Ambassadors for Community
Event organizers and leaders in the hospitality industry have a voice with the potential to be heard by millions. In 2020, 9.3 billion hours of digital content was streamed, spawning a live streaming market worth over $70 billion by 2021. We create memorable experiences that teach and foster a sense of community. The power of our daily work can be used to apply inclusive and sustainable practices into our planned experiences, while aggressively addressing forms of injustice that people face every day.
Deadly air pollutant disproportionately affects Americans of color, regardless of their state or income level, according to a recent study. This directly impacts health, increases premature deaths, and accelerates the rise of temperatures. Individuals with less means are disproportionately impacted by more pollution, less access to clean water, and less resources to cope with the negative outcomes from climate change.
Climate change will cause communities to relocate, then causing economies, tourism, and cultures to drastically change. Rising sea levels, drought, extreme weather conditions, resource strain, and many other consequences will reduce the venues and locations where events can be held. This will further the gap between the "haves" and the "have nots", increasing poverty rates, income and health inequality, limiting access to education, technological advancement, and innovation.
Environmental justice goes beyond racial justice. Synergies must be present so that initiatives are supporting progress across poverty to education to reducing inequalities to zero waste to clean water.
The National Black Environmental Justice Network is a coalition to support transformative change for both equity and justice. Their overarching goal is to put an end to oppressive systemic processes that prevent everyone from having access to a standard quality of life. A system that works for everyone.
Based on my conversation with Tina Johnson, Director of NBEJN, I've listed ways hospitality leaders can make a difference today:
Demand that events and experiences include a diverse representation of speakers and attendees, support all knowledge levels and backgrounds, and prioritize respectful environments and accessibility standards.
Build a true relationship-based partnership with organizations that represent goals and ideas around inclusivity and equality. Check out some of the NBEJN members and be creative on ways to join forces.
Make calculated decisions about where events are hosted. Select local vendors that represent the same values as you and your attendees.
Prioritize dialogue with your vendors, clients, customers, and attendees. If empowerment is the intentional goal, then the core outcome is success. Go beyond transactional relationships to craft true experiences and unforgettable moments.
Embrace that we are members of an industry that has dedicated itself to be "of service." Leverage the ingrained foundation of being community leaders and ambassadors for growth and connectively. This is who we are.
Environmental justice affirms the fundamental right to political, economic, cultural, and environmental self-determination of all peoples. – Principle #5 of Environmental Justice
As event organizers, we must lead with a sense of empathy while respecting the connectivity of being a species living on a shared planet. Climate change and sustainable practices do not only impact the environment, but cause a ripple effect on culture, social equality, economic growth, and our overall capacity for adaption and innovation. It is our duty as event managers and leaders to prioritize these efforts so that we can collectively grow and innovate. The time is now and we know this space.
