education, you might be intrigued by a designer who comes in with interactive ideas, demonstrating that they understand the subject matter. And if that designer presents their own concepts of <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/518/the-form-of-inclusion-your-events-might-be-missing">neuroinclusive design</a>, a hot topic in childhood education circles? All the better.</p>
<p>Also, look for kindness. “I don’t think we give enough credit to people, particularly in corporate America, who are kind,” Juniel says. When there’s kindness and authenticity, the rest falls into place. “I know that I’m going to be met with a friendly, patient, understanding willingness to partner—they want our event and our organization to be successful,” she says of Marriott.</p>

<h2><strong>Look for a Willingness to Go Beyond Financial Contributions</strong></h2>
<p>Philanthropy can look like a big—and much-needed—novelty check. But a philanthropic partnership is more than that.</p>
<p>“We want our partners to represent the same values and philosophies that we do as an organization,” Juniel says.</p>
<p>On Marriott’s end, the philanthropic partnership matches its own values, aligning with <a target="_blank" href="https://serve360.marriott.com/sustainable-goals/">its Serve 360 ethos</a>: “to do good in every direction.” In action, that means that partners should bring their full capabilities to the table, combining their passion for action with their skill and expertise.</p>
<p>For the MSF gala, that meant an immediate understanding of the needs of the community and implementing them in the event space. Gender-neutral bathrooms for an LGBTQ+ event was a no-brainer, but other elements designed for this event required more foresight.</p>
<p>That said, Marriott followed a basic rule: “Ask good questions with care and sensitivity,” Williams says. “When asking good questions, care and sensitivity are always welcome.” Finding small ways to make guests feel welcome, then communicating those ideas to you, demonstrates good-faith partnership.</p>

<h2><strong>A True Partner Is Proactive</strong></h2>
<p>Another sign that MSF had found a reliable partner in Marriott: Communication was never a one-way street.</p>
<p>“We’re not always reaching out to them,” Juniel says of MSF’s relationship with Marriott. “Very often, they’re reaching out to us with proposals for things they want to do.” That’s how <a target="_blank" href="https://www.marriottloveletters.com/">Marriott Love Letters</a>, which encouraged patrons to send positive messages to LGBTQ+ youth through its online portal, came to be in 2022. For every message sent, Marriott International made a donation to The Matthew Shepard Foundation and PFLAG National.</p>
<p>That offering came about because Marriott wasn’t waiting to be told how to be a good partner; they did the work. “It’s that February call, during our slow season, where they’re just checking in and not making a direct ask, but instead just connecting with the people who are the decision-makers,” Juniel says. “They get a better understanding and a stronger relationship with the organization.”</p>
<p>Connection. Authenticity. Proactivity. It’s the essence of any kind of partnership. And for your philanthropic partnership to take root, they’re seeds worth sowing.</p>

Learn From the Collaboration Between the Matthew Shepard Foundation and Marriott International. 

How to Choose the Right Philanthropic Partners

<p>“Nothing about us without us” has long been a rallying cry for the disability rights movement. But while meeting planners do their best to follow accessibility guidelines and <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/514/is-your-programming-as-accessible-as-your-venue">create accessible programming</a>, they might not be following that tenet.</p>
<p>Including people with a range of abilities in the planning process helps ensure that the event goes beyond checking boxes about wheelchair accessibility. The broader the scope of voices involved, the more an event can be truly welcoming.</p>
<p>Below are some steps toward deepening your relationship with the disability community. But take note: Your newly found partners in accessibility aren’t doing the work for you. It’s still up to planners to know and address the principal concerns of the community, understand venue and programming guidelines, and uncover ways to make events more inclusive.</p>

<h3><strong>Find the Right Voices to Invite In</strong></h3>
<p>Start by asking within your organization or your client contacts. Is there someone in your organization who has an existing relationship with a local activist community? Who has brought up concerns about accessibility within the organization before?</p>
<p>You can also turn to the experts. The ADA National Network has <a target="_blank" href="https://adata.org/find-your-region">regional ADA centers</a> that provide local assistance, as well as a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.adainfo.org/hospitality/">hospitality portal</a> with a handful of resources, including an accessible meetings guide.</p>
<p>The convention and visitors bureau or destination marketing organization of your host destination may also be able to point you in the right direction. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.visittampabay.com/accessible-travel/">Visit Tampa Bay</a>, for example, works with disability influencers to inform its own policies around accessibility and authentically promote the Tampa Bay area as an accessible destination.</p>

<h3><strong>Cultivate Your Relationships</strong></h3>
<p>You’re a master networker, so you’re probably already intuitively applying those skills to these new connections—reaching out for regular check-ins, taking time to note their achievements in professional settings, and so on. But this isn’t just about maintaining contact; it’s about making sure that you’ve developed enough trust that your partners will be able to help you think differently. When <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/410/is-inclusion-part-of-your-organizing-principle">inclusion is part of your organizing principles</a>, your events can’t help but be more inclusive and accessible.</p>
<p>Also, think about how you can compensate your partners for their time and expertise. They’re not doing you a favor; they’re leveraging their personal experience to make your events better for everyone. For ongoing relationships, a stipend may be appropriate. Some partners may benefit from free access to your organization’s programming and events as a form of payment. Whatever you do, compensating them for their time in a meaningful way is another way of demonstrating your commitment to inclusivity.</p>

<h3><strong>Implement Their Findings</strong></h3>
<p>This doesn’t mean responding in a knee-jerk fashion and then scrambling to, say, find a sign language interpreter at the last minute. It’s more about listening to all your partners and collaborating to find ways to make sure their findings see the light of day in a thoughtful manner.</p>
<p>As an example, when <a target="_blank" href="https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/news-and-highlights/article/555/marriott-international-becomes-first-hospitality-company-to-introduce-neuroinclusive-practices-at-its-largest-customer-events">Marriott International worked with The Neu Project</a>, an initiative geared toward inclusive events that welcome neurodiverse attendees, it led to ongoing, sustainable practices that changed how Marriott-hosted events operate. Live captioning is now available at any Marriott-hosted customer event of 250 people or more, for example; it’s not an afterthought.</p>
<p>Regardless of how you work with your inclusivity partners, remember that this is only part of the work. Following accessibility guidelines is the bare minimum. Being proactive about anticipating and accommodating needs—discovered through working with your partners, asking attendees and clients directly, and your own ongoing research—will help ensure that people with a range of abilities will get all they can from your events.</p>

It’s Time to Go Deeper With Your Commitment to Inclusivity.

Is Your Meeting Truly Accessible? Ask the Experts.

<p>Everyone deserves to be recognized for who we are regardless of race, gender, nationality, or any other point of human differences. Embrace diversity and inclusivity in your next event so that everyone, no matter their background, is given a chance to thrive, grow, and feel included. Marriott’s core value of putting people first encompasses our commitment to diversity and inclusion. We believe that embracing differences is what makes Marriott a great place to work, gather, and stay. Here are just a few examples of how Marriott is working towards this goal and what you can do to incorporate diversity and inclusion in your next event.</p>
<h2><strong>1. Build a Diverse Workfore&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>Having a diverse team allows us to gain a better understanding of the global market and come up with innovative ways to serve and delight guests. Building a healthy and genuine culture of diversity and inclusion transforms employee motivation and happiness in amazing ways. All who interact with members within the team feel extra welcomed and encouraged.</p>
<p>In Marriott, we continue to foster an inclusive environment by empowering our associates to champion the initiatives and developing resources that build awareness about cultural differences. We extended the initiative beyond our workforce and created diverse supplier programs such as “<a href="https://www.marriott.com/diversity/supplier-diversity.mi">EXCHANGES</a>” to partner with minority, women, LGBT, disabled, and veteran-owned businesses around the world. As a result, we have been named one of the World’s Best Multinational Workplaces by Great Place to Work® and ranked as one of the top companies for diversity. We believe the diversity of our team can help us better take care of you and your guests.</p>
<h2><strong>2. Promote Cultural Understanding</strong></h2>
<p>As part of the worldwide Culture Day at Marriott, participants learned business practices in the Korean culture, including the exchange of business cards in Dubai.</p>
<p>Creating inclusive events that respects and welcomes all begin with cultural understanding. Don’t make assumptions and be aware of any bias that you may have from the beginning. By simply opening your eyes and ears to your surroundings, you can already present yourself in a positive way that encourages others. You can also work with a culturally diverse events team where thoughts and concerns are comfortably shared. Having an open and safe platform allows for the diverse voices and perspectives to be heard and appreciated.</p>
<p>Different cultures have different event needs and meeting etiquette. Through partnerships, training, and education, we ensure that our hotels are a place of inclusion and comfort for all. One of the ways we do so is by incorporating “Culture Days” for our staff. Immersive training is designed to build cultural competence and confidence by giving property teams a unique opportunity to experience and understand appropriate cultural terms, business and social protocols, traditions, trends, cuisine, and clothing.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Event guests can also take advantage of <a href="https://activities.marriott.com/">Marriott Bonvoy Tours and Activities</a> as a way to experience and gain a better understanding of the different cultures for themselves. With over 200,000 local experiences in over 1,000 destinations worldwide, we try to elevate travel as a catalyst for peace and cultural understanding.</p>
<h2><strong>3. Celebrate Women</strong></h2>
<p>Although it is recognized that gender diversity in events is a good thing, progress has been relatively slow. For your next event and conference, try to have a more diverse and representative panel to showcase your company’s dedication to gender diversity and gender equality.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As an event partner, Marriott is a strong advocate for honoring women and gender balance in the hospitality industry. As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of our Women’s Leadership Development Initiative, we want to continue to encourage, acknowledge and empower our female leaders by organizing more events like W Hotel’s “What She Said” conference that brings together powerful and progressive women.</p>
<h2><strong>4. Embrace Gender Diversity and Sexual Orientation</strong></h2>
<p>Marriott’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is about creating a warm space where everyone belongs. It means that we are dedicated to taking care of all guests from the gender diversity spectrum and fostering a positive sense of wellbeing. At your next event and meeting, offer various pronoun choices and honorifics for your registration forms or platforms, badges, and signages. If possible, you can also provide gender-neutral bathrooms for attendees to use.&nbsp;</p>
<p>We are always consciously finding ways to create an accepting community. Initiatives and events such as W hotel’s social guide for LGBTQ travelers, W London’s participation at the London Pride Parade, and W Hong Kong’s Drag Me to Late Brunch are just a few little ways that we provide an accepting and friendly environment for events and meetings.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Diversity means little without inclusivity. Embrace diversity and inclusivity for your next event. Little things like adding pronouns and having a more representative community can go a long way. By making sure that all people of different backgrounds are heard and celebrated, we can slowly bring positive change within the greater community. We look forward to hosting you and your guests from all walks of life at your next meeting.</p>

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion

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