CHICAGO — Lynn Osmond, former President and CEO of Choose Chicago, partnered with Wheel the World and TravelAbility to advocate for accessible tourism strategies across the U.S.
Osmond will spearhead an accessibility initiative for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, using Wheel the World’s Destination Verified program and TravelAbility’s Accessibility Playbook to help ensure a seamless experience for all attendees.
Trade Show Executive (TSE) spoke with Lynn about her work and how events professionals can help make a difference — and got her checklist for accessible events.
ANDREW: What inspired this partnership?
LYNN: I left Choose Chicago at the end of January last year. My husband has had Parkinson’s since 2012, but at the end of 2023, he got diagnosed with a very aggressive cousin called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
I left to take care of him, but also to travel with him … We’ve done a year of bucket-list travel.
That’s really my inspiration — I have become an expert on traveling with somebody with a disability and I understand firsthand what it’s like for him to go through it, but also, as a caregiver, what I have to go through.
I believe very strongly that travel is something that needs to be accessible to all and changes lives.Just because you have a disability, you shouldn’t feel that you can’t travel.
ANDREW: What advice would you give to organizers who want to make their events more accessible?
LYNN: The best thing is to be prepared in advance.
What’s the questionnaire that you’re sending out to people to ask them what kind of disability they have and what their needs are?
Everybody’s different … The biggest thing is getting prepared, so there’s no surprises when the person gets on the ground. That’s really looking at how you manage expectations.
How are you greeting the guest on your website? How are you finding out their needs?
One of the things I’m enthusiastic about with TravelAbility is the fact that they have a Shark Tank for the new innovations that are happening in the disability field [The InnovateABLE pitchfest]. There are some new innovations that are coming out that will really help meeting planners.
Related. Choose Chicago Appoints Kristen Reynolds, CDME, as New President and CEO
ANDREW: What should organizers be thinking about when they are selecting event destinations?
LYNN: It is key to understand not just the venue itself, but the navigation. Where’s the person going to stay? How are they going to get there? How are they going to manage?
I can speak from personal experience with Las Vegas. I brought my husband to a conference there and they’re so vast, [and] so overwhelming, it’s hard to navigate.
A lot of it goes into staff training too.
Make sure the people on the ground are welcoming and can answer questions. You can’t take away the human touch. Make sure that your staff or volunteers are trained … [and know] where services are.
ANDREW: How can organizers work with exhibitors to drive success in this area?
LYNN: With shows, it’s not just getting to the bathroom and getting on the floor. It’s like, “If I get there, am I going to be able to see? What’s the height of the booth? How interactive are the various show things?”
Finding out in advance what your audience is and what their needs are will help.
Once you do that, you’re going to have to inform exhibitors — “We’ve done a survey, this is what the audience says they need and they want” — and either make them comply or make it very user-friendly for them to comply.
Find Osmond’s checklist for accessible events here:
Making Meetings More Accessible
Pre-Event Planning
- Accessibility Information
- Registration
- Venue Selection
Physical Accessibility
- Mobility Considerations
- Restrooms
- Parking and Transportation
- Emergency Procedures
Communication Accessibility
- Visual Accessibility
- Auditory Accessibility
- Accessible Presentations
Inclusive Programming
- Quiet Rooms
- Exhibit Areas
- Dietary Needs
- Schedule Considerations
Support Services
- Staff Training
- Mobility Aids
- Personal Care Assistants
- Service Animal Accommodations
- Medical Support
Technology and Virtual Accessibility
- Virtual Event Options
- Event App Features
Post-Event Support
- Feedback Mechanism
- Follow-Up
To learn more about optimizing your event for sustainability, email Lynn at losmond@wheeltheworld.com.
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