Cameron Roberts , editor , Conference News , uncovers how tokenism undercuts real diversity and inclusion in events

iversity , equity and inclusion ( DEI ) in events is an ever-rising priority for event organisers across the globe . With this rise however , some planners have fallen into the trap of promoting tokenism , by only investing in DEI on a surface level as opposed to making a genuine strive for change .

This surface-level commitment to change is likely to have adverse effects for organisers not

“ People just don ’ t necessarily want to come to the event where they don ’ t feel represented in what is being presented to them .”

– David Ogiste

attempting to move the needle . To find out what tokenism in events looks like , how it impacts attendee experience and how to avoid its pitfalls , I spoke to David Ogiste , founder , Nobody ’ s Café , and Neil Basing , events manager and emcee , PinkNews .

What ’ s the problem ? Tokenism is defined as making a symbolic effort to do something , in the context of under-represented groups , this may manifest in recruiting individuals from these groups to appear to be promoting DEI . In events , this can be including

David Ogiste

someone from one of these groups as an afterthought on a panel or in an attendee list .

Organisers may not see the problem here , after all , making an effort to include these marginalised groups has to be a good thing , right ? The issue stems from not making a genuine effort to get the right people from these groups or resorting to the same names every time . By choosing people to appear based solely on immutable characteristics , it devalues the conversation and does not create a positive atmosphere . David Ogiste , founder , Nobody ’ s Café , said : “ It ’ s realistically creating an atmosphere where diverse people within that room don ’ t feel included . So that ’ s creating an atmosphere where they are invited as a tick box exercise . It ’ s an organiser saying that they