Category: Fundraising Guides

Creating a welcoming environment is essential when planning a successful event. When attendees feel seen, respected, and comfortable, they’re more likely to participate fully, return in the future, and spread the word. On the other hand, even small oversights in accessibility, communication, or atmosphere can leave people feeling excluded or unwelcome.

Whether you’re hosting a community gathering, a fundraiser, or an educational workshop, every element of your event sends a message. From the first email invitation to the moment someone walks through the door, you have countless opportunities to make that message one of inclusion and belonging.

Let’s explore key considerations for creating an event experience where everyone feels welcome. These tips will help you approach your planning with intention, so no matter who walks in, they’ll feel like they belong.

1. Understand Your Audience

Creating a welcoming event starts with understanding who you’re trying to reach. The more you know about your attendees, the better you can anticipate their needs, remove potential barriers, and foster an environment that feels inclusive from the start. Here’s how to get a better sense of how they operate:

• Identify your event’s intended attendees. Before you make decisions about programming, location, or outreach, define your audience. Are they primarily families, young adults, older adults, or a mix? Will people be attending with different physical abilities, cultural backgrounds, or language preferences?
• Gather feedback from past attendees. Direct feedback can highlight issues you may not have considered. Look at survey responses, talk to returning participants, and identify both the positive and negative experiences people had.
• Tailor communication accordingly. Once you know your audience, you can adjust how you communicate with them before, during, and after the event. Inclusive communication helps set expectations and makes attendees feel more confident and prepared.

Remember that your audience will change over time as your programming shifts and new trends become relevant. Build in time to assess your audience while planning every event to account for any new circumstances.

2. Choose an Accessible Venue

Ensuring that everyone can comfortably and confidently access the venue is essential for creating a welcoming space. Remember, accessibility isn’t just about physical infrastructure; it’s also about how easily attendees can navigate the space and feel supported once they arrive.

Keep these accessibility considerations in mind:

Physical Accessibility

Assess whether the venue accommodates people with mobility challenges. This includes features like:

• Step-free entrances
• Ramps and elevators
• Accessible restrooms
• Wide doorways and hallways
• Seating options for people with physical disabilities

If your venue falls short in any of these areas, work with the venue staff to find accommodations or adjustments. Also, don’t make assumptions about what your attendees need—poll your attendees as best you can so you can secure the resources they need the most.

Transportation and Parking Options

A venue may be technically accessible but still difficult for some people to reach. Ensure there are transportation options that make attending easier for everyone, like:

• Public transportation accessibility
• Clearly marked rideshare drop-off and pickup zones
• Ample parking spaces, including designated ADA spots
• Safe, well-lit pathways from transit or parking to the venue entrance

You can also consider offering transportation assistance or coordinating carpools if your audience includes people with limited travel options.

Signage

Once attendees arrive, they should be able to navigate the space easily and without confusion. Signage should be:

• Large, clear, and legible
• Placed at key decision points (entrances, restrooms, registration, exits)
• Inclusive of visuals and icons for non-native speakers or those with reading difficulties
• Available in multiple languages, if applicable to your audience
• Accessible to people with visual impairments with braille

If your event spans multiple rooms or areas, provide a simple map at check-in or display directional signs throughout the venue. Intuitive navigation contributes significantly to your attendees’ peace of mind.

3. Make the Registration and Check-In Process Seamless

The last thing you want is for an excited attendee to lose interest because of a frustrating or clunky registration process. Your registration process should accommodate a range of preferences and be simple from start to finish. Here’s how you can streamline your registration process:

• Provide numerous registration options. Providing more than one way to register (e.g., online through your event management software or in person at your office) makes your event more accessible and shows that you’re thinking about your audience’s diverse needs. Flexibility here removes unnecessary friction and ensures no one feels excluded simply because the process doesn’t work for them.
• Use friendly language and design. The way you present your registration forms, instructions, and signage matters. Keep your language clear, conversational, and easy to understand. Avoid using technical jargon or overly formal terms that might alienate attendees.
• Ensure clear navigation and site organization. Forms should be visually clean, intuitive to navigate, and easy to complete on both desktop and mobile devices. This attention to tone and usability helps build trust and confidence in your organization.
• Provide on-site support. Attendees should be greeted by friendly staff or volunteers who are clearly available to assist with any questions or issues. Check-in badge stations should be easy to find and laid out in a way that avoids long lines or congestion. If someone seems unsure or overwhelmed, staff should be ready to step in and help, whether that means explaining where to go next or offering support with accessibility needs.

Even if you accept physical registrations, you’ll probably manage most of your registrations online. To ensure digital accessibility, Fionta suggests following WCAG guidance, the gold standard for accessibility standards online.

4. Design Inclusive Programming

Inclusive programming goes beyond who’s speaking or what activities are planned. It reflects a mindset that values a range of experiences, perspectives, and participation styles. Ensure your programming speaks to different experiences, preferences, and communities by:

• Feature diverse speakers and perspectives. When attendees see people on stage or in leadership roles who reflect their own backgrounds or experiences, it builds connection and trust. It’s also an opportunity to expose your audience to new ideas and voices they may not have encountered before.
• Plan interactive and passive participation options. Not every attendee will engage in the same way. Some may thrive in group discussions or interactive workshops, while others prefer to listen, observe, or reflect. Offering a mix of activities gives people the freedom to participate at their comfort level. You might include breakout sessions, quiet learning zones, or creative expression opportunities to accommodate different energy levels and personality types.
• Be flexible with schedules. A tightly packed agenda can be overwhelming, especially for attendees who need more time to process information, move between spaces, or take care of personal needs. Build in regular breaks, offer optional sessions, and clearly communicate what’s required versus what’s flexible.

Thoughtful programming doesn’t require a huge budget or a complete overhaul of your agenda. It simply asks you to consider the diverse ways people learn, engage, and connect.

When it comes to making events welcoming, small changes can make a big impact, so start at the micro-level and work your way up. For instance, you might invest in event technology that can help you collaborate on event planning, ensuring you cover your bases when it comes to accessibility. Whatever you decide, just keep your attendees at the forefront of your efforts, and you can build a comprehensive event community.