While 15 to 20 % of the world's population have neurological differences - autism, dyslexia, epilepsy, ADHD and other OCD - according to the US National Cancer Institute, Marriott integrates neurodivergence into its meetings & events offering. The Neu Project, launched in 2022 by the Google Experience Institute (XI) to educate event professionals on how to design experiences that are more neurologically inclusive, highlights a problem that affects a significant proportion of the working population.
" The Neu Project was born out of a desire to rethink event experiences in the wake of the pandemic, and has since developed into a major initiative that is leading to changes in events in all sectors" said Megan Henshall, head of global events strategy at Google. In this context, The Exchange conference, organised at the end of November at the JW Marriott Desert Springs by the American group, is the first to incorporate neuro-inclusive practices.
Among these, Marriott offers participants the opportunity to ask, as soon as you register for the eventIn addition to printed agendas and venue maps, information will be provided about the loud music, flashing lights and surprising moments planned for the event. As well as printed agendas and maps of the venues, information will be provided about the loud music, flashing lights or surprising moments planned during the event.
During the main stage presentations, subtitles and real-time subtitles will be available on screen. In addition, participants will find a soothing rest room where they can regulate themselves, eat and get away from the event for a while, whether to manage their fatigue or recover from a sensory shock. A rest room that Marriott presented to the events world at the IMEX America trade show in Las Vegas last October.
These neuro-inclusive practices will henceforth be integrated into meetings and events organised in Marriott hotels for professional meetings of 250 people or more. " Marriott strives to make meetings and events more accessible to all" said Drew Pinto, Executive VP of Technology at Marriott International. To take this a step further and develop future content, in 2024 the American group will continue to listen to the needs of neurodivergent people in partnership with the Neu Project.
" We are delighted to continue working with them as we strive to create more inclusive experiences with and for the neurodivergent community." explained Drew Pinto, while his group is simultaneously working on improve accessibility for people with reduced mobility meetings and events, in particular through its partnership with Disability:IN.
