Building Inclusive Spaces: Insights from LGBT MPA's New Strategic Plan

Could you provide a brief overview of the key initiatives and priorities in LGBT MPA’s new strategic plan and how they align with the association’s updated mission and vision statements?

 

When we revised our mission and vision in March of this year, it was critical for us to ensure that we, as the voice of the LGBTQIA2+ global events community, focused on creating value for all our stakeholders. As we worked on our new strategic plan, we kept the mission and vision front of mind to guarantee alignment. We also ensured there was broad representation at the table during the in-person strategy retreat to include destination marketing organisations (DMO’s), both domestic and international, hotel brands, and the planner community. The outcome focuses on four main priorities: educating diverse audiences; enhancing partner relations; growing and engaging membership, through our new membership model; and advocating for the LGBTQIA2+ global events community. 

 

What are the association’s biggest challenges in promoting inclusion and diversity within the events industry?

 

The biggest challenges facing the events industry when it comes to creating inclusive events are: unconscious biases that influence choices like choosing vendors or selecting speakers; lack of diverse role models that can perpetuate a cycle where certain groups are underrepresented; accessibility issues – ensuring everyone can participate equally, means thinking through accessibility needs of your attendees beyond disabilities that are visibly apparent; and resource constraints – implementing inclusive practices often requires additional resources (financial and physical) that may be a barrier for smaller organisations or events.

 

With the rise of far-right governments threatening LGTBIQ+ rights, how can LGBT MPA help convention bureaus and venues, which rely on local government support, to continue advocating for the LGTBIQ+ community?

We spend a lot of time discussing the impact of discriminatory legislation on the global events industry and our role in advocating for the LGBTQIA2+ community. The LGBTQIA2+ community is intersectional, meaning it spans across race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, etc., so we must pay attention to legislation that not only discriminates against the LGBTQIA2+ community, but also considers how it impacts safety in other ways – e.g., reproductive healthcare/rights or racial discrimination. We know that boycotts aren’t always effective when it comes to changing legislation and, in some cases, contracts are executed so far in advance that we can’t foresee future legislative issues or the impact on event attendees. However, we also want to ensure the LGBTQIA2+ community is safe when they travel to events in destinations with discriminatory legislation, so we are openly discussing all points of view. Our new strategic priorities of enhancing partner relations and advocating for the LGBTQIA2+ events community will offer an opportunity for LGBT MPA to do more to address the issues through education and the creation of resources, guidelines, and best practices in collaboration with our DMO/CVB partners and planner members. 

What advice would you give to LGBT+ and allied meeting professionals who want to create more inclusive and welcoming event environments?

 

Every time I speak or moderate a session for the LGBT MPA, I learn something new. One thing we don’t consider is that some people aren’t out and may not want to have their photo taken at an LGBT+ networking event, so creating a photo-free zone is important. We talk a lot about the data we collect on registration forms – make sure there’s a legitimate business use for collecting information like gender identity or accessibility needs and always offer a “prefer not to say” option. I’m a big fan of pronouns! People see my first name and mistake me for male, when my gender identity is female, so giving me an opportunity to provide pronouns immediately creates a feeling of inclusion. If you are going to offer the opportunity to select pronouns, make sure you include them all. Currently: He/Him/His; He/They; She/Her/Hers; She/They; They/Them; and remember They/Them is singular. Finally, openly share your unique solutions with others and attend sessions on creating inclusive events – if you don’t see any, provide that feedback to event organisers. Being open to learning and sharing is a big step in creating inclusive events where attendees feel they belong. 

 

In our conversation with Elena Gerstmann from SocialOffset in the previous issue, it was emphasised that congress-goers are increasingly boycotting events or destinations that don't conform to their values. Have you noticed delegates refusing to attend events in specific destinations?

 

People and organisations are boycotting events that don’t align with their values, and destinations with discriminatory laws. If you are going to boycott, be sure to have all the facts first and don’t be silent about it. There are many destinations/venues, especially in the US, that are just as frustrated with their state laws, and they are working hard to affect change. If the destination or event organisers don’t know you are boycotting, then your voice is going unheard, and they may need your voice to prove a point. If you want to make an impact, send your RFP and then share that, while the destination or venue is a great fit, you are declining a proposal because of the discriminatory legislation, or tell the event organiser that you have chosen not to register so they have a record of your dissent. Then ask what you can do to help. If you are an organisation and have no way out of a contract, then work with the DMO or the Conventions and Visitors Bureau to find ways that you and your attendees can support the LGBTQIA2+ community in that destination through organisations like the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce or SocialOffset, and be transparent with attendees about why you cannot cancel your event.

With WorldPride coming to Washington, DC, in 2025, marking the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations there, do you see an opportunity for LGBT MPA to partner with the destination’s stakeholders, such as the bureau, venues, hotels, and event planners? 

 

I live in the DC Metro Area and I am so excited for this event next year! I have been to DC Pride and when I leave, I wish every day of the year could be like that – surrounded by love, acceptance, and people who can be their authentic selves. We hope there is an opportunity for LGBT MPA to engage and we are beginning to have those conversations. We felt it was important to solidify our mission, vision, and strategy and then look for opportunities that align and strengthen LGBT MPA and the LGBTQIA2+ global events community. 

 

LGBT MPA was present at IMEX Frankfurt; are there plans to expand to other regions to increase your reach and impact with new members and partners?

 

Since I joined LGBT MPA as their Executive Director in September last year, we have presented educational sessions and hosted networking events in collaboration with IMEX Frankfurt and America; PCMA Convening Leaders and edUcon; Business Events Industry Week in DC; MPI, at their IMEX events and their World Education Conference; and Connect Marketplace. We are finalising Memorandums of Understanding for annual partnerships with several organisations and look forward to sharing that information as they are executed.