Pride lunch focuses on inclusivity

Winter Pride’s inaugural Pride in Business Lunch had business leaders come together in Queenstown on Tuesday to dine and discuss inclusivity in the workplace.

Speaking to a sold-out assembly at Bazaar restaurant, a line-up comprised of Spaceworks Interior Architecture chief executive Lizzi Whaley, Mediaworks chief people officer Paula Williams, Booking.com regional manager communications Simon Clark, and Winter Pride co-director Martin King expressed the importance of rainbow pride in businesses and offered practical tips around language, listening, and creating a sense of belonging for employees.

Global Diversity & Inclusion Executive & Host, Mary Haddock-Staniland, said pride in business was all about cultivating cultures of inclusion in the workplace.

"Ultimately we know that when people feel heard, they feel seen, they feel validated, they’re way more productive in work.

"For me, that’s the ultimate in ensuring we stand by our employees, no matter what dimension of diversity, but obviously in this case around rainbow inclusion which is just so important."

She was impressed by the turnout of 110 local business leaders and encouraged them to consider some of the things their organisations could do to "truly listen" to their employees.

Mr King said the festival’s growth had increased the number of people committed to, and actively involved with, rainbow inclusion in the community.

Winter Pride runs until Sunday.