In the wake of the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) moved into the spotlight across organizations throughout 2020. For a time, it became a visible and vocal priority but in 2026, that intensity seems to have softened. There are fewer standalone initiatives and less explicit messaging coming out of organizations with some cancelling initiatives altogether. But for event professionals this presents an opportunity to continue the moment by evolving. Our focus in 2026 needs to be on ensuring DEI remains embedded in how events are planned and experienced, even if it’s no longer the top priority for our clients and leaders.
In order to evolve, it’s worth starting with the basics: what is DEI? At its foundation, diversity refers to representation, people with different backgrounds, identities, and perspectives. In events, this could be curating speaker lineups that reflect a range of voices, partnering with diverse-owned suppliers, or selecting destinations and experiences that showcase local culture authentically. Equity is about fairness and access, it’s ensuring barriers are removed so that all participants have equal opportunities. This might include offering tiered pricing, providing travel support, or choosing venues that are physically and financially accessible to a wider audience. Inclusion focuses on the experience itself, creating environments where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and able to participate regardless of their differences. Examples include building culturally aware programming, using inclusive language, offering dietary accommodations, and designing spaces that consider different needs and comfort levels.
This work is particularly important in an industry that historically has lacked diversity. Events are powerful platforms, they influence who is seen, who is heard, and who has access to opportunity. Without intentional DEI efforts, planners risk reinforcing existing gaps rather than expanding access and representation. Beyond the moral imperative, there is also a clear business case; inclusive events drive stronger engagement, broader audience reach, and more meaningful connections.
In 2026 the best event planners are adapting how they approach DEI in practical, strategic ways. Instead of isolating DEI into a single session or initiative they are weaving it throughout the event with inclusive design baked into the attendee journey, and representation reflected at every touchpoint. That’s not to say it’s without its challenges. Proving the value of DEI to clients and leaders can be difficult. Now more than ever planners are challenged with demonstrating solid ROI but for those in the know, there is a direct connection between DEI and ROI.
Event planners that prioritize DEI see higher attendee satisfaction scores, increased engagement, stronger brand perception, and expanded market reach making DEI easier to defend in budget conversations and leadership discussions. Finally, the best planners are being selective, not expansive about their DEI measures. They focus their efforts on a few high-impact actions rather than trying to do it all. This approach avoids performative efforts and ensures that what is actioned has meaningful impact.
There’s no right or wrong way to consider DEI throughout the planning lifecycle but by keeping it top of mind event professionals can build greater influence within their organizations. When DEI is aligned with business goals and attendee experience, it becomes a strategic advantage rather than a separate initiative. This not only protects it from future budget cuts but also positions the event professionals as forward-thinking leaders who understand both people and performance.
DEI doesn’t need to be loud to be effective, it just needs to be consistently and thoughtfully applied. The path forward is not about recreating the urgency of the past, but about sustaining its impact for the long term. In 2026 let’s focus on DEI that is intentional, authentic, and seamlessly integrated.
Lyndsay Munholland is an operations manager at Moniker Partners, an award-winning retreat planning agency. She is a seasoned event planning professional with more than 15 years of experience orchestrating meetings, retreats and corporate experiences for prominent North American businesses and associations. She is also an active volunteer with MPI Toronto where she currently serves as a committee chair.
