Tips and Thoughts on Inclusivity and Diversity in Experiential Event Marketing and Production

September 6, 2023

Charity Hill

Charity Hill is the co-founder and managing partner of EPIC Entertainment Group, a collective of innovative producers, experiential marketers and creative designers whose sole mission is to produce unrivaled immersive experiences while having a kick-ass time doing it. Launched in 2016, the group’s team of fine-tuned, experienced architects execute every facet of development, production, operation and integration with flawless precision for events of every scope and scale.

Diversity and inclusion in the workplace aren’t new concepts, but companies that organically realize these aspects in their culture undoubtedly see varied viewpoints and perspectives worked into their day-to-day operations. For some companies, this is simply part of their fabric and is quietly woven into their culture. 

The practice of inclusion attracts a diverse group of people with unique perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that can positively weave into the work of your team and execution of events. Here are some ideas for fostering a more inclusive and diverse workplace at your organization: 

  • It’s important to normalize inclusion in an authentic way as well as to recognize that even though we strive to be inclusive, that doesn’t mean we have an immediate understanding of where someone is coming from. Diversity affords event organizers a vantage point. It allows the ability to seamlessly produce and to fit in just about any community, reflecting the cultural nuances necessary for event success. 
  • Be open to recognizing that you don’t come from the same background, place or experiences as everyone else. It’s important to listen to and hear the people around you to incorporate their feedback and viewpoints when you’re putting together your team and creating your workflow and production of events.
  • Consider creating opportunities in productions to help push your team to their own boundaries, and you may see it translate to the audiences’ experience as well. We’ve created unique roles and characters in past productions that allow people to bring in their own personalities to enhance these performances, and we create an environment where everyone has a voice, no matter who they are and where they come from.
  • Push productions that can be considered a safe space where everyone feels welcome and guests can see themselves represented in some way. This will leave attendees feeling included and satisfied.

Inclusivity, as it pertains to multi-dimensional storytelling, has allowed event pros to produce educational and informative events across the country in diverse locations. We work to bring our team together in a genuine way and lift up the voices we are most trying to understand. It’s not a numbers game or a perception game; it’s about walking the walk and magnifying and amplifying those voices and views. 

When people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives are brought together and included in the narrative of a live production project, the innovation and creativity brought to the table can be endless, which creates not only a more responsive workforce but also productions that audiences can relate to, feel represented by and ultimately leave feeling fulfilled. 


Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on TwitterFacebook and LinkedIn!

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Every day, MGM Resorts hosts organizations and individuals from around the world with a diverse array of business purposes, needs and expectations. But they all have one thing in common—a host committed to making their meetings sustainable and unforgettable through close partnership and responsible meeting practices. Harnessing the Sun Meetings at MGM Resorts are predominantly powered by the sun, thanks to its innovative 100-megawatt solar array. As the largest directly sourced renewable electricity project in the hospitality industry, the solar array features 323,000 panels and produces up to 100% of MGM Resorts’ daytime power needs in Las Vegas.* Built in 2021, the solar array reduces the carbon footprint of meetings—and all of MGM Resorts—while still delivering an enlightening and electrifying guest experience. Leading Water Stewardship Knowing water is essential to operations, guests and employees, MGM Resorts has long employed various conservation measures and has doubled down on its commitment in recent years to become a leading corporate water steward. In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate, a United National Global Compact, becoming the first gaming company to endorse the initiative. The company replaced more than 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas and pledged to reduce water use by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030. Between 2007 and 2022, MGM Resorts saved more than 6 billion gallons of water through water conservation. Fostering Diversity, Equity & Inclusion MGM Resorts serves a world of diverse people, perspectives and experiences by cultivating a workforce culture that embraces all of humanity. From mindful recruitment and hiring practices to meaningful social responsibility initiatives, MGM Resorts is a welcoming and inclusive space for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members and more. The company’s commitment to supplier diversity drives innovation by extending competitive opportunities to local and diverse-owned suppliers, while the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program provides diverse-owned businesses tools and resources to enhance and grow their businesses. Paying it Forward MGM Resorts knows that great companies must serve the greater good. That’s why paying it forward is part of its approach to meetings and events. Through the Feeding Forward Program, MGM Resorts collects and preserves unserved and untouched food from conventions held at its properties, then safely donates to food-insecure people through a partnership with Three Square, Southern Nevada’s primary food bank. Since 2016, MGM Resorts has donated more than 3.7 million meals, with a goal of 5 million meal donations by 2025. Donations include unserved perishable prepared foods from events, perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens and nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses. From world-class venues and experiences to industry leading responsible meeting practices, MGM Resorts is proud to host meaningful and sustainable events. *Not including The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas