Skift Take

Events offer a major opportunity to bring different kinds of people together. Planners need to do more to not just attract but also empower those who have been left out by the traditional paradigms of event design.

We’ve all been to events where you’re surrounded by besuited white dudes who already seem to know each other. Not only do events like this not reflect the wider world, but a lack of diversity leads to a more stagnant and insular experience.

Research suggests that planners are aware of the positive outcomes that stem from hosting diverse attendees, but they struggle with implementing change due to a lack of education. Check out the story below.

Eventbrite posted disappointing financial results last week, leading to more questions about its future. It’s hard to please investors when a company doesn’t make money, and Eventbrite’s path to profitability remains unclear.

We’ve also got new data from Cvent that suggest pressure on the events sector has led to a slowdown in group bookings.

If you have any feedback about the newsletter or news tips, feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] or tweet @sheivach.

— Andrew Sheivachman, Senior Editor

The Future of Events and Meetings

Planners Need Better Education to Create Diverse and Inclusive Events: Meetings and events should reflect the wider world, not just the insular sphere of corporate executives. Planners, though, need better education to create experiences that welcome a more diverse set of attendees.

Eventbrite’s Slow Ticketfly Integration Leads to Growing Losses: Eventbrite is getting slammed by investors as costs mount from integrating Ticketfly. The company’s core ticketing business is strong, though. It needs to bring new event technology products to market once the Ticketfly quagmire ends.

Cvent Research Points to Lasting Group Booking Slowdown: Cvent’s group booking research shows that consolidation and increased costs have likely caused the hot meetings market in North America to cool down on its platform. It could signal something bad for the sector on the horizon.

Around the Industry

The Bird Man of Big Sur Helps This Resort’s Guests Connect With Nature: Antonio Balestreri’s work depends on how well he can educate guests on the role of raptors in the environment, something which gives his presentations a serious edge.

Conference Rooms Are Melting Your Brain: Research shows stagnant air can impair your cognitive ability if you’re trapped in a conference room for too long. Open a window, please.

Experience Economy Goes Disney and Big Bucks Follow: Meow Wolf, the formerly punk art collective, has sold out and wants to become a premiere tourism destination for hipsters from around the world.

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Skift Senior Editor Andrew Sheivachman [[email protected]] curates the Skift Meetings Innovation Report. Skift emails the newsletter every Wednesday.

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Tags: meetings, meetingsiq

Photo credit: Re:publica conference in Berlin, Germany. Stefanie Loos/re:publica / Flickr

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