Belonging by Design:
Creating Inclusion at Every Stage of Your Event
On-Demand
This course equips event leaders with a strategic framework to design inclusion and belonging into every phase of the event lifecycle—driving deeper engagement, participation, and measurable outcomes.
CE Hours
Earn 5 continuing education units
Modules
5 modules of content
Format
On-Demand
What You'll Walk Away With
This course gives event leaders a practical, repeatable framework to design inclusion and belonging into every phase of the event lifecycle, so that engagement, participation, and measurable outcomes aren’t left to chance.
Why It Matters
- Belonging is the hidden driver behind repeat attendance, word-of-mouth, and post-event ROI — and most events aren’t designed with it in mind.
- Inclusion isn’t a happy accident. It’s a design decision you can make at every stage, from logistics to programming to follow-up.
By the End of This Course, You’ll Be Able To:
- Design pre-event, on-site, and post-event experiences where attendees feel confident to participate, network, and contribute — not just show up.
- Transform passive audiences into engaged communities that keep coming back.
- Brief speakers, moderators, and venue staff to create inclusive room dynamics that drive energy and trust.
- Connect belonging directly to the metrics your leadership team already tracks: satisfaction scores, NPS, engagement, and retention.
- Stop hoping your events feel inclusive. Start designing it in — at every stage.
Course Outline
Belonging by Design
- Define Belonging. Specifically within an event context — not just organizationally
- Distinguish Inclusion Types. Policy-level structural access vs. behavioral daily climate
- Identify Micro-Behaviors. Spot micro-affirmations and micro-exclusions in real time
- Shape Psychological Safety. Understand how micro-behaviors build — or erode — belonging
Before the Event: Designing Belonging
- Evaluate Event Marketing. Specifically within an event context — not just organizationally
- Identify Structural Exclusions. Spot where planning processes exclude before the event begins.
- Apply Inclusive Design Principles. Use belonging-centered frameworks in pre-event planning decisions
During the Event: Micro-Behaviors
- Recognize Live Microaggressions. Identify real-time dismissals, interruptions, and exclusions as they occur.
- Apply Intervention Strategies. Use the 5 D’s bystander framework to respond in the moment.
- Facilitate Equitable Dialogue. Ensure all voices are heard and power dynamics are actively named.
- Manage Power Dynamics in Panels. Address interruptions, idea theft, and authority hierarchies directly.
After the Event: Sustaining Belonging
- Measure Belonging. Move beyond satisfaction surveys to meaningful belonging metrics.
- Practice Relational Accountability. Follow through in ways that signal your event was designed for them.
- Design Inclusive Follow-Up. Build post-event communications that extend the belonging experience.
- Connect Belonging to ROI. Understand why belonging data drives return, referrals, and long-term trust.
Individual Behavior to Cultural Shift
- Connect Micro to Macro. See how individual behaviors accumulate into organizational culture.
- Embed Belonging in SOPs. Redesign operational systems to make belonging the default.
- Build Accountability Structures. Create measurable, time-bound belonging commitments.
- Sustain Cultural Change. Develop a personal action plan that outlasts any single event.
How This Course Works
This course is delivered entirely on-demand, so you can learn at your own pace — no set schedule required. Whether you have 20 minutes or two hours, you can move through the content when it works best for you and revisit key lessons as many times as you need.
Pre-recorded Modules
Move through the course with on-demand video lessons crafted and delivered by an industry expert — giving you direct access to honed, real-world insight whenever you're ready for it.
Course Access Window
You'll have access to this course for one year (365 days) from the date of enrollment, giving you plenty of time to work through the content at your own pace. Need more time? Extended access is available for an additional fee — just reach out to our team to request an extension.
Counts Toward Your CMP
PCMA Institute is recognized by the Events Industry Council (EIC) as a Preferred Provider of continuing education. Completing this course qualifies for CMP continuing education credit, so every hour you invest moves your certification forward.
Learn From An Industry Expert
Dr. Tanisha King
Strategic Advisor, Educator & Consultant
Dr. Tanisha King is a licensed social worker, executive strategist, and educator who partners with organizations to build cultures of belonging, psychological safety, and sustainable leadership.
With over 15 years of senior leadership experience—including serving as a Chief Inclusion Officer—Dr. King brings a unique blend of lived experience and research-informed expertise to her work. She helps leaders translate understanding into actionable systems, practices, and behaviors that strengthen team connection, communication, and organizational trust.
As a strategic advisor, Dr. King works alongside executive teams, associations, and leaders to design long-term learning strategies, develop high-impact training experiences, and foster environments where people feel seen, supported, and safe to do their best work. Her approach is practical, rigorous, and results-oriented, moving organizations from awareness to sustained cultural growth.
Ready to Level Up?
We want to make sure you're getting the best price available to you. PCMA and CEMA members, as well as Institute subscribers, automatically receive a discount — no codes needed. Simply log in at checkout and your savings will be applied based on your account.
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What Learners Are Saying
“This was a great course that taught me a lot about belonging! It made me really think about the ways I currently design and execute events and the ways I follow up with attendees post event. There were a lot of great take aways I can use for future events and share with my team to help create a more belonging-focused organization! ”
“Phenomenal. It provoked and inspired me to think about ways I can show up, present, and produce events with greater intention. Five stars. ”
“This inspired me to think more deeply about psychological safety and how it impacts every stakeholder in the room — ensuring everyone has a voice at the table.”
“Practical, effective, and immediately applicable. Dr. King showed us how to ensure all voices are heard — from facilitation to ground rules to decision-making. ”
Satisfaction Guarantee
The PCMA Institute stands behind all of its content. If you feel you didn’t learn what you expected to in this course, just let us know within 30 days of your last lesson and we’ll give you a full refund. Full terms & conditions apply.
