Why We’re Relaunching QSSS™ — And Why the Events Industry Needs More Than Neuroinclusion

I founded EventWell® in 2017 to make a difference to an industry I love. An industry I’ve spent nearly three decades in. Next year marks 30 years working in events – and 10 years of EventWell. One decade of my career dedicated to changing how we think about wellbeing, accessibility, and inclusion in live environments.…

Designing for Brains, Not Just Access: Why Events Must Move Beyond Neuroinclusion to Neuro-Affirming

Events are, at their core, human experiences. They are built on connection. Conversation. Energy. Shared moments in time. Which means this: if people don’t feel safe to be in those spaces- really be – then the event isn’t working as well as we think it is. For years, the industry has been (rightly) talking about…

Quiet Rooms Don’t Fail Because of Bad Intentions. They Fail Because No One Is Managing Them.

There’s a persistent assumption in the events industry that once you’ve created a quiet room, the job is done. A calm space. Some soft lighting. Maybe a few beanbags, fidgets, or headphones. And that’s it. But here’s the reality: a quiet room without supervision doesn’t stay a quiet room for very long. Not because people…

Psychological Safety at Events: It’s Not a Vibe. It’s a Design Decision.

Psychological safety isn’t about being nice. It’s not about soft lighting.It’s not about a pastel lounge.It’s not about putting “be kind” on the lanyards. Psychological safety is about whether someone’s nervous system believes they are safe enough to: And for neurodivergent attendees? It’s the difference between attending – and not attending at all. At EventWell,…

Disabled Attendees Don’t Want Visibility. They Want Trust.

A disabled marketer shared something on LinkedIn this week that stopped me mid-scroll: Disabled consumers value authenticity, trust, and relevant lived experience over brand visibility. Yes.All of it. Yes. I was speaking to my business coach about it the same day (she’s neurodivergent too), and we both had that same reaction – the kind where…

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…

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…

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.…

The Cost of Exclusion: Why Event Organisers Should Prioritise Quiet Spaces for Neurodivergent Attendees

Creating an inclusive and welcoming environment at events is essential for accommodating the diverse needs of attendees, including neurodivergent individuals. However, some event organisers may cite budget constraints as a reason for not providing quiet spaces at their events. In this post, we explore why using budget as an excuse for excluding quiet spaces is…

Ensuring Inclusive Events: The Importance of Supervising Quiet Spaces for Neurodivergent Attendees and Vulnerable Adults

Creating inclusive and accessible events requires careful consideration of the diverse needs of attendees, including neurodivergent individuals and vulnerable adults. In line with the Care Act of 2014, event managers have a responsibility to provide a safe and supportive environment for all participants. This blog serves as a reminder of the importance of supervising quiet…

Designing Event Registration for Neuroinclusion

EventWell are here to provide event planners and organisers with valuable event design tips, and this week we would like to share advice on designing event registration forms that are inclusive and accessible for neurodivergent attendees. By considering their unique needs and preferences, you can create a more welcoming and inclusive registration process for all…

Planning Event Session and Keynote Length for Neuroinclusion

How long is too long? How long is too short? What is the perfect session length at an event? Today we wanted to share some valuable insight on planning session and keynote lengths to ensure a neuroinclusive experience for all attendees. By considering the diverse needs and attention spans of your audience, you can create…

The Impact of Events on Attendees with Tourette’s

Today, we want to discuss the impact of events on attendees with Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological condition characterised by involuntary movements and vocalisations called tics. Understanding this impact is crucial for event organisers to create inclusive and supportive environments. Let’s explore some key considerations: 1. Sensory Overload: Events can be overwhelming for individuals with Tourette’s…

The Benefits of Neuroinclusion at Events for Everyone

By creating inclusive and accessible environments, event organisers can enhance the experience for all attendees. Today, we want to highlight the numerous benefits that neuroinclusion at events brings to everyone involved, not just neurodivergent individuals. Let’s explore some of the key benefits: 1. Diversity and Representation: Neuroinclusion promotes diversity and representation at events. By actively…

10 Fantastic Reasons to make your Event Neuroinclusive

Are you planning an event and want to make it truly special? Well, we’ve got an amazing idea for you: make it neuroinclusive!  Here are 10 fantastic reasons why you should consider making your event neuroinclusive:  Celebrate diversity: By creating an inclusive environment, you’re embracing people of all abilities and backgrounds, fostering a sense of…

25 Reasons Event Organisers Should Provide a Quiet Room

Conferences and events are rich environments, full of opportunities to experience new things. But they are also rich in stimulation, and with the constant switched on nature they can be overwhelming, exhausting and triggering for many people. A quiet room is a space that an attendee can retreat to safely whenever they feel overwhelm or…

EventWell kicks off 2023 with an expansion of their EventWell Host team

EventWell, the charitable and community social enterprise, is kicking off the new year with an expansion in the team to coincide with a number of key strategic partnerships. To support these new contracts and growth in EventWell Hub and quiet room event bookings for 2023, including contracts with Media 10, Agiito and Twickenham Stadium, EventWell…