How to support inclusive events

Since events and speaker season seem to be coming out of their pandemic-induced hibernation, I’m here to share some resources for speakers and event organizers.

Events must evolve.

Lots of events ask speakers to fund their own participation in the event, like buying their own ticket or covering their own travel and lodging expenses. Some events may justify this by saying this is the way it's always been done and claim that these practices cannot evolve. Some may say that inexperienced or marginalized speakers should agree to speak on these terms for the "exposure" or the "experience". Plenty will fall back on (very real) budget limitations.

I call bullshit on all of this—events can and must evolve. This way of thinking is outdated at best and discriminatory and marginalizing at worst. It perpetuates inequities that are all too common in tech and the events space.

Speakers are in a position to push back on event organizers, make them aware of how we expect them to evolve, and encourage change to an industry that has systemically favored privileged folks (especially white men).

If you're a speaker (or aspire to be one):

Use these resources to educate yourself and the event organizers asking you to speak. Hold them accountable to enact change.

If you organize or host events:

Use these resources to raise your awareness of the importance of creating meaningfully inclusive events and to guide your roadmap for doing so.

The resources: