Marriott International has announced its commitment to incorporate neuroinclusive practices at Marriott-hosted events of 250 people or more globally.
This commitment is a result of joining forces with The Neu Project, an initiative from Google’s Experience Institute (Xi) that aims to share resources designed to better accommodate and create a more inclusive experience during meetings and events for neurodivergent attendees.
Ramesh Daryanani, vice president global sales, loyalty operations & partnerships at Marriott International, told TTGmice: “We are committed to providing a more inclusive experience for all meeting attendees. In November 2023, we became the first hospitality company to introduce neuroinclusive practices at events of 250 people or more, globally.”
Neuroinclusive practices include providing real-time subtitles and captions during main stage events and conference presentations.
Delegates will also have access to a Quiet Room, a dedicated space at Marriott customer events for recovery from sensory overwhelm, restoration and regulation. It will serve as a calming retreat where guests can break from the event to manage fatigue, overload and/or sensory needs.
At registration, event attendees will also have the opportunity to request various tools to better accommodate their needs, including sensory & fidget toys, noise-cancelling ear plugs, sleep masks, etc.
Marriott will further its neuroinclusion efforts by conducting active listening sessions with the community through conversations with The Neu Project and people who are neurodivergent, which will help shape future content.
“The Neu Project was born out of a desire to rethink event experiences post-pandemic, and has since grown into a major initiative that is driving change at events across industries,“ said Megan Henshall, global events strategy at Google.
“Marriott understands that creating environments where differing perspectives and experiences can come together boosts creativity, and we have witnessed their passion for increasing inclusivity at meetings and events. We’re excited to continue working with them as we strive to create more inclusive experiences with and for the neurodivergent community.”
Approximately 15 to 20 per cent of the world’s population has neuro differences, including ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism, dyslexia, epilepsy, and Tourette Syndrome. In 2022, the Google Experience Institute launched The Neu Project in order to demystify and educate event professionals on the design of more neuroinclusive experiences through a helpful guide and checklist.
