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Insights on events, technology, and the future of gathering
Quick answer: Virtual and hybrid events make tech conferences more inclusive for women by removing the physical and cultural barriers of in-person formats. Attendees can join from home, use their own equipment, and participate on equal footing - and Canapii's own event data shows near-equal female and male attendance at online conferences.
In-person tech conferences have long been designed with men in mind
Online formats remove practical barriers, from childcare to equipment
Canapii data shows near-equal female and male attendance at virtual events
Organizers are working to keep the momentum as in-person events return
Tech conferences play a significant role in the success and development of many big businesses. The networking, education, and communication that take place at a tech conference facilitate business and personal growth, and attending one - regularly or even just once - can transform an individual's career. Yet when it comes to tech conferences, it is unfortunately still a man's world: statistics show businesses are less likely to send their female employees than their male counterparts, and in-person conferences have traditionally been designed to cater to men. As we transition into a new, uber digital era, we're asking: does this style of online living and communication lend itself to equality?
Because most in-person tech conferences were designed with men in mind - from the venue facilities to who gets sent in the first place. "Speak Up 2020: Redesigning Tech Conferences with Women in Mind", an annual report from Ensono that looks at attitudes towards gender at tech conferences, shone a light on the systematic struggles facing women at in-person tech conferences that discouraged them from returning.
These struggles include no baby changing rooms for nursing mothers, inadequately sized podiums, and A/V equipment suited to traditional men's clothing. Ensono's research even found that 71% of women who have given a keynote believe these conferences are designed with men in mind, and 61% expressed that their company would be more inclined to send a man to a tech conference. These statistics make it clear that women in tech are facing both overt and unconscious bias in their work environments.
A new era of virtual and hybrid events provides a beacon of hope for these outdated systems and attitudes towards women in tech. When the world went digital, those passionate about encouraging gender equality in the industry took the opportunity to encourage female attendance at tech conferences.
Attend from anywhere: online conferences enable women with young children to participate fully while staying at home.
Use your own equipment: joining on familiar tech helps speakers and attendees feel comfortable and confident with their resources.
Set a new precedent: more women attending online conferences establishes women as valued, noteworthy participants in these events.
Shift company behavior: higher attendance from female workers is inspiring companies to invest in and better equip their female employees the way they do their male counterparts.
Canapii's own data showed only a 2–4% difference between the number of female and male attendees at its virtual events, which typically had around 200–500 attendees. After analyzing a selection of these events, there was no huge disparity between the number of female and male attendees - some events even had more women attending than men.
The contrast with face-to-face conferences is striking. One of Canapii's largest clients previously had 75% male and 25% female attendees at their flagship conference before the pandemic. During their recent virtual event, with the same number of attendees, 52% were female and 48% male. This clearly shows how virtual and hybrid events mean greater inclusivity for women.
As the world faces another transition and many in-person conferences begin again, employees, conference organizers, and business owners are paying attention to their female associates. Instead of turning a blind eye to gender inequality at tech conferences, these establishments are hoping to maintain the upward trajectory of women speaking at and attending tech conferences. Hybrid formats help by keeping a remote route open for anyone who cannot travel, so inclusivity is not traded away for the return of face-to-face networking.
They remove the practical barriers of in-person attendance. Women can join from home around childcare and other commitments, use their own equipment, and participate on the same footing as every other attendee.
Ensono's Speak Up 2020 report highlighted missing baby changing facilities, inadequately sized podiums, and A/V equipment designed around traditional men's clothing - on top of companies being more inclined to send male employees in the first place.
Canapii's event data suggests it does. Across virtual events of around 200–500 attendees there was only a 2–4% difference between female and male attendance, and one large client moved from 75% male attendance at their in-person flagship conference to a near-even 52% female and 48% male split at the virtual edition.
Yes. Hybrid events combine an in-person experience with a full remote option, so attendees who cannot travel - or simply prefer to join from home - still get equal access to sessions, networking, and Q&A.
Canapii has powered 2,000+ events across 45+ countries since 2020, helping organizers run inclusive virtual, hybrid, and in-person experiences. Request a demo today to see how it can work for your next event.