ASM Global—a venue management company based in Los Angeles, California—features a growing number of convention centers in its portfolio that can accommodate neurodivergent attendees, creating a supportive environment and adding an inclusive component important to groups and organizations.
“We have frontline staff sensory-trained, sensory kits are available to those who need them, and we’ve also built a sensory room with a soundproof egg chair,” notes Rich Carillo, director of sales and services at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado, an ASM Global-managed venue. “It’s available for guests and staff and is very much appreciated by those who use it.”
Neurodivergent people make up approximately 20% of the global population, according to The Neu Project, which seeks to increase acceptance and productivity for neurodivergent communities. The most well-known types of neurodivergence include ADHD, autism, dyslexia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette syndrome, and sensory processing issues. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to overstimulation and noise, which is part of the environment in venues such as convention centers.
“Building a sensory-friendly environment was definitely more of an extensive process than just building a room,” explains Alysia Guin, sales and marketing manager at Raising Cane’s River Center Convention Center in Baton Rouge, Lousiana. “The biggest piece of the project, in my opinion, was to work alongside KultureCity to ensure all our staff was trained in how to work with guests who have sensory-related issues. That education process is something that is continuously evolving, so one thing to note for all venues is that it’s something that you constantly have to work toward, and having a person at the venue championing the program is essential to make sure all staff members are educated to create the best experience possible for guests.” KultureCity, the organization Raising Cane’s River Center worked with to improve sensory-friendliness, is based in Alabama and certifies venues, organizations, and small businesses in a willingness to engage individuals with sensory needs.
Recent initiatives at ASM Global-managed convention centers include:
- Great Columbus Convention Center in Ohio became the first convention center in the world to become Certified Sensory Inclusive in 2019 through KultureCity.
- David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Raising Cane’s River Center Convention Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, have also achieved similar certifications and continue to step up their inclusion efforts.
- Colorado Convention Center in Denver earned Sensory Friendly Establishment certification through Sensory City, a Massachusetts nonprofit aiding those with sensory needs in accessing spaces and events. Its sensory room also features a soundproof egg chair for a calming and comforting environment.
- Palm Springs Convention Center in California became the first convention center in California designated as a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards in March. The Huntington Center and Glass City Center, both in Toledo, Ohio, have each been designated as a Certified Autism Center in November of last year.
- Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is becoming the first convention center in the U.S. to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program in April. Sunflower lanyards and pins—which voluntarily reveal a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent—are available for guests to pick up at the guest services desk free of charge. Additionally, a newly introduced sensory room is available for visitors with hidden disabilities seeking a quiet space.
Examples of sensory-friendly features are:
- Dedicated sensory rooms for guests who need a quieter space where they can feel safe and secure in the event of sensory overload
- Sensory bags equipped with special identification badges for guests to wear, noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads to comfort guests who may be overwhelmed by the busy environment
- “Social stories,” a tool that allows neurodivergent individuals to view the sensory features of a venue ahead of time, providing a preview of what they can expect when they arrive to aid in comfortability
- Dedicated, trained staff who are familiar with neurodivergence and how to accommodate its many aspects
