Designing Events for Brains – not just budgets!

In the events industry, we talk a lot about budgets; margins, footfall, ROI, delegate numbers, square metre costs – all important, all necessary, but we don’t talk nearly enough about brains. The nervous systems moving through our spaces, the sensory load of conferences, the cognitive exhaustion of festivals, the emotional labour of networking, the quiet…
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“No More DIY Support” — What the Autism Act Committee Really Means for Events

Why the House of Lords inquiry signals the end of improvised sensory support, and what the events industry must do next. The House of Lords Autism Act 2009 Committee has this week published its findings, and one message cuts through everything: Support for autistic people can no longer be improvised, superficial, or left to goodwill.…
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Beyond Surface-Level Inclusion: Why Events Need a Deeper Approach to Accessibility

In the last week, I’ve seen a noticeable shift in conversations around accessibility and neuroinclusion at events. More organisers, suppliers and industry voices are buzzing in, asking questions, sharing experiences, debating “what’s reasonable,” and exploring what inclusion should look like in practice. Awareness is rising, and that’s a really good thing. But as these discussions…
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Why Supervised Quiet Rooms Aren’t Optional — They’re a Legal, Safety and Safeguarding Requirement

Quiet rooms are rapidly becoming a core part of modern event design, and that’s a good thing. They give attendees a safe, calm space to step away from sensory overload, emotional overwhelm, or the sheer intensity of an event environment. But here’s the part the industry still hasn’t caught up with: If you provide a…
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Voices From the Quiet Room: Why Lived Experience Must Lead the Conversation on Neuroinclusion

We talk a lot about innovation, creativity, engagement, and experience, but there’s a quieter conversation happening, one that is so often overlooked, yet absolutely essential for the wellbeing and inclusion of thousands of attendees. At EventWell, we see what happens in these spaces every single week; people arriving overstimulated, overwhelmed, exhausted or anxious, and leaving…
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Why the Events Industry Needs the Quiet Room Safety & Supervision Standard (QSSS™)

And why we can’t afford to get this wrong anymore. Quiet rooms are finally becoming a mainstream inclusion feature across conferences, exhibitions, festivals and sporting events, and that’s a brilliant step forward. More organisers are recognising that big crowds, high sensory load and fast-paced environments can be overwhelming, especially for neurodivergent attendees, people with anxiety,…
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“Voices That Shape Us” – Evie Darrell

At EventWell, every host brings a unique story, lived experience, and perspective that shapes the way we create safe, calm, and inclusive spaces for others. Voices That Shape Us is a celebration of those voices, the calm in the crowd, the compassion behind the support, and the lived understanding that makes our SensoryCalm™ spaces what…
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“Voices That Shape Us” – Hannah Smith

At EventWell, every host brings a unique story, lived experience, and perspective that shapes the way we create safe, calm, and inclusive spaces for others. Voices That Shape Us is a celebration of those voices, the calm in the crowd, the compassion behind the support, and the lived understanding that makes our SensoryCalm™ spaces what…
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What Neurodivergent Overwhelm Really Looks Like — And Why Leaving Someone Alone Isn’t Support

When we talk about neurodivergent overwhelm, it’s often misunderstood as simply feeling “stressed” or “anxious”. In reality, what is actually happening is a physiological stress response, it’s the nervous system shifting into survival mode. This isn’t a mindset issue… it’s biology. 🧠 The science behind overwhelm For people with all forms of neurodivergence (not only…
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Why Unsupervised Quiet Rooms Are a Safeguarding Risk — And Why Working With Specialists Isn’t Optional

Across the events industry, a troubling pattern is emerging: as budgets tighten, the first things to be cut are often accessibility and wellbeing services. Quiet Rooms, Sensory Spaces, and neuroinclusive design is being stripped back or replaced with tokenistic options, with little thought for safety, supervision, or safeguarding. Let’s be absolutely clear: at large-scale events,…
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Why the Event Industry’s Obsession with “Big Surprises” Needs to End

Let’s talk about the elephant in the exhibition hall. For some reason, the event industry still seems completely fixated on “big surprises”. The “shock and awe” moment, the unannounced headliner, the flash mob in the middle of networking, the mystery “secret experience” no one’s allowed to know about until they’re knee-deep in it. It’s as…
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Writing Sensory Guides for Neuroinclusive Events

How to ease pre-event anxiety and create calm through clarity For many neurodivergent attendees, the biggest source of stress before an event isn’t the event itself, it’s the unknown. What will it be like when I arrive?How bright will it be?How loud?Will I need to queue?Is there a quiet space if it all feels too…
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Neurodiversity: Not a Modern Phenomenon but an Evolutionary Strength

We often think of neurodiversity, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological differences, as something new, something we’ve only recently begun to understand. But what if these ways of thinking, processing, and experiencing the world aren’t modern anomalies at all, but deeply rooted parts of our evolutionary story? From an evolutionary perspective, there’s a compelling argument…
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🧠 Why Your ADHD Brain Craves Protein (And Why That Afternoon Slump Might Not Be About Sugar)

By Helen Moon, Neurodivergent CEO & Founder, EventWell Let’s talk about something I know I’m not alone in, the 3pm shakes, the foggy brain, the sudden need to eat everything in sight, or the strange cravings for yoghurt and eggs like you’re in some kind of protein cult. For years, I thought this was about…
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Stop the Veneers: Why Performative Neuroinclusion is Failing the Events Industry

Let’s have a straight-talking moment, shall we? Neuroinclusion isn’t a checklist or toolkit.It’s not a pastel-coloured chill-out zone in the corner.It’s not a last-minute social media post during Neurodiversity Celebration Week.It’s not plonking a fidget basket on a table and thinking job done. That’s performative. That’s veneer. That’s “let’s look inclusive” without being inclusive. And…
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Neuroinclusion & the EU Accessibility Act: What Event Organisers Need to Know (and Act On)

The countdown is on! From 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will change the rules of the game — and if you’re an event organiser, it’s time to start paying close attention, especially when it comes to neuroinclusion. While the EAA might look like a digital-first directive at first glance — websites, mobile…
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Why Venues Need to Stop Developing NeuroInclusion Toolkits for the Event Industry

Neuroinclusion in events is not just a trend, it’s a necessity. With research showing that 85% of neurodivergent attendees have avoided events due to fear of overwhelm and that 88% feel event organisers don’t understand their needs, it’s clear that real change is needed. However, a worrying pattern is emerging. Venues across the industry are…
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No Budget or No Buy-In? Rethinking Priorities in Event Accessibility

One of the most common responses we hear when discussing accessibility and inclusion at events is: “We’d love to, but we just don’t have the budget.” But is it really about budget? Or is it about buy-in? No Budget vs No Buy-In When an organiser says they have no budget, what they often mean is…
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The Misconception of the ‘Simple’ Quiet Room in Events

In recent years, many event industry guidance documents and accessibility reports have suggested that a quiet room can be a simple space with just some chairs and adjusted lighting. While this might seem like a well intentioned and easy to implement solution, it is fundamentally flawed and can be actively harmful to neurodivergent attendees and…
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Why Neuroinclusion is Universal Design for All Events

Every event is a neurodiverse event! Whether or not organisers realise it, their attendees include individuals with unique ways of processing the world. This includes neurodivergent individuals, such as those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological differences. But neurodiversity doesn’t stop there, it also includes neurotypical attendees. Neurodiversity refers to the full spectrum of…
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Unlocking Neurodivergent Strengths: The Game-Changing Value for the Events Industry

The conversation around neurodivergence has long been dominated by a deficit narrative, focusing on challenges and differences as obstacles to overcome. But what if we flipped the script? What if we highlighted the remarkable strengths neurodivergent people bring to the table, particularly in the fast-paced, dynamic world of event planning and management? Neurodivergent individuals possess…
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Mental and Cognitive Load: The Hidden Hurdles for Neurodivergent Event Attendees

Attending an event might seem like a straightforward decision for many people. Browse the lineup, grab a ticket, plan an outfit, and show up. However, for neurodivergent individuals, the decision to attend an event is far more complex, laden with mental and cognitive considerations that neurotypical attendees may not even think twice about. In this…
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Temporary Vulnerability in Sensory Overwhelm and Mental Distress

Sensory overwhelm and mental distress can lead to temporary vulnerability where individuals are unable to fully process their environment, make safe decisions, or communicate their needs effectively. This state can arise suddenly, particularly for neurodivergent individuals, people with mental health challenges, or those experiencing situational stress (e.g., at a crowded or intense event). Key aspects…
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The Employment Crisis for Autistic People and the Role of Inclusive Events

One of the starkest statistics about autistic individuals is that only 30% are in employment, a figure that speaks volumes about systemic barriers, stigma, and exclusion. Events, whether conferences, trade shows, networking meetups, or training sessions, play a critical role in addressing this disparity. These spaces are hubs of education, professional development, and connection, and…
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Why Event Organisers Should Invest in Supervised and Properly Resourced Sensory Spaces

In today’s events landscape, accessibility and inclusion are not optional, they are legal, ethical, and reputational imperatives. Providing supervised and properly resourced sensory spaces and quiet rooms is a critical investment for event organisers, especially considering the growing recognition of the needs of neurodivergent individuals and the legal obligations surrounding these provisions. Legal Considerations: Equality…
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Neurobiases in the Event Space: Breaking Down Barriers to True Inclusion

The event industry is a vibrant space where people connect, learn, and grow. However, for many neurodivergent individuals, events can be overwhelming and inaccessible due to neurobiases; unconscious assumptions or stereotypes about those who think, process, or experience the world differently. These biases create significant barriers to inclusion, often leaving neurodivergent attendees excluded or unsupported.…
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Why We Need to Stop Defining Individuals by Age Demographics

For decades, society has categorised people into neat age brackets; Millennials, Gen Z, Boomers, (Gen X, the forgotten one!), assuming that these labels accurately represent who we are, how we think, and what we need. But here’s the truth: using age demographics to define individuals often results in stereotypes, misrepresentation, and even discrimination. At EventWell…
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Sensory Decompression: The Science Behind It

Sensory decompression refers to the process of reducing sensory input to help individuals relax, reset, and recover from overstimulation. It is particularly beneficial for neurodivergent individuals who may be more sensitive to sensory inputs. Here’s the science behind it: 1. The Role of the Nervous System Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), the ANS has two main…
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Why Permanent Quiet Rooms in Hotels and Venues May Not Be the Best Option for Events

In an increasingly overstimulating world, the demand for quiet spaces at events has grown significantly. People, especially those who are neurodivergent or simply prone to overwhelm, appreciate the opportunity to retreat from noisy, high-energy environments. Quiet rooms, such as EventWell’s SensoryCalm Quiet Rooms, are becoming a staple at events to help attendees decompress and reset.…
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Living with ADHD; the daily struggles no one sees

Living with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is like being in a constant battle with your own mind. It’s a neurodivergence that often goes misunderstood, dismissed as simple laziness, or attributed to a lack of discipline. But for those of us who live with ADHD, the daily struggle is real and relentless. Here’s a glimpse…
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