What does it truly mean to be inclusive in event design? For me, it's personal. As someone who has dyslexia, I’ve experienced firsthand the differences in how my brain processes information compared to the ‘norm’ (if there even is a norm?), and how some environments have left me feeling a little isolated or disengaged as a result. 

Every environment we create as event professionals must be inclusive for every single person in attendance. It’s not just a moral imperative, but a commercial one—if some attendees can’t understand and engage with an event’s key messages, it’s a wasted opportunity. 

As an industry, we’re beginning to get this. We’re starting to consider the needs of neurodivergent individuals. But this is a broader issue than that. 

The truth is, we all learn best in different ways. And in a world where attention spans are shrinking faster than ever, we must present information in ways that engage, resonate, and leave a lasting impression. We need to think of an audience as a group of individuals, not as a faceless crowd. 

At EC, we want to craft everlasting experiences that linger long after an event ends. The secret is to tell stories that everyone can be immersed in, regardless of how they learn.

Designing for every learner

It’s commonly understood that most people fit within seven unique learning styles. That’s not new—it’s been a widely-known theory for decades. But we use these styles as a touchpoint when we craft experiences to ensure empathy and inclusivity stay front of mind throughout the design process. 

The seven styles of learning are: 

• Visual learners, who thrive on visuals like diagrams, videos, and vivid imagery.

• Auditory learners absorb information through sound, whether it’s a compelling speaker or a perfectly curated playlist.

• Reading and writing learners, who crystallise their understanding of content through words on a page. 

• Kinaesthetic learners, who learn best through hands-on experiences.

• Verbal/linguistic learners, who retain information by hearing and envisioning language.

• Social/interpersonal learners, who flourish in group settings.

• Solitary learners, who prefer independent exploration.

Most individuals don’t fit neatly into just one of these categories—they might learn best through a combination of styles. But by covering every angle, event professionals can deliver an experience that meets everyone’s needs. 

A holistic approach in action

Importantly, this isn’t just about considering how people learn when they’re sitting in a main plenary session in a conference setting. Inclusive event design means curating a 360-degree experience that resonates with attendees from the moment the invitation hits their inbox through to event day and beyond, hitting a blend of these learning styles throughout. That’s true regardless of event format. 

What does this look like in practice? Here are some examples addressing three of the seven learning styles:

• Visual learners can benefit from simulations, such as artistic installations, which break down topics or stories through visual cues. We helped London Business School to launch its ‘Forever Forward’ campaign by creating an immersive exhibition to raise support for its scholarship programme, for instance. The spectacle was complemented by a panel session and keynote from the university, ensuring the message was delivered. 
• Auditory learners can be catered to with curated playlists or podcasts to accompany them to and from an event, or with soundscapes that set the tone and ready their minds for concentration. One client of ours gathered 1,200 employees in the Bahamas for a 5-day summit of conversation and celebration to mark its 15^th anniversary, and of course, we transformed the event space into a content feast for the eyes. But sound was equally important. Each day had a bespoke audio soundscape and matching visuals, immersing the audience in the daily theme. 
• For kinaesthetic learners, hands-on workshops allow an audience to learn by doing, without the pressures of holding focus on a single track of activity. The ‘Changing Spaces’ exhibition we created with Habitat and DRUM is a great example. Taking place at the Design Museum to celebrate Habitat’s 60^th anniversary, one touchpoint showcased the hand painted Radica range. To illustrate the beauty of its hand-crafted designs, guests were asked to create their own pottery masterpiece with whiteboards, which were in the same iconic shapes as the collection. 

This holistic approach is critical. Over the past thirty years, we’ve seen an ongoing evolution in what audiences expect from events. As an industry, we have to evolve alongside those expectations and embrace those changing needs, offering integrated solutions to ensure every experience we create is inclusive, impactful, and unforgettable for every attendee.

Widen your perspective

We know that clients are thinking hard about how to hold people’s attention in today’s fast-paced world. But transitioning to this holistic and truly inclusive way of thinking is still a journey in progress. 

If people's attention spans are shorter, we must be cleverer about how we engage them in a memorable way. We must deliver experiences that resonate with each individual, respecting their unique learning style. 

Inclusivity isn’t just a box to tick—it’s a game-changer. To create impactful events, we need to make sure every attendee walks away feeling that the experience has been hand-crafted especially with them in mind. Every touchpoint is considered, to fully immerse them in the story of the event and create memories which live on long after the final guest leaves.