5 May 2023 (London, UK) Informa Markets recently hosted an all-colleague hybrid event IMX Live: All In, driven by colleague networks, as part of the diversity, equity and inclusion strategy led by Mike Sealy, Director of Diversity and Inclusion – Informa Markets.
Joining Informa Markets in 2019, Sealy served as Director of Customer Experience, before taking the role of Director of Diversity and Inclusion in 2021 and has since become the Chair of the Association of Event Organisers (AEO) Diversity & Inclusion Group. He is now focused on establishing Informa Markets’ global D&I vision and strategy, ensuring success in relation to colleagues, customers, content and communities.
IMX Live: All In was a day-long all-colleague event that wrapped around the IM Awards, Informa Markets’ colleague recognition awards, to celebrate the launch of a new category focused on excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I). The event was open to all 3,900+ Informa Markets colleagues who were able to participate virtually or in-person in London.
The event was a day of reflection, inspiration and celebration, featuring sessions such as Shining a Light on Lived Experiences, which focused on colleagues’ experiences of neurodiversity in the workplace, Cross-Generational Working discussing age inclusion across a multi-generational workforce, and When Private Matters become Public Debate: The Right to Marry, which explored the conversation of marriage in relation to the LGBTQIA+ community.
The event also saw Sealy set out the organisation’s focus areas for 2023:
- Reinvigorating the colleague-run networks, which included launching refreshed branding and a call for colleagues to join
- Launching a global High School Community Outreach Programme, which invites students from disadvantaged communities to connect with industry leaders at Informa Markets events to hear about their career journeys and to gain exposure to career paths
- A new certification in diversity, equity and inclusion available to all 3,900+ Informa Markets colleagues globally to enable a consistent baseline knowledge in DE&I and to further embed inclusive values into the organisation’s culture
- Diverse Voices on Stage – a programme that aims to promote diversity in speakers at exhibitions and events
Informa Markets is in the unique position to be able to harness the power of its brands to help the industries it serves accelerate sustainable development in their specialist markets. This is true for many content areas, including diversity, equity and inclusion where many brands have already launched initiatives, which were showcased at IMX Live: All In. Women in Nutraceuticals focuses on creating opportunities for women in the nutraceuticals industry – where Heather Granato, VP Partnerships & Sustainability at Informa Markets, currently serves as President. Elsewhere, Informa Markets Engineering piloted the high school community outreach programme in collaboration with The Diversity Org and Informa Markets Fashion launched the Fashion for Change Incubator Program, to support emerging design talent within the Black fashion community.
“I’m proud to take this step in our diversity and inclusion journey,” says Sealy. “There are so many ways I know Informa Markets can make a meaningful impact in this space. Whether it’s through creating a more diverse and equitable environment for our own 3,900+ colleagues – or through harnessing the power of our 450+ events and brands that bring together global industries and supply chains. I’m proud that we’ve announced this year’s areas of focus at our first all-colleague event focused on DE&I and I look forward to working with our talented colleagues around the world to bring them to life in 2023.”
ABOUT INFORMA MARKETS:
Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 450 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, and many more. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organiser, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.
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Image: Headshot of Mike Sealy, Director of Diversity & Inclusion – Informa Markets
Image: IMX Live: All In logo
Video: Showreel from IMX Live: All In event
