GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Event Industry Statistics

Most event professionals value diversity, but few prioritize or implement it effectively.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Accessibility features are included in 40% of new event venues

Statistic 2

49% of event professionals believe that digital accessibility improvements are crucial for DEI

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58% of event venues have implemented training on accessibility and inclusivity

Statistic 4

65% of event planners say that their clients are increasingly requesting more diverse and inclusive event experiences

Statistic 5

70% of event attendees prefer events that feature diverse speakers and panels

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Only 22% of event marketing budgets are allocated to diversity and inclusion initiatives

Statistic 7

40% of event professionals believe that inclusivity improves attendee engagement

Statistic 8

68% of event attendees say they are more likely to attend events that actively promote inclusivity

Statistic 9

73% of event professionals agree that diverse event content attracts a wider audience

Statistic 10

58% of event attendees want to see more multicultural content and speakers

Statistic 11

49% of event attendees have experienced a lack of inclusivity at events, leading to decreased satisfaction

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57% of event attendees feel they are more engaged at inclusive events

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42% of event professionals believe that diversity metrics should be integrated into event evaluation

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72% of event professionals opine that diversity enhances creativity and innovation

Statistic 15

80% of corporate event planners say diversity influences their choice of partners and vendors

Statistic 16

62% of event organizers think more diverse panels improve discussions

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Only 30% of event industry leaders believe their organization is fully inclusive

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76% of event professionals agree that inclusive marketing attracts more diverse attendees

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78% of event professionals believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to creating successful events

Statistic 20

48% of event planners believe that inclusive language is not sufficiently prioritized in event communications

Statistic 21

80% of organizations say that diversity and inclusion are a top priority for their event strategies

Statistic 22

50% of event suppliers are actively seeking partnerships with minority-owned businesses

Statistic 23

49% of event attendees report that they noticed efforts to include diverse voices, increasing their satisfaction

Statistic 24

40% of event organizers prioritize DEI in their event planning process

Statistic 25

37% of small event companies have formal DEI policies, compared to 55% of large organizations

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Only 27% of event industry professionals report having a diverse team

Statistic 27

Women hold approximately 45% of event planning roles, but only 20% of executive leadership positions

Statistic 28

52% of minority event professionals feel that their race or ethnicity negatively impacts their career advancement

Statistic 29

Companies with greater diversity are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially

Statistic 30

60% of minority professionals in the event industry have experienced bias or discrimination

Statistic 31

Only 15% of event industry vendors are from minority-owned businesses

Statistic 32

45% of LGBTQ+ attendees report feeling underrepresented at events

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Female-led event initiatives saw a 25% increase in participation during 2022

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25% of event professionals report that their organizations track diversity metrics

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35% of organizations have dedicated DEI roles within their event teams

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84% of event organizers agree that training on diversity and inclusion improves event quality

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55% of event companies have implemented DEI policies in the last year, compared to 32% the previous year

Statistic 38

63% of event professionals agree that DEI initiatives increase staff morale and productivity

Statistic 39

67% of event organizers report that training on cultural competency improved their event inclusivity

Statistic 40

85% of industry leaders see value in ongoing DEI training programs

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Key Highlights

78% of event professionals believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to creating successful events
Only 27% of event industry professionals report having a diverse team
65% of event planners say that their clients are increasingly requesting more diverse and inclusive event experiences
Women hold approximately 45% of event planning roles, but only 20% of executive leadership positions
52% of minority event professionals feel that their race or ethnicity negatively impacts their career advancement
Companies with greater diversity are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially
70% of event attendees prefer events that feature diverse speakers and panels
Only 22% of event marketing budgets are allocated to diversity and inclusion initiatives
40% of event professionals believe that inclusivity improves attendee engagement
60% of minority professionals in the event industry have experienced bias or discrimination
84% of event organizers agree that training on diversity and inclusion improves event quality
55% of event companies have implemented DEI policies in the last year, compared to 32% the previous year
68% of event attendees say they are more likely to attend events that actively promote inclusivity

Despite 78% of event professionals recognizing that diversity and inclusion are essential to successful events, only a quarter report having diverse teams, highlighting a significant gap between values and action in the rapidly evolving event industry.

Accessibility and Specialized Features

Accessibility features are included in 40% of new event venues
49% of event professionals believe that digital accessibility improvements are crucial for DEI
58% of event venues have implemented training on accessibility and inclusivity

Accessibility and Specialized Features Interpretation

While nearly half of event venues are embracing accessibility features, the ongoing push for digital inclusivity underscores that true diversity in the event industry still requires much more than just physical accommodations.

Attendee Preferences and Engagement

65% of event planners say that their clients are increasingly requesting more diverse and inclusive event experiences
70% of event attendees prefer events that feature diverse speakers and panels
Only 22% of event marketing budgets are allocated to diversity and inclusion initiatives
40% of event professionals believe that inclusivity improves attendee engagement
68% of event attendees say they are more likely to attend events that actively promote inclusivity
73% of event professionals agree that diverse event content attracts a wider audience
58% of event attendees want to see more multicultural content and speakers
49% of event attendees have experienced a lack of inclusivity at events, leading to decreased satisfaction
57% of event attendees feel they are more engaged at inclusive events
42% of event professionals believe that diversity metrics should be integrated into event evaluation

Attendee Preferences and Engagement Interpretation

Despite overwhelming attendee support and professional consensus that inclusivity boosts engagement and broadens audiences, only a fraction of event budgets directly invest in diversity initiatives, highlighting a critical disconnect between intent and resource allocation in the event industry.

Diversity

72% of event professionals opine that diversity enhances creativity and innovation
80% of corporate event planners say diversity influences their choice of partners and vendors
62% of event organizers think more diverse panels improve discussions

Diversity Interpretation

These statistics reveal that embracing diversity in the event industry isn't just politically correct—it's the secret sauce for creativity, smarter partnerships, and more engaging discussions.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Attitudes and Policies

Only 30% of event industry leaders believe their organization is fully inclusive
76% of event professionals agree that inclusive marketing attracts more diverse attendees

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Attitudes and Policies Interpretation

Despite only 30% of event leaders feeling their organizations are fully inclusive, the fact that 76% of professionals believe inclusive marketing boosts diverse attendance suggests that the industry is quietly but increasingly betting on inclusion as its secret weapon for growth.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Attitudes and Policies in the Event Industry

78% of event professionals believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to creating successful events
48% of event planners believe that inclusive language is not sufficiently prioritized in event communications
80% of organizations say that diversity and inclusion are a top priority for their event strategies
50% of event suppliers are actively seeking partnerships with minority-owned businesses
49% of event attendees report that they noticed efforts to include diverse voices, increasing their satisfaction
40% of event organizers prioritize DEI in their event planning process
37% of small event companies have formal DEI policies, compared to 55% of large organizations

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Attitudes and Policies in the Event Industry Interpretation

While a remarkable 80% of organizations view diversity and inclusion as pivotal to event success, the stark gap between recognition and implementation — with only half of event suppliers seeking minority partnerships and less than half of organizers formalizing DEI policies — underscores that in the event industry, genuine progress hinges on transforming good intentions into actionable inclusion strategies.

Representation and Workforce Diversity

Only 27% of event industry professionals report having a diverse team
Women hold approximately 45% of event planning roles, but only 20% of executive leadership positions
52% of minority event professionals feel that their race or ethnicity negatively impacts their career advancement
Companies with greater diversity are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially
60% of minority professionals in the event industry have experienced bias or discrimination
Only 15% of event industry vendors are from minority-owned businesses
45% of LGBTQ+ attendees report feeling underrepresented at events
Female-led event initiatives saw a 25% increase in participation during 2022
25% of event professionals report that their organizations track diversity metrics
35% of organizations have dedicated DEI roles within their event teams

Representation and Workforce Diversity Interpretation

Despite the stark reality that only a quarter of event industry professionals work in truly diverse teams, companies embracing DEI strategies—bolstered by the fact that diverse organizations are 35% more profitable—must accelerate efforts to break down barriers, elevate underrepresented voices, and ensure equity is not just an aspirational goal but a tangible standard across the industry.

Training, Education, and Organizational Initiatives

84% of event organizers agree that training on diversity and inclusion improves event quality
55% of event companies have implemented DEI policies in the last year, compared to 32% the previous year
63% of event professionals agree that DEI initiatives increase staff morale and productivity
67% of event organizers report that training on cultural competency improved their event inclusivity
85% of industry leaders see value in ongoing DEI training programs

Training, Education, and Organizational Initiatives Interpretation

With 84% of organizers acknowledging that diversity and inclusion training enhances event quality and 85% endorsing ongoing DEI initiatives, it's clear that the event industry is finally realizing that embracing inclusion isn’t just a moral choice, but a strategic one that boosts morale, productivity, and overall success.