A few weeks ago, the first event from the team at Accessible Hospitality Alliance took place, The aha Forum, in Partnership with Thomas Franks. The event enjoyed a positive start as just before opening the team on reception reported 100% attendance. Following its conclusion many attendees took to social media to report enthusiastically about their experience of taking part.
In between at many points throughout the day a live anonymous poll asked attendees to feedback on the constituent parts of the event, and following the event a survey gauged wider reaction once attendees had more time to collect their thoughts.
Poll Results
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Attendee Objectives and Expectations
From arrival and registration to just before the event got started Gather polled to understand what attendees were looking for from the event.
The system then during, Gather Feedback and Social Moment intervals between the different sessions asked attendees to rate their experience of each.
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Interview by Piers Zangana of Robin Sheppard, looking at accessibility from three perspectives
a) A person living with disability
b) An accessibility advocate
c) The co – founder and President of the UK’s largest independent hotel business, Bespoke Hotels
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Six roundtables addressed the following discussions, simultaneously
a) Transforming Hospitality Through the Power of Lived Experience – Led by Shelley Cowan
b) Developing and Maintaining Accessible Culture – Led by James Dixon-Box MIH
c) Hospitality by Definition is Accessible and Inclusive – Led by Kellie Rixon MBE FIH
d) Owning the Accessibility Journey: Honest Dialogue and Personal Reflections – Led by Ross Calladine
e) The Business of Accessibility – Led by Paul Vaughan
f) Removing Barriers to Accessibility – Led by Robert Holland FIH
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Panel Group Discussion – The Inclusive Workplace – Led by Professor Peter Jones MBE, with panelists Richmal Maybank, James Dixon-Box MIH, Ursula Boardman
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Ross Calladine – A Collective Next Step with Support from VisitEngland: Improving Accessibility Information
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Michael McGrath MBE – The business of leadership in accessible hospitality
Prior to departure, attendees were asked if their expectations and objectives were met by the event, and have you been inspired by today’s event to implement more accessibility in your business, the day’s second 100% was registered.
Some days after the event a survey was sent by Gather to glean further understanding and feedback.
Attendees were offered the option to add further comments, a selection of which are detailed below.
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Survey Feedback
a) “The room felt a bit cramped and hot. It could have done with the air conditioning on.
“Lovely selection & quality of refreshments & food. The bowls of the evening food were delicious and modern but we did not see the chicken dish at all, one of our group was allergic to shellfish and kept getting offered scallop. But this is just a very small negative in an overall brilliant day.
“The schedule looked long on paper, but when we were in our groups the time flew by and we were all so engaged. I wish that more forums were as engaging as this.”
b) “We had a fantastic day. The only things that I feel would improve this further are:
“Signing – there were some people in the room who have hearing impairments, that may have struggled with some of the speakers.
“Break out room (s) for round table discussions – there was a real buzz in the room for the round table discussions, which is brilliant, but it did make it difficult to hear some of the quieter members of the groups.”
c) “A well structured event that brought a very diverse group of people together. The format, especially the roundtables and the panel group discussion allowed everyone to contribute. Emmanuel Kelly’s performance ended the day showcasing the amazing talent available to be harnessed from making Employment accessible in both entertainment and hospitality. Put me down for the next episode please.”
d) “For me, I found the event insightful, inspiring and informative. Hearing and engaging with those who are directly affected by the challenges of accessibility helped bring home the real lived issues being faced by people every day. The speakers were excellent and I hope that as the alliance develops and grows the positive momentum can evolve into real action that can improve the lives of many and benefit all. Thank you.”
e) “To get advice form people with various abilities on the venue. Lighting, sound, noise level and space need to be fully considered.
I felt that wheelchair users where limited to one side of the room, those with hearing difficulties were not able to lip read the speakers, or read what was being said. The noise level and small space for a neurodiverse person was overwhelming.”
f) “Great to take part in an event where purpose was clear and authentic, well done all.”
g) “Loved the small table format. I thought the discussion time of 45 was a little too long but that’s purely subjective. Speakers were excellent and well chosen. I would encourage some agenda points that the audience are unlikely to agree on to fuel debate and for specific forward thinking and challenge the stuff we all agree on.”
h) “It was a brilliant day and you should be incredibly proud of what you achieved.
“I think it would have been helpful to have the roundtables in different rooms as there was a lot of noise bleed. It was quite overwhelming at times as someone with sensory sensitivities.
I think having round tables would be easier for anyone needing to lip read. I also think it’s good practice to provide an visual description as speakers ahead of speaking.
“Having a ‘what to expect’ ahead of the event would be really inclusive. For example, I’d not fully appreciated that we’d be speaking as a group or expectations around contributing. The leader was excellent at gathering our thoughts and relaying them back.
“It would have been helpful to have a sign to the toilet as I initially went to the wrong one.”
i) “The range of different people meant I heard lots of different viewpoints, some I can take back and apply, others that will need board approval, but we will talk and we will act. Thank you for a day that has challenged my thinking.”
j) “On balance an extremely productive day that will stay with me for quite some time. Emmanuel Kelly was a sensation bring him back.”
k) “Not just an illuminating event full of takeaways to investigate, but a live masterclass in hospitality. The food was exceptional, paired with wines and champagne that complimented every morsel, delivered by a front of house team oozing professionalism. Looking forward to the next one already!”
l) “Much food for thought, thank you. The venue was ok, but not great, all in all a good day with room for practical improvement.”
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Social Media
The reaction to the event on social media was similar to the poll and survey results, and a few examples are screen grabbed below.
For those readers who are on LinkedIn, much more feedback can be seen here.
The video below gives insight to the event from many of the people who attended and as such helped create an event that generated the feedback above.
Further below is a second video that captured the LIVE set by Emmanuel Kelly at The aha Forum, including ‘Yellow’, just as he did last year alongside Chris Martin, opening for Coldplay on their record-breaking Music Of The Spheres world tour.
One final message on behalf of Accessible Hospitality Alliance: “The sponsors are who made this event what it was, without their backing and support none of the above would have been possible, so, we thank each and every one of them, and look forward to continuing to work together for a hospitality world that welcomes everyone.
