Business Events - the application of design and transforming access

Robertson, Martin; McLachie, Joan

Abstract

This work introduces and critically reviews the changing notion of social responsibility in the behaviour and actions of Business Event provision and its management. In particular, the work focuses on the development of inclusive practice in Business Event management. The work is significant not only for the simple reason that Disability in the context of Business Events has received very limited analysis, but, vitally, because an increased consideration of and provision for disability has received a global mandate. There are 11 explicit references to disability (and 9 in respect of global indicators) in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, Agenda 2030. The European Institute for Design and Disability defines design for all as ‘‘design for human diversity, social inclusion and equality’’ (EIDD, 2004, online). These policy drivers demonstrate the increasing emphasis on providing facilities and services which can be accessed and experienced by all members of a community (Persson, Åhman, Yngling & Gulliksen, 2015). As workplaces become more diverse, it stands to reason that participants at Business Events will also reflect that diversity. The work draws on data collected at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and its approach to inclusive practice, exploring the outcomes of two conferences held there in 2016.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: Atlas Business Tourism 2019 Special Interest Group Conference
• Start Date: May 9, 2019
• End Date: May 10, 2019
• Deposit Date: Aug 9, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 9, 2019
• Keywords: Business events, access, social inclusion, universal design,
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2039755