To be the industry leader in opportunity for all
We are an organization that embraces creativity, diversity, and inclusion for our employees, our customers, and our business partners.
We at Clarion Events Inc. believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are fundamental to making us a successful and vibrant organization. What we aim to do is to put inclusion and belonging at the heart of everything we do. We have made strides (and continue to make strides) to attract, develop, and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the diverse communities and markets we serve. In the end, a supportive environment for our employees where everyone is treated equitably and with respect is our goal. We have zero-tolerance for discrimination of any kind whether it pertains to our employees or our customers - events are for all, and we intended to make sure of that with our DEIB initiatives & programming.
At our shows
At Clarion Events Inc. we do not just want to talk about diversity, but be an active participant in the change that comes from putting forth diverse programs. At all of our shows, we host a variety of different programing around the ideas of diversity, equity, & inclusion, and how those concepts bring about positive change in our customer markets. Most recently we have had:
- HYDROVISION International - Women with Hydro Vision Awards
- FDIC International - Another Seat at the Table: Diversity and Inclusion
- Coffee Fest New York - The Daniel Lee Giving Tree Award
- Airport News Conference - You’ve Launched a Diversity Equity & Inclusion Initiative, Now What?
- Leftfield Media - Interview with Inklusion Comics
- The NGA Show - World of Latino: Chef Demonstrations
- Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention - Women in Gaming and LGBTQ in the Workplace
- Insuretech Connect - Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator
As we continue to grow, we look to add even more diverse programming that highlights the contributions and successes our customers from marginalized communities have had, and how those successes translate into a better industry for everyone.
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FDIC International - Women in Fire Conference
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POWERGEN Intl. - Lunch for a Better Balance
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NGA Show - World of Latino: Chef Demonstration
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AXN - You’ve Launched a DE&I Initiative, Now What?
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DISTRIBUTECH - Powered by Diversity Lunch
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Coffee Fest - The Daniel Lee Giving Tree Award
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Leftfield Media - Interview with Inklusion Comics
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International Women's Day #BreakTheBias
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Black History Month Advent Calendar
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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2022 Women in Leadership Lunch & Learn
Among ourselves
Clarion Events Inc. has always been one to lead by example. Our stance is not to be satisfied with the status quo but always strive for more diversity, representation, and equity within our company. To this end, we arrange various events for our staff highlighting important topics such as:
- Black History Month Interactive Advent Calendar
- Lunch & Learn with Female Senior Leaders for Women's History Month
- Lunch & Learn - Remembering the Events of 9/11
- Virtual Panel - "Being LGBTQ+ Inclusive: What Can I Actually Do"
- Affiliate Summit Team (celebrating its support to all of our LGBTQIA+ employees, customers, and partners) donating to the Trevor Project for Pride Month 2022
Informational newsletters and interactive activities also help to educate our teams and maintain a sense of awareness & knowledge about various topics and dates. Reaching for a more diverse, equitable, and representative workplace is our goal - and giving our employees the opportunity to learn about a variety of different communities will help us get there.
Clarion Events North American Employee Clubs
The Clarion Events Inc. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee
What makes our DEIB Committee special is that they volunteer their time, resources, and expertise from across our various portfolios and teams to bring with them a unique and different perspective that shape our mission at Clarion Events Inc. towards a more diverse company. See who they are, why they joined, and what they look to accomplish in the time ahead.

Mel Montes
Vice President | AXN and WWIN, Clarion NA DEI Business Partner Lead
I believe in the importance of all voices being heard, all ideas being considered and everyone feeling included. Representation matters and as we continue to expand our engagement with the industries we serve it is important that they see themselves in us. And I look forward for the opportunity for honest and courageous dialog around DEI issues that leads to transformational change both in our organization and in the industry.

Heather Crovo
Vice President: Human Resources
I want to continue to help make Clarion an amazing place for all employees to work. A place where they feel like they can be their true, authentic selves, and where they feel like they belong and their unique voices are heard. It was important for me to join this committee to help drive those goals. In addition, I hope to create programming that feels meaningful to the employee base and makes them feel even more connected to the company and its mission.

Greg Topalian
CEO | Clarion Events North America and LeftField Media
I am excited to be a part of the DEIB committee, and to see the direction & vision they have for our culture. Great cultures don’t come from the top, and while I care deeply about this topic it’s exciting to see the ideas and passion of our team.

Hailey Hayes
Show Manager/Account Manager: Coffee Fest
I feel passionate about making Clarion & our shows a place where anyone can work and feel comfortable and included. I have also found this committee a great opportunity to be a part of something to insure we are creating an inclusive place where people want to work, and where I personally want to grow my education on DEIB in the workplace, to help others and their journey.

Bill Harris
Vice President | Chief Revenue Officer | InsureTECH Connect
I see being a part of the DEIB Committee as an opportunity -- and an obligation -- to ensure that historically marginalized groups have their voices heard at the upper echelons of the organization. I also look forward to continuing my own education, and to help others on their journey of awareness of race, culture, gender, sexuality, religion and all of the other topics that we bring into the workforce as human beings.

Jon Yahirun
Customer Success Manager
Whether it’s been within politics, the workplace or popular culture, the past few years have revealed to me how incredibly important the concepts of diversity, inclusion and belonging are in the fabric that is our lives in the US. I want to actively learn and contribute to this growing conversation within our own company. And as part of the committee, I want to help colleagues feel more welcomed and heard & to also spread awareness and allyship via organizing programming and facilitating continual, open conversations.

Paige Heady
Marketing Director
As a people manager, I think it’s a core value to be part of the conversation around diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at Clarion. It is personally rewarding for me to feel that I have made a positive impact on another employee’s work environment. I want to affect change and learn what I can do to support our teams, growing both as a better leader and colleague. I am motivated by the other committee members and enjoy the transparency that we share as we work towards a better tomorrow.

Eric Schlett
Senior Vice President: Fire & Safety
It's important that all voices and perspectives are recognized and our differnces are respected. Knowing people in the organization felt their voices weren't heard made me realize I can play a role in ensuring people feel welcome to share their voice. This opportunity has given me the opportunity to learn from others while sharing my personal experiences. What I am most hopeful for is that our organization will become a more welcome place where our colleagues have a deeper trust and ultimately ensuring every team member feels included, heard and supported.

Liz Irving
Chief Marketing Officer | North America
As a leader, I want to ensure that I am creating an environment of inclusive practices and one in which my employees feel valued, feel safe to contribute and an environment where I can be a prominent adovcate these practices across my teams. And personally, I want to see different types of collaborations forming, and learn ways to connect with our employees and ultimately build a business where all employee voices are heard.

David Herd
Talent Acquisition Manager
As a kid I grew up in a small town on the east coast of Scotland - it's makeup wasn't very diverse. From an early age I was always curious about other cultures and how they see and experience the world around us. My passion for travel stemmed from a need to learn more about other points of view and that spilled into my everyday view as I grew up and propelled me into joining this committee. I always want to be asking questions and learning to help me grow, and I want to make sure everyone is given that same opportunity. I've always considered myself one that can consider scenarios from multiple points of view, and want to ensure everyone has a voice at Clarion.

Samson Rutkin
Marketing Manager: Leftfield Media
I want to be able to be an active participant in the positive change coming from Clarion to make everyone feel included and seen within this company. What I look forward to the most is having programming that my fellow employees can look at and say they found engaging and helpful in understanding different communities they might just be allies to.

Ashley Cope
Marketing Manager
I aim to continue to help make Clarion become more inclusive and make everyone feel welcome and heard. I also think it is important that we continue to educate ourselves and our teams more about diversity, equality, and inclusion. What I look forward to the most though, is educating myself (and our teams) more on important issues and matters that we can all learn from to take into our daily lives to become more informed, inclusive, and connected to our larger communities.

Hala Dean
Leadership & Professional Development Manager
As a lifelong advocate of happy, healthy workplaces, I’m passionate about supporting inclusive work environments. These can only exist if we are willing to show compassion and communicate openly. My role in leadership and professional development focuses on reinforcing authentic and respectful communication. Our core values at Clarion of Passion, Care, Imagination and Trust create a culture where people know that whatever makes them unique is welcomed and celebrated.

Meghan Tooth
Senior Marketing Coordinator
Growing up in a small town in Connecticut, there wasn’t much diversity in my community. Being part of the DEIB Committee is a place where I look forward to continue learning and appreciating other cultures, ethnicities, religions, beliefs etc. I think the more we talk about our differences, the closer we become as an organization.

Brooke Crowley
HR Generalist
I joined the DEIB committee because as someone in Human Resources I am always looking to help promote an inclusive workplace where ever possible and that is just the goal of this committee. I am excited to hear from employees of all backgrounds on what is important to them. I have always believed that the best companies possible include all different types of employees from all different backgrounds. I hope that by being a part of the committee I can learn about different cultures and backgrounds while also sharing my unique background and perspective as well.