EWM Foundations Workshop 5: Arrivals, Wayfinding & First Imp

The event experience doesn't begin when someone reaches the keynote, exhibition floor or networking space. It begins the moment they arrive.

For neurodivergent and sensory-sensitive attendees, those first few minutes can involve a huge amount of processing: finding the right entrance, navigating security, understanding registration, locating facilities, interpreting signage, dealing with queues and crowds, and working out where to go next.

When arrival feels confusing or unpredictable, stress can build before the event has even really begun.

In this practical workshop, we'll explore how thoughtful arrival experiences, clear wayfinding and human support can reduce uncertainty, cognitive load and sensory overwhelm — helping attendees feel safer, more confident and more able to engage with the event itself.

We'll look at the whole arrival journey through a neuroinclusive lens, from approaching the venue and entering the building to registration, orientation and finding that all-important first destination.

✅ Why first impressions matter for neurodivergent attendees

✅ Understanding the cognitive and sensory load of arriving at an event

✅ Creating predictable and reassuring arrival experiences

✅ Registration, queues, security and accreditation

✅ Designing clear, consistent and accessible wayfinding

✅ The importance of landmarks, maps and visual information

✅ Human signage - why visible, approachable people can sometimes be more valuable than another sign

✅ Helping attendees recover when they become lost, confused or overwhelmed

✅ Practical low-cost and no-cost improvements that can transform the arrival experience

• A better understanding of the attendee arrival journey through a neuroinclusive lens

• Practical ways to reduce uncertainty and cognitive load

• Ideas for improving registration, signage and wayfinding

• Strategies for making human support more visible and approachable

• A simple framework for reviewing your own attendee arrival experience

• Clear actions you can implement at your next event

This session is grounded in lived experience, real-world event delivery and the practical lessons EventWell has learned supporting neurodivergent attendees across conferences, exhibitions, festivals and live events.

You don't need a huge accessibility budget to create a better welcome. Sometimes the biggest difference is simply making it easier for someone to answer three questions:

Am I in the right place?

Where do I need to go?

Who can I ask if I'm not sure?

Duration: 60 minutes
Member Price: £12.50 per person
Non Member Price: £37.50 per person
Replay and resources included

1. Workshop 1: Where Are You Now? Building the Foundations of Neuroinclusive Events

2. Workshop 2: Understanding Neurodivergent Attendees – Designing Events for Different Brains

3. Workshop 3: Sensory Overload: Understanding the Event Environment

4. Workshop 4: Registration, Information & Communications

5. Workshop 5: Arrivals, Wayfinding & First Impressions

6. Workshop 6: Designing Exhibition & Conference Spaces

7. Workshop 7: Networking Without Overwhelm

8. Workshop 8: Quiet Rooms, Sensory Spaces & Wellbeing Support

9. Workshop 9: Training Teams & Building Psychological Safety

10. Workshop 10: Creating Your Neuroinclusive Event Action Plan