s our industry rebuilds , we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to rebuild better . Our goal must be to create a more diverse , inclusive and accessible industry that better represents the world in which we operate , the brands we serve and the delegates we engage . Most agencies now have equality , diversity and inclusion ( EDI ) polices and everyone accepts that increasing the diversity of a workforce is a good thing , but with only 10 % of the industry from a Black , Brown or minority ethnic background , what can we actively do about it ?

“ Our people have always been the core of our business model and we pride ourselves on our family culture at DRPG ,” comments Dale Parmenter , CEO of DRPG . “ However , it didn ’ t take statistics to see the issue in front of us , in our teams , our suppliers and venues across the industry landscape . The lack of ethnic minority representation is obvious , and we need to work together to make a noticeable difference . We are now invested in the REACH programme as part of our diversity and inclusion efforts which will be a fantastic driver for this industry .”

“ Our goal must be to create a more diverse , inclusive and accessible industry that better represents the world in which we operate , the brands we serve and the delegates we engage ”

About REACH The REACH Events Scholarship initiative provides a fund for Black , Brown or minority ethnic students to study on events management degree programmes , providing a £ 5,000 a year scholarship to support with living expenses . The funds are donated by agencies , venues , and suppliers who each pledge £ 5,000 a year for three years .

REACH was created by an industry task force led by Robert Kenward , Event First Steps , Mash Media and Diversity Ally . “ It ’ s logical that we can only increase diversity if we take a grassroots approach and attract more people into the industry in the first place ,” says Robert Kenward , founder of The Hub . “ It ’ s not enough to hope that we will naturally become more diverse ; we need to actively promote our industry and make it more appealing and accessible to Black , Brown and minority ethnic talent . I implore the industry to act now and support the REACH scholarship because it ’ s a way of making a real and tangible impact .”

A full rounded approach When Identity was made aware of this programme , they committed

without question . “ Not only was the programme a fantastic opportunity for us to ‘ give back ’ and begin the journey towards evening the playing field ,” comments Michael Gietzen , managing director , “ it also gives us the ability to connect with and encourage future talent from a diverse range of backgrounds .”

“ When we launched Diversity Ally , it was a case of somebody needing to take ownership of driving the mission to make our industry the most diverse , accessible and inclusive industry out there ,” says Gabrielle Austen Browne , co-founder , Diversity Ally . “ We understood that someone needed to start those uncomfortable conversations and begin challenging the status quo and to galvanise our industry to do better and be better . We see ourselves as the custodians of this mission , to drive diversity through events , but now it ’ s time for the industry to start taking ownership of some of what needs to be done , and that means committing to do something , whether that ’ s large or small .” “ We are all focussed on a selection of progressive topics across the industry at the moment ,” comments Parmenter . “ Whilst an agency could spend their efforts on