Bright Network Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging 2024 is taking place on Monday, 18th March. We're really looking forward to it and hope you are too! The leading employers joining us (including BDO, GMAC and Ocado) are excited to connect with our brilliant members and share their insights with you.
We know attending an event like this can be a bit nerve-wracking for some people, so we want to make sure we provide as much reassurance and guidance as possible to ensure the event is an enjoyable and safe place for everyone. To prepare for the event, we suggest taking a look at the resources below.
Resources:
- Accessibility and inclusion for in-person attendees - if you're attending in-person, look at this section to see what support is available (from reserved seating to speaking to a certified Mental Health First Aider).
- Accessibility and inclusion on Bizzabo (virtual event platform) - if you're attending virtually, look at this section to learn how to use Bizzabo and utilise the accessibility and inclusivity features.
- Guild - we have created an online community where you can meet other attendees before the event. Find out more about the community and how to use Guild here, then join the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging 2024 group via the links in the emails we've sent to you since you got a place at the event (try searching for "Your Application to Bright Network Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging 2024" in your inbox).
- Networking top tips and etiquette - here are some key Dos and Don'ts for networking and access extra resources to feel confident in your networking abilities before the event.
Advice for members attending in person
Venue
Accessing the venue
This year’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging event is taking place at etc.venues Bishopsgate. From the street, there is an accessible entrance using the Primrose Street ramp, leading into Exchange Walkway. There is a lift to the venue entrance on Broadgate Walkway.
For more information about the venue’s accessibility, take a look at etc.venues’ useful accessibility page.
If you require any other accessibility support at the venue, please let us know.
You can find directions from London Liverpool street (the nearest station) here. However, step-free access is dependent on the tube line you're travelling on. The closest step-free station is Moorgate (Northern/Hammersmith & City/Circle/Metropolitan lines).
Using the prayer room
If you require a prayer room during the event, please speak to the Bright Network team at reception and they can direct you to the dedicated space. Signage will also be up around the venue, so please feel free to use the space as required.
Additionally, as this event is taking place during Ramadan, there will be quiet spaces available during lunch time if this would be preferable.
Mental health support
If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed at the event - either because of anxiety, autism, or anything else - we have lots of support available, please don’t suffer in silence.
In the main room - where the keynote, panel, skill sessions will take place - we have some reserved seating. We reserve a few seats by the aisle and at the back of the room for any members who have a mental or physical health condition and would prefer having an easy way to exit the room. If a reserved seat at the front/aisle/back of the room would help you feel more comfortable at the event, please let us know on your application form and/or by emailing us at events@brightnetwork.co.uk.”
If you need a quiet space to take a few minutes and calm down, speak to someone from Bright Network (you can always find someone at reception, but we’re also around the venue all day) and they can take you to a dedicated space. A mental health first aider from the Bright Network team will be onsite too, so they can also help you if required - meet Katie, our certified Mental Health First Aider.
Auditory and visual support
All speakers during the event will be speaking through a microphone, but if you’re hard of hearing we will also be showing closed captioning on at least one of the presentation screens. Please just bear in mind that it is live captioning so may not be 100% accurate.
If you require an auditory loop, please let us know by emailing events@brightnetwork.co.uk.
The hosts', speakers' and panellists' introductions will include an audio description for any attendees with visual impairments. For example, "My name is Hester and my pronouns are she/her. I'm the Senior Events Marketing Executive at Bright Network. I'm a white female in her early twenties with curly ginger hair. I'm wearing a green t-shirt and behind me is a busy office."
Requesting a travel cost reimbursement
We would really like all our students to be able to have the opportunity to attend our events and we want to support where possible. Anyone attending Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging 2024 in-person is eligible for a reimbursement of up to £30. To request a reimbursement, complete and submit this application form. You will then be sent a form to complete reimbursement payment details and upload your travel reciepts. Full instructions will be given on the forms.
You need to attend the event in full to receive the reimbursement. Reimbursements will be sent out after the event you are attending. You need to have submitted the application form by 17/03/24, 11:59pm, and the payment details form by 24/03/24 11:59pm, in order to be eligible.
Support from the Bright Network team
The Bright Network events team will be present around the venue all day. If you have a question or require support at any point during the event, we can always be found at reception at the entrance of the events space.
If you need first aid assistance at any point during the event, a mental health first aider and a physical first aider will be available to help.
Anything we haven’t covered? Get in touch
If you need support with anything prior to or during the event, or have any questions, please don't hesitate to email us atevents@brightnetwork.co.uk and we'd be more than happy to help. Additionally, if you have any requirements that would help your attendance at the event be more accessible, please let us know and we can make suitable arrangements.
Advice for members attending virtually
Bizzabo
Using Bizzabo
You may not have used the virtual event platform Bizzabo before, so we created a Bizzabo user guide to help you familiarise yourself with the platform before the event. Feel free to refer back to it during the event too!
The event will be run on the virtual platform, Bizzabo. You will be sent a ticket for the platform in advance of the event, which you can use to register and join on the day.
How to add subtitles
We will be sharing live closed captioning during sessions with presentations. These will appear on screen automatically for all attendees. Please note that the captions are live, so they may not be 100% accurate at all times.
For captions throughout the event (e.g. during networking), we recommend using Google Chrome's captions. The Bizzabo platform works best on Chrome anyway, so it's an easy addition to make.
To add captions, click on the three dots in the top right hand corner of the Chrome window. Head to "Settings", then "Accessibility" and click the on button next to "Live captions" to activate them. Live captioning should then appear on the window when someone is speaking. Please note that you need to be viewing the event via Bizzabo on Google Chrome for the captions to work, and that the captions are live so they may not be 100% accurate at all times.
How to access the Helpdesk
If you require any help on the day (this can range from technical difficulties to further guidance), we will have a virtual helpdesk open all afternoon. To access, head to "Agenda" at the top of the Bizzabo page and scroll down to find "Bright Network Help Desk" (see screenshot below). You can go here at any point during the event for support from someone from the Bright Network team. We have mental health first aiders in the team, as well as experts on the Bizzabo platform.
How to edit your profile
If you feel comfortable, we welcome all attendees to add their name, preferred pronouns, university and even a photo to their Bizzabo profile. By adding pronouns, it creates a more inclusive space. Adding your university and a photo can make it easier to connect with the employers and other attendees.
To update your profile, just click on your display picture in the top right hand corner of the Bizzabo page. Click "Edit", add any information you'd like the employer representatives and other attendees to see, then click save! Screenshot below to help.
Additional support
Auditory and visual support
As previously mentioned, closed captioning can be added to all sessions via Google Chrome.
The hosts', speakers' and panellists' introductions will include an audio description for any attendees with visual impairments. For example, "My name is Hester and my pronouns are she/her. I'm the Senior Events Marketing Executive at Bright Network. I'm a white female in her early twenties with curly ginger hair. I'm wearing a green t-shirt and behind me is a busy office."
Mental health support
If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed at the event - either because of anxiety, autism, or anything else - we have lots of support available, please don’t suffer in silence.
A mental health first aider from the Bright Network team will be available throughout the event for anyone who feels like they need to speak to someone. Please find them at the Bright Network Help Desk on the Bizzabo platform or email events@brightnetwork.co.uk. To learn more about our mental health support - meet Katie, our certified Mental Health First Aider.
Anything we haven’t covered? Get in touch!
If you need support with anything prior to or during the event, or have any questions, please don't hesitate to email us at events@brightnetwork.co.uk and we'd be more than happy to help. Additionally, if you have any requirements that would help you access our event better, please let us know and we can make suitable arrangements.