Discover the top events that champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), and learn how you can support and amplify these important voices.
It’s more important than ever for DE&I to hit every corner of your event strategy — from choosing diverse vendors and partners to building an inclusive speaker lineup. In fact, it’s important that your speaker lineup is diverse and reflective of the audience you aim to attract. For example, Bizzabo research found that just 33% of event speakers in 2019 were female, and EventMB found that 35-40% of events don’t have a single Black speaker.
Luckily, there are events that prioritize choosing a diverse speaker lineup, working with a variety of vendors and partners, and putting inclusion center stage at every event. Here are just some of the top DE&I-driven events this year. If you'd like to see yours on this list, submit it here.
1.#PrideSummit
Event Date: June 12-16, 2023 (Virtual) + In-person events throughout the month
Location: Virtual and In-Person
More Info: https://lesbianswhotech.org/sanfrancisco2023/sanfrancisco2023/sanfrancisco2023/pridesummit2023/
Over five days in June, #PrideSummit offers the ultimate hybrid experience, with a virtual option alongside satellite in-person events throughout the month — from New York City to Chicago to Portland. But the best part about this event from Lesbians Who Tech, is that it champions diversity, equity, and inclusion.
On the one hand, #PrideSummit welcomes individuals of all identities, including allies, and has featured inspiring personalities, including Stacey Abrams, Kara Swisher, Megan Rapinoe, Kamala Harris, and more. On the other hand, #PrideSummit has created an event model that lets attendees choose the format they are most comfortable with, which is a powerful motivator.
Why Attend: On the one hand, #PrideSummit welcomes individuals of all identities, including allies, and has featured inspiring personalities, including Stacey Abrams, Kara Swisher, Megan Rapinoe, Kamala Harris, and more. On the other hand, #PrideSummit has created an event model that lets attendees choose the format they are most comfortable with, which is a powerful motivator.
2. Disability:IN Virtual Conference
Event Date: July 10-12, 2023
Format: Virtual and In-Person (Orlando, FL)
Register: https://disabilityin.org/2023conference/
Disability:IN is the global corporate disability inclusion event of the year and features more than 3,000 attendees, 250 speakers, and representatives from more than 50 countries. The conference features numerous tracks, including the following:
- Digital Accessibility
- ERG/BRG (Employee Resource Group/Business Resource Group)
- ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) Investing
- Inclusive Marketing & Communications
- NextGen
- Supplier Diversity
- Workplace
Why Attend: Past events have featured blockbuster speakers, including Jenny Lay-Flurrie (Chief Accessibility Officer, Microsoft), Manisha Mehrotra (Head of Diversity & Inclusion EMEA, Bloomberg), Julie Sweet (CEO, Accenture), and more. If you’re struggling to make the case to leadership on why you should attend, Disability:IN has put together a great resource to pass along (find it on the event homepage!).
3. NAAAP Leadership Convention
Event Date: August 24-26, 2023
Location: Boston, MA
Register: https://www.leadershipconvention.org
The National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) will celebrate its 41st anniversary this year. With more than 25,000 members, NAAAP’s goal is to keep professionals of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and ages engaged through educational and social networking opportunities. Featuring over 700+ rising and established leaders, speakers, and visionaries, the convention comprises three days of educational and inspirational workshops in addition to social networking opportunities.
Why Attend: NAAAP’s three-day convention stands apart from other conventions by creating a personalized experience and building a long-term community that champions the role of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as core values in every organization and community.
4. SYNChronicity National Conference
Event Date: TBD
Location: New York City
More Info: https://sync2022.org
SYNChronicity is a one-of-a-kind event organized by HealthHIV, HealthHCV, and the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health that connects 2,500+ dynamic healthcare and public health professionals to explore topics of HIV, hepatitis C (HCV), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), LGBTQ+ health, and equitable health solutions.
Why Attend: SYNChronicity features plenary sessions, multi-disciplinary institutes, track sessions, motivational videos, networking opportunities, and more — including free continuing education opportunities.
5. SHRM Inclusion
Event Date: October 30-November 1, 2023
Location: Virtual and In-Person (Savannah, GA)
At SHRM INCLUSION 2023, you'll acquire the essential tools, best practices, and actionable solutions necessary to cultivate a workplace culture that is positive, inclusive, and innovative. This dynamic event equips you with the knowledge and strategies to enhance employee satisfaction while also driving positive financial outcomes and empowering individuals to unleash their full potential.
INCLUSION 2023 provides practical applications that broaden your perspectives, foster inclusivity, and heighten your cultural awareness, enabling you to become an even more effective champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Why Attend: As the country grapples with issues around social and racial justice, having an open, collaborative dialogue about how to tackle these issues in the workplace has never been more necessary for leaders who want to build diverse, high-performing teams. You’ll get guidance on how to boost employee happiness, engagement, and retention.
6. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference
Event Date: June 8-9, 2023
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Register: https://www.conference-board.org/events/diversity
The 26th Annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference from The Conference Board serves as a platform for DE&I leaders to share their work and discuss topics around race, social justice, neurodiversity, women's health, disability, allyship, and more.
The conference features diverse speakers, including industry leaders, experts, and thought influencers. These speakers share their expertise and experiences through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions. They cover a wide range of topics related to DEI, such as unconscious bias, leadership diversity, creating inclusive cultures, and measuring the impact of diversity initiatives.
The conference offers attendees the opportunity to learn from successful case studies, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and gain practical tools and techniques to enhance DEI efforts in their organizations. Participants can network with peers, exchange ideas, and build connections with professionals passionate about advancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Why Attend: Proceeds from the event support The Conference Board’s nonprofit mission. Additionally, the event’s sessions present an invaluable opportunity to have difficult conversations that many leaders may not yet feel comfortable participating in within their organizations. This is just one way they can get more comfortable and prepare for these discussions.
7. Women Lead Festival 2023
Event Date: October 5-6, 2023
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Register: https://www.conference-board.org/events/women
Another event from The Conference Board, Women Lead aims to address the unique challenges faced by women in the workplace and provide valuable insights and strategies to support their career growth and success.
The women's conference features a range of speakers, including accomplished women leaders, industry experts, and thought influencers. These speakers share their experiences, expertise, and best practices through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions. The conference covers various topics such as leadership development, work-life integration, gender equity, and mentorship, providing attendees with practical tools and knowledge to navigate their professional journeys.
The event offers networking opportunities for participants to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and build supportive relationships. It creates a space for women to learn from each other's experiences, gain inspiration, and empower others to pursue leadership roles and career advancement.
Why Attend: This year’s event is back in-person for the first time in a few years and features special leadership and allyship workshops, networking activities, book and movie club sessions, special receptions, and so much more.
8. The Inclusion Festival
Event Date: October 2-6, 2023
Location: Virtual
Register: https://www.inclusionevent.com
INCLUSION 2023 is a five-day virtual conference festival for all invested in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. The 4th annual edition of this online event features contributions from more than 85 DE&I experts worldwide. With interactive panel discussions, presentations, workshops, and networking sessions on DE&I in the workplace, you’ll gain insights, tools, and resources to implement DE&I within your organization.
Why Attend: Meet with thousands of HR, leadership and development, and DE&I professionals — from Walmart, Pfizer, Nestle, JLR, Warner Bros, and many more — to gain practical strategies for bringing about lasting change at your business. You’ll get 35+ hours of content and 40+ case studies and panels, ensuring you walk away with enough content to keep you inspired until the next event.
Prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Events This Year
If you want to engage in meaningful conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion, the conferences and events listed above offer compelling content and the opportunity to interact with industry professionals and leading experts focused on advancing this goal.
The insights, connections, and networking opportunities these events offer will benefit industry professionals who want to access the knowledge they can use to improve their organizations and be better at their jobs, and event marketers looking for examples to mimic for their own virtual events.
