International Women’s Day asks us to imagine a world that is ‘diverse, equitable and inclusive’. A world where everyone has equal opportunities. This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction is a call to push forward impactful change.
So, what needs to change in the world of events?
Just last week I was faced with the reality of the need for a change I have called for time and again; support and understanding for working parents - both those attending and those organising events as they face the logistical and emotional challenge of returning to work or being a working parent.
We often hear about “mum guilt,” but the reality is that it’s “parent guilt.” Whether it’s missing bedtime stories, missing bath time or, for the teens in their life, worrying about how a child is coping in their absence, many parents experience the weight of guilt. When combined with anxiety, something that affects 1 in 10 people in the UK, the pressure can make it nearly impossible to focus, especially in high-intensity environments like conferences and trade shows.
At The Event Production Show I spoke on a panel about the challenge of juggling parenthood and a career in the events industry alongside some brilliant speakers. After the session, an attendee approached me to share her story. She had recently returned to work and was struggling with the reality of being away from her baby for long hours. She told me that attending an event and knowing she would be out for at least ten hours each day had ultimately led her to stop breastfeeding. This was a decision she hadn’t wanted to make but felt she had no choice.
While it’s encouraging to see venues like Excel, where EPS was held, introducing dedicated breastfeeding rooms and actually seeing a baby in the aisles of co-located show, Confex International which led to overwhelming support on LinkedIn, this alone isn’t enough. Parents need real solutions that allow them to be fully present at work and at events without sacrificing their ability to care for their children.
Anyone who has experienced anxiety knows how it can cloud your thoughts, making it difficult to engage or concentrate. For parents attending events, the stress of wondering if their child is okay, whether childcare arrangements are holding up, whether public transport is running ok or how they’ll manage pick-up logistics can mean they aren’t truly present.
This is where onsite childcare solutions make a real difference. Knowing their child is nearby, included and well looked after allows parents to focus on the event. Of course, at-event childcare also helps children suffering from anxiety but that's a whole other blog post!
Some of our clients are simply brilliant at recognising this need. Medical conferences are strides ahead in providing at-show facilities, exhibitions like ShopTalk Europe have made childcare standard and associations like NASUWT have been doing so as far back as the 90s!
It’s why some forward-thinking organisers like Unison also provide crèche facilities for their own staff during the build-up and breakdown of events. They recognise and understand the need to support their teams as well as their attendees.
I say ‘some’, as childcare provision is sadly still an afterthought at the majority of events.
What if event childcare was a given rather than an afterthought? More parents could confidently attend industry events, network, learn and grow without the mental load of organising alternative childcare and without the parent guilt being of being away from their child.
Offering childcare at events isn’t just a convenience, it’s a way of creating inclusion. If we want to retain talent and ensure that both women and men can participate fully in professional opportunities, we need to remove barriers. Supporting parents benefits everyone, from attendees to exhibitors, speakers and organisers.
Returning to work after having a child is hard enough. Returning to the event world (whether to visit or organise) can create added stress if inaccessible to working parents.
As we celebrate #IWD25, let’s recognise that supporting parents means creating environments where they don’t have to choose between their careers and their children. If we want to #AccelerateAction we need events to acknowledge and accommodate working parents. Implementing childcare solutions at events is a step towards greater equality, reducing anxiety and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to attend.
