Read Article

We had a fantastic time at "Creating Accessible Events & Experiences," an evening centered on making sure everyone can enjoy and participate in functions, from large scale spectator events to meetings and gatherings. Held at the beautiful 1899 Grove event space in Woodland Park Zoo, the occasion was all about learning and listening. 

The night kicked off with a fun and unique start: networking with penguins! Attendees enjoyed drinks and snacks while getting the chance to meet the zoo’s penguin residents, thanks to our generous host. It was a great way to break the ice (pun intended) before diving into thoughtful conversations around accessibility and inclusion. We especially appreciated the “Keeper Talk,” which gave everyone a little more insight into the zoo’s work and mission.

To open the roundtable discussions, we were fortunate to have remarks from Andrea Ramirez, WPZ's Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion. Drea shared the many efforts being made at the zoo through their multi-year DEAI Plan. During conversations with their tablemates, guests learned and shared ways to use assets like event registration, technology, and physical space design to make sure everyone, from guests to employees, feels like they belong. Special thanks to table leaders, Amy Swisher (Seattle Seahawks), Madi Johnson (PROVAIL), Jackie Wade (TPN), Karen Wilkins-Mickey (Seattle Seahawks), Jenny and Morgaine McFarland (Woodland Park Zoo). 

We’re excited to see how these conversations will influence future events, and we hope everyone left with some great ideas to implement in their own work. To further the learning, we've included some links and resources below!