How Associations Should Review Event Policies in Light of the Oscars Slap

From Rasheeda Childress writing in Associations Now…

Actor Will Smith slapping Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about wife Jada Pinkett-Smith’s bald head—a result of alopecia, an autoimmune disorder—made headlines around the world. While most news outlets discussed the shock factor, event planners were reminded of the policies and procedures that need to be in place to ensure that meetings are a safe environment for everyone in attendance.

For example, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization that hosts the Oscars, was criticized for letting Smith stay and receive an award after the incident.

Desireé Knight, CMP, DES, CAE, senior director of education and meetings at the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association, said that what happened at the Oscars was a teaching moment for event planners.

“You can’t wait until the start of an event to discuss overall safety and questioning what should we do,” Knight said. “Organizers have to have these conversations before.”

The key lessons that association event professionals should take away involve planning for safety and ensuring the event has a code of conduct.

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