LONDON-Information is known for its internal DEI initiatives led by Mike Sealy, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. These include its recentIMX Live The event, which was open to over 3,900 Informa Markets colleagues, was attended virtually or in person in London. Highlights included innovative educational sessions, such as one showcasing colleagues’ experiences of neurodiversity in the workplace.
But many of Sealy’s DEI goals for 2023 extend beyond the company and into Informa’s industries. Among its shows, many brands have launched DEI initiatives. Women in the nutraceutical sector, for their part,focuses on creating opportunities for women in the nutraceutical industry. Informa Markets Fashion has launched theFashion for Change incubation program to support emerging design talent within the Black fashion community.
Sealy is also tackling the lack of diversity among speakers at business events through the new Diverse Voices on Stage initiative, of which he is extremely proud.
Related. A candid Q&A on DEI in the trade show industry with Jason Dunn Sr., Executive Director of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals.
“This program not only challenges traditional beliefs about success, but also provides a space for dynamic and diverse representation,” he said. “By giving voice to diverse perspectives, we are paving the way for a new wave of talent, experiences and backgrounds. It’s like a melting pot of expertise and value, showing that greatness knows no bounds and can come from anyone, anywhere.”
The program representatives are Informa reaches out to networks that promote diversity in the industries it serves, asking them to bring in thought leaders. It also runs a survey after each event, in which speakers have the opportunity to provide demographic information. “You can’t manage what you don’t measure, and we want to make sure that we’re not just making an effort to diversify our thought leaders, but that we’re actually tracking and improving the diversity of our speakers,” Sealy said.
“We recognize that representation plays a crucial role in promoting inclusion and that promoting diverse perspectives will create an enriching experience for all participants. We can’t truly serve our audience if we don’t represent them. That’s really what the program is about: making sure that a wide range of voices and backgrounds are represented on stage, reflecting the diversity of our audience.”
Contact Mike Sealy at mike.sealy@informa.com