How to Host a Fun Company Event That Promotes DEI Initiatives

A focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) enables companies everywhere to reach their fullest potential. While many company leaders strive to represent all members of the human race, bringing different people together comes with a unique set of challenges. You can bridge the gaps between all walks of life on your team by designing events that work with (and for) DEI initiatives.

What Are DEI Initiatives?

Your team is likely composed of many unique individuals! DEI initiatives refer to any action that represents or unites your teammates from different backgrounds.

DEI initiatives address a long list of human qualities that add value to any working environment:

Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Age
Race
Cultural background
Social demographics
General life experiences

Initiatives designed to celebrate these character components bring safety and inclusivity to your organization. With a greater sense of unity and security, you’ll actually help increase productivity, too—a win-win!!

Sometimes, it can feel impossible to design all of your company processes in a way that equally acknowledges everyone on your team. But diversity with fairness is the only way an organization can truly succeed on all levels.

Why Are DEI Initiatives Important?

To understand why DEI initiatives are important, try imagining your team without them. The old-world idea that only one or few types of people are valuable in a corporate setting is actually totally false.

Truthfully, every type of person has value. Have a look and see why DEI initiatives are important for your organization.

They Build Strong, Connected Teams

By taking opportunities to celebrate the differences within your team, you help everyone at your company feel safe, accepted, and valued. You drive forward the message that all types of people (and their ideas) are important!

In turn, DEI initiatives decrease conflict and increase strong relationships at work. A conscious, constant effort to celebrate every walk of life is necessary to inspire the most productivity and creativity from your team.

DEI Initiatives Celebrate Different Perspectives

As a corporate leader, the last thing you want is to suppress or deny different ways of thinking! DEI initiatives celebrate new ideas and innovations to drive your business forward.

For example, someone with a low-income background may have more valuable insights when marketing to a low-income demographic. The same can be said for employees of different ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, or life experiences.

What’s more, people with different perspectives shake up traditional ways of thinking! You could be missing out on a whole corner of the market until someone new and different lets you know.

Everyone Will Receive Equal Opportunities

With DEI initiatives, team members from different neighborhoods, of different colors or sexual preferences, stand the same chance for growth, development, and recognition. It also accounts for obstacles, like disabilities and financial or social barriers.

What makes a qualified candidate for most working positions has to do with high aptitude and strong moral fiber. It has little to do with culture, lifestyle choices, or appearances alone.

When you set the standard at work to see beyond the “human shell,” suddenly everyone can appreciate their teammates for what they bring to the table.

How Can You Incorporate DEI Initiatives Into Company Events?

If you’re a corporate leader who is ready to make DEI initiatives a priority, you can take it one event at a time. Try out one or all of these fun and inclusive ideas to bring your team together.

Start a Company Book Club to Highlight Your Team Members’ Identities

Not only will a book club help make things light and casual from time to time (which is essential for work relationships), it’s also a great way to tie in DEI initiatives.

Invite your teammates to share book titles that reflect who they are. Allow them (and encourage them!) to break free of their professional personas to celebrate the things that make them unique.

Books can better explain the facets of life that are foreign to some, but familiar to others. Odds are your teammates will enjoy a glimpse into each other’s worlds through literature.

Tie Your DEI Initiatives Into History & Heritage Months

A straightforward way to show appreciation for different cultural backgrounds is to recognize important times of the year as they pass by. If you’re not sure what to do or how to acknowledge cultural history or heritage events that are unfamiliar to you… turn to food!

We at Delicious Experiences go beyond traditional ho-hum catering. Check out some of our previous DEI-focused events and select a unique culinary or drink-making course! Our team can put together the perfect DEI event to reach all members of your team—working from home and in the office.

We’re always changing up the unique Experiences we offer, so check back often. For example, our Sake Journeys or Sichuan Cuisine class are perfect for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in May!

Give Your Company Lunch a Boost With a Powerful Speaker

An outside voice works wonders for any cause. How meaningful would it be to invite a cultural, social, or emotional advocate for an underrepresented group of people in your company?

Your teammates realize your personal strengths and limitations! It means the world to them when they see you reaching beyond your areas of expertise to further educate or celebrate.

For instance, consider bringing in a guest to answer questions about Juneteenth. Reach out to local poets or musicians with knowledge and experience to further your DEI initiatives.

Stock the Snack Table With Diverse Brands

Take a look at your “regular” behaviors, materials, or tools to make sure everyone on your team is adequately represented. Snacks are a great way to make people feel seen and comfortable. Just because most people on the team respond to caffeinated incentives doesn’t mean everyone does.

What’s more, some people on your team might practice veganism or enjoy foods with a spicier flavor profile. Just be careful not to stock the corporate pantry as you would your own personal stash. When in doubt, ask your company what snacks they prefer.

Don’t leave out your remote employees! There are reasons to send gift cards or snack pick-me-ups by mail. Think outside the box to represent all walks of life. Our team at Delicious Experiences are masters of curating tasty and thoughtful gift boxes showcasing snacks and foods from small, minority-owned producers and artisans—reach out to [email protected] to learn more!

Host a Company-Wide Volunteer Day

Rather than giving your team time off to celebrate a holiday or occasion they know little about, give everyone a break from work to show up for a specific cause. (This way everyone can gain perspective.)

Think about attending an LGBTQ+ rally or a march for women’s reproductive rights as a team. Show up for the different groups of people within your corporation to foster closeness and responsibility for one another.

No matter your business or where your teammates are located, DEI initiatives are crucial to building and maintaining a sense of community. Follow cultural calendars and get involved in the groups that are important to your team members!

Contact the pros at Delicious Experiences to kick off your DEI initiatives. We host a wide variety of food and beverage courses, featuring many different chef personalities to drive home your mission of inclusivity.