Most event organisers aren’t trying to exclude people. But when it comes to neurodivergent attendees, that’s exactly what’s happening – unless you're planning with inclusion in mind from the very beginning.

In this episode, Clare chats with Andy Williamson, founder of Welcome Brain, about what a neuro-inclusive event actually looks like (and what it doesn’t). They talk about why making your event accessible for different types of brains isn’t just ethical – it’s practical. It increases your potential audience, boosts attendee satisfaction, and doesn’t have to blow the budget.

Expect honest chat about small changes that make a big difference, why slapping a coloured lanyard on someone isn’t the solution, and how asking for advice (instead of feedback) can go a long way.

What we cover:

– Why “we’ve never had any neurodivergent attendees” is a self-fulfilling prophecy

– The 3-tier checklist that helps you plan better events (even if your budget is zero)

– What not to do when trying to be inclusive (hint: don’t out people with a lanyard)

– How filming a 15-minute “how to get here” video makes a surprising difference

– The real reason your event space might feel like a battery farm

– Why including people is, funnily enough, the essence of inclusion

– How small acts of empathy boost connection and attendee loyalty

Chapters:

00:00 – What we mean by neuro-inclusion

02:19 – Andy’s background & why Welcome Brain exists

04:04 – Personalising events for how adults actually work

05:17 – 85% of neurodivergent people are skipping your event – here’s why

08:30 – It’s not just ‘them’ – most of us benefit from more human events

09:27 – Good intentions that go wrong

11:34 – Personalisation, empathy, and how the checklist works

13:09 – Ask your attendees: how can we make this better?

14:09 – Why lived experience matters in the planning team

15:25 – The disability comparison: visible vs invisible needs

16:43 – No-budget options: start with the Silver tier

18:15 – Tackling scepticism and “we’ve never had anyone ask…”

20:08 – Rethinking networking and connection

21:56 – Breaking away from warehouse layouts and long-term venue contracts

23:16 – Why the events industry is actually well placed to lead on this

25:33 – Final thoughts: the small things really do matter

Find out more:

🧩 The free neuroinclusion checklist: welcomebrain.com

📧 Contact Andy: andy@welcomebrain.com

mentioned eventwell https://eventwell.org/

Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE

Connect with Clare:

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Why do so many B2B panels fall flat? Why do keynote sessions sometimes miss the mark—despite having great speakers? And why is no one quite sure who’s in charge on stage?

In this episode, Clare Forestier is joined by Richard John—COO of Realize and co-author of the new white paper Behind the Mic: A Definitive Guide to On-Stage Roles at Events.

Together, they tackle one of the biggest problems in B2B events: role confusion. From misused moderators to misplaced MCs, we discuss why assuming any good speaker can fill any on-stage role is a costly mistake—and how organisers can stop making it.

Expect:

Some gentle ranting (well, Richard is involved)

A breakdown of key on-stage roles and their unique competencies

Practical tips to match the right talent to the right format

And an honest look at why getting this right transforms audience experience

Whether you’re an organiser, speaker, or simply someone who's sat through one-too-many awkward panels, this one’s for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

Behind the Mic: A Definitive Guide to On-Stage Roles at Events

Realize agency – https://realize.me.uk

Clare’s work as a B2B event MC, moderator and podcast host

Elling Hamso and the Event ROI Institute https://eventroi.org/about-us/

Guest Bio:

Richard John is COO of Realize and an events industry veteran with decades of experience training exhibitors, developing speaker talent, and coaching organisers. He’s known for his blunt honesty, his passion for better event design—and his relentless love of a bad dad joke.

Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE

Connect with Clare:

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Swag isn’t the enemy — badly thought-out swag is.

In this short but punchy episode, Clare Forestier asks event organisers to rethink their approach to giveaways. Instead of cluttering up attendees’ lives (and landfills) with throwaway items, what if we used swag to enhance the attendee experience and leave a meaningful impression?

Tune in for a fresh perspective on how to make your event giveaways memorable for the right reasons.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why swag isn’t inherently a problem — bad swag is.
• How to flip your mindset and use swag to deepen attendee engagement.
• A simple test to decide whether your giveaway will be a hit or a miss.

Perfect For:

Event planners, exhibition organisers, marketing teams, and anyone tired of handing out (or receiving) useless tat.

check out the other ideas in the comments on my original post here: https://bit.ly/ClareForestierSwagLinkedIn

check out what CrowdComms are up to here: https://www.crowdcomms.com/

Ready to dive deeper? Download your free guide, five ways to elevate your attendee experience without breaking the bank HERE

Connect with Clare:

WEBSITE

LINKEDIN

YOUTUBE