DALLAS — Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are goals most organizations strive toward, but it can be difficult to translate ideas into actions. That’s why the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) is holding a webinar on Thursday, August 26 at 12 p.m. CDT on how trade show executives can do more to make DEI a reality throughout all levels of their organizations.
Moderated by Gabrielle Weiss, Vice President & Editor-in-Chief, Trade Show Executive Magazine, the webinar will feature panelists Dave Labuskes, CAE, CTA, RCDD, Chief Executive Officer, AVIXA and Shari Liss, Executive Director, SEMI Foundation telling their own DEI stories — including both how they developed and implemented their DEI programs, as well as how these efforts have helped them recruit and retain top talent and increase their brands’ value with their customers.
“I am honored to moderate this discussion on the vital topic with such high-caliber professionals,” said Weiss, whose magazine recently launched a DEI Task Force to help shape the publication’s coverage of DEI in the industry. “Dave and Shari will certainly bring a lot of experience and passion to the discussion. They both have been at this a long time and are sure to share a wealth of knowledge and immediate takeaways with the audience.”
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“I look forward to our discussion about how diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to reaching and exceeding business goals, and how DEI is a daily practice — not a checkbox — and is everyone’s responsibility,” Liss said. “I will share both high-level concepts to help companies frame this work, and a real-time tool that can be implemented today to create more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces.”
Labuskes added, “Talking about DE&I honestly and transparently isn’t easy at first — but most things that really matter aren’t. I’m excited to participate in this session, contribute some of what we’ve learned at AVIXA and engage more broadly with the event industry leadership in a united effort towards a better industry and better events.”
He also pointed out that working together for a more diverse, equitable and inclusive industry will lead to better events for everyone. “Attendance will grow. Creativity and innovation will be enhanced. Revenues and returns will be improved. And the world will be made a better place for all of us humans. What better subject to spend some time on?”
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Registration for the webinar, which is free for IAEE members and $49 for non-members, is available here, and to see list of upcoming IAEE webinars, click here:
Reach Gabrielle Weiss at (312) 493-7753 or gweiss@tradeshowexecutive.com; Shari Liss at sliss@semi.org; and David Labuskes at (703) 277-6748 or dlabuskes@avixa.org
