By Ronnie Wendt

When planning incentive trips, which can be held in exclusive travel destinations, such as Costa Rica or Saint Lucia, or many destinations throughout the Midwest, Kyra Canty, event coordinator at Paragon Events, likes to include a cultural night.

“At our cultural nights, we work with local artisan vendors to bring a local marketplace to the hotel for attendees to enjoy,” she says. “We also work with local vendors to provide an authentic experience. Year after year, it is most attendees’ favorite party.”

To ensure the success of cultural events, Shari Weber, owner of Lake Country Event Planning, highlights the significance of sensitivity and avoidance of stereotypes. “It requires sensitivity, respect and a genuine understanding of the cultures being represented,” she says.

Weber presents a few ideas to assist planners in organizing a culturally authentic event without being offensive.

  1. Collaborate and Engage. Cultivate relationships with individuals and groups from the cultures that will be included. Partner with them to craft an authentic event based on mutual respect.
  1. Emphasize Education. Offer workshops, talks and panels that dive into the history of the culture and the meaning of their cultural practices.
  2. Gather Diverse Ideas. Make sure multiple voices from the same culture are part of the planning and represented at the event to avoid monolithic portrayals.
  3. Cultivate Cultural Sensitivity. Make sure event staff and volunteers understand the importance of respectful representation and how to avoid cultural appropriation.
  4. Show Respect. Avoid using cultural symbols, attire, or practices out of context or as mere decoration. Ensure that all cultural elements are presented with their proper significance and respect.