The WiHTL & DiR inclusion Summit
Event Consulting | Event Leadership | Event Delivery
Client
WiHTL & DiR
sector
Travel, Hospitality & Retail
services
Consulting, Leadership & Event Delivery
Attendees
700+
exhibitors
18+
SPEAKERS
20+
About the event
WiHTL & DiR is a leading membership community dedicated to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion across the hospitality, travel, leisure and retail sectors.
The Inclusion Summit is its flagship annual conference, bringing together senior leaders, HR professionals and industry experts to share ideas, challenge thinking and inspire meaningful change across the industry.
Working alongside the founders and internal marketing team, Natalie provided event consultancy, operational leadership and end-to-end event delivery. Acting as an extension of the team, she led the planning and operational delivery of the event, helping deliver the largest and most successful Inclusion Summit to date.
the challenge
The Inclusion Summit had grown significantly and the ambition for the 2024 event was greater than ever before. The founders wanted to increase attendance, enhance the delegate experience, strengthen commercial partnerships and create a conference that reflected the growing influence of the WiHTL & DiR community.
With multiple sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and stakeholders involved, the event required experienced operational leadership to ensure every element came together seamlessly.
Natalie worked alongside the founders and marketing team to lead the operational planning and delivery, allowing the client team to remain focused on content, speakers, member engagement and strategic partnerships.
Results That Matter
The success of an event is measured by the experience it creates and the results it delivers.
Through detailed planning, proactive supplier management and experienced event leadership, the Inclusion Summit 2024 exceeded its commercial objectives while delivering a seamless experience for delegates, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors.
Attendees from leading brands in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure, and Retail.
Exhibitors showcasing innovative solutions.
Speakers delivering thought-provoking presentations and panels.
Quadrupled ticket revenue through strategic pricing.
Achieved significant cost savings across AV, event tech, f&b, and merchandise through supplier partnerships and sponsorships.
Excellent feedback from attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors for the event’s organisation, content, and overall experience.
Established strong relationships with the venue and all suppliers, ensuring seamless delivery and laying the groundwork for future collaborations.
Working together:event consultancy, leadership and delivery
I joined the WiHTL & DiR team during the planning of the Inclusion Summit, working alongside the founders and internal marketing team to provide event consultancy and operational leadership.
Acting as an extension of the team, I led the operational planning and delivery of the event, coordinating suppliers, venue operations and the client’s existing event team onsite. This allowed the founders and marketing team to remain focused on members, speakers, sponsors and strategic partnerships while I took ownership of the event delivery.
1. Strategic Advisory & Planning
- Partnered closely with the Founder & Chair and the Head of Marketing to shape the event’s vision and set ambitious goals.
- Designed and implemented a new ticket pricing strategy, which quadrupled ticket revenue and achieved the target of 700 attendees.
- Leveraged attendee feedback from the 2023 event to identify areas for improvement and enhance the overall experience.
#InclusionSummit24
2. Event Management & Execution
- Venue Sourcing & Supplier Management: Secured and managed contracts whilst building strong relationships with the venue and suppliers. Negotiated cost-saving agreements across catering, AV, decor, and f&b, delivering outstanding value for the client.
- Sponsor & Exhibitor Management: Onboarded and managed 18 exhibitors and sponsors, ensuring all benefits and deliverables were maximised.
- Speaker Sourcing: Coordinated an impressive lineup of over 20 speakers, including high-profile keynote guests.
- Created a detailed project plan to keep the event on track, sharing regular updates with stakeholders and addressing any challenges proactively.
3. Team Coordination
- Directed the WiHTL team, assigning clear roles and responsibilities to streamline collaboration.
- Introduced a clear communications plan with regular updates in the lead-up to the event, ensuring alignment and progress across all areas.
What they had to say
“Natalie was key to the success of our Inclusion Summit and inaugural Inclusion Awards, flawlessly coordinating an event for over 1,000 attendees.
Her expertise in managing a large-scale venue and delivering both events in a single day showcased her exceptional organisation and professionalism.“
Michael Sweeney – Digital Marketing & Content Manager
WiHTL & DiR and inclusion in
“I would like to say thank you for all you have done for us. The Summit and Gala have been a monumental and extraordinary success. The feedback from all corners has been excellent and you have played a major role in all of this. Thank you.”
Tea Colaianni – Founder & Chair
Why They Chose us
WiHTL and DiR selected McDonnell Marketing because of our ability to provide:
- Expertise: Comprehensive event management and marketing experience tailored to meet the needs of a high-profile summit.
- Strategic Guidance: A clear vision for achieving ambitious goals and delivering exceptional value.
- End-to-End Support: From planning and supplier management to marketing and execution, we handled every detail with precision and care.
We Offer More Value
At McDonnell Marketing, we don’t just deliver events—we partner with our clients to create exceptional experiences. For the WiHTL & DiR Inclusion Summit 2024, we acted as:
- Advisors: Providing strategic insights to help shape and elevate the event.
- Consultants: Sharing best practices and innovative ideas to optimise processes.
- Event Delivery Experts: Managing every detail to ensure flawless execution and tangible results.
Our Way of Working
- Collaborative Approach: Building strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and venues creates a foundation for seamless delivery.
- Flexibility: Tailoring our approach to each client’s unique needs ensures we deliver maximum value.
- Strategic Focus: Regular communication, clear plans, and proactive problem-solving are key to achieving exceptional outcomes.
By combining strategic expertise with hands-on execution, McDonnell Marketing helped WiHTL & DiR deliver a best-in-class event that not only showcased the business impact of inclusion but also set a new benchmark for success in the EDI space.
If you’re looking for expert guidance on creating impactful, results-driven events, let’s start the conversation today.