ESPA DEI & Accessibility Guides
Turning complex guidance into two clear, engaging resources for event-service professionals.
ROLE
Sole Graphic Designer
Creative Direction / Editorial Design / Visual Identity / Typography / Color / Iconography / Interactive PDF Design
SCOPE
COMPLETED
Spring 2023
Two digital resource guides with live links to external resources
DELIVERABLES
RECOGNITION
Silver, 2024 TRENDY Awards
Best Advocacy Campaign
OVERVIEW
The Event Service Professionals Association partnered with CMA to create two educational resources addressing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the events industry.
I independently designed both guides, translating extensive educational content into approachable digital publications that event professionals could easily navigate, reference, and share.
This was the first major project I was entrusted to lead without creative oversight. I was responsible for the complete visual direction and execution of both publications—from establishing the design system to delivering the final interactive PDFs.
THE CHALLENGE
The guides needed to communicate important and sometimes complex subjects to an audience with varying levels of familiarity.
The design had to make the information feel accessible without oversimplifying it. It also needed to support practical use, allowing event professionals to quickly locate recommendations, understand key concepts, and connect with additional resources.
Because the two publications addressed related subjects, they needed to feel like part of one cohesive initiative while remaining visually distinct from one another.
A RESEARCH-INFORMED APPROACH
I began by researching design considerations related to readability, accessibility, and inclusive communication.
That research informed decisions around typography, contrast, information hierarchy, spacing, page structure, and the use of supporting visual cues. Content was divided into clear, manageable sections so readers could scan the guides or engage with them in greater depth.
The publications did not undergo a formal accessibility audit, but their design was intentionally shaped by accessibility research and best practices available during the project.
BUILDING THE VISUAL SYSTEM
I developed a flexible visual system that could support two content-heavy publications without making them feel institutional or overwhelming.
Strong typographic hierarchy gives each page a clear point of entry. Color, iconography, photography, callouts, and generous spacing help organize information and distinguish different types of content.
The two guides share a common structure and design language, creating a recognizable family of resources while using their own visual details to establish individual identities.
TWO COMPANION GUIDES
The DEI guide presents educational content, terminology, and practical recommendations intended to help event professionals foster more inclusive experiences.
The accessibility guide focuses on considerations that venues, destinations, and event-service professionals can use when planning for guests with a range of needs.
Together, the publications provide an approachable starting point while directing readers toward additional learning and outside resources.
DESIGNED FOR DIGITAL USE
Both guides were delivered as interactive digital PDFs.
Live links connect readers with external organizations, research, and supplemental resources, extending the usefulness of the publications beyond the information contained within their pages.
The final format made the guides easy for ESPA to distribute to its members and update as industry knowledge continued to evolve.
Brand Launch Video
THE OUTCOME
ESPA’s leadership and board members responded enthusiastically to the finished publications and their recognition within the association industry.
The project received a Silver award for Best Advocacy Campaign during the 2024 TRENDY Awards season, recognizing work completed during the previous year.
More importantly, the two guides gave ESPA a polished and practical platform for advancing conversations around inclusion and accessibility within the events industry.
CLIENT RESPONSE
Dominique Bonds
Director of Engagement
Pennsylvania Convention Center
“This is so exciting on many levels! I am so proud of the work, time, and effort that went into both documents and I am eternally grateful to have worked alongside such committed professionals. While our work continues in both arenas, it is wonderful to be recognized for what we’ve accomplished to date!”