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Vice President, Operations Excellence
EMC Meetings & Events
Charlene Liu is Senior Director of Event Technology Experience at EMC Meetings & Events, with two decades' experience across the hospitality and events industry. Her background spans destination management, corporate and association planning, and third-party agency leadership, giving her a well-rounded perspective on the operational, technological and human elements that drive successful experiences.
Charlene holds an MA in Meeting & Event Management from San Diego State University and maintains her CMP, DMCP and Six Sigma Yellow Belt certifications.
Beyond her professional role, Charlene is committed to advancing the industry through volunteer leadership, mentorship and thought partnership. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the MPI Southeast Regional Council and as a Board Member of the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association.
Date
Inclusion has become a baseline expectation—but it doesn’t guarantee that attendees feel they truly belong. Belonging is what drives deeper engagement, stronger connection and lasting impact.
Explore the difference between inclusion and belonging, and why it matters for event performance. Through practical examples and industry insight, examine how event design, environment and collaboration influence belonging—and how creating it leads to stronger participation, loyalty and long-term value.
Learning outcomes:
Understand the difference between inclusion and belonging
Explore how belonging influences engagement and loyalty
Identify practical ways to design events where people feel valued and connected
Understand why inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a proven business strategy that strengthens event performance, attendee engagement and long‑term growth. Examine research showing how inclusive organizations outperform their peers and apply these insights directly to meetings, conventions and events. Explore how inclusive design attracts broader audiences and sponsors, improves attendee experience and enhances destination reputation. Gain practical ways to embed inclusive practices into event strategy, design and delivery so your events generate stronger, more measurable outcomes.
Learning outcomes:
Articulate the business value of inclusion when designing meetings and events
Incorporate practical inclusive strategies into event design and attendee experience
Align inclusion with measurable event and organizational outcomes to strengthen overall impact
Creating inclusive events goes beyond attracting diverse audiences. True impact happens when people feel welcomed, valued and able to participate fully.
LGBT Meeting Professionals Association explores how thoughtful event design fosters belonging, strengthens engagement and builds lasting community across the meetings industry.
Learning outcomes:
Examine how inclusive event design influences engagement and long‑term community building
Recognize barriers related to accessibility, cost, culture and identity that affect participation
Apply practical strategies to design meeting environments that encourage diverse voices