The Ultimate Employee Resource Group (ERG) Event Planning Checklist

You’ve just established your Employee Resource Group (ERG). You created its mission statement, found an executive sponsor, and rounded up your ERG leaders. 

But now, it’s time to plan your ERG event, and if you're a bit overwhelmed with where to begin, you’re not alone!

Planning an ERG event that is immersive, empowering, and educational can be easier said than done. But at its core, what matters most is that your attendees leave feeling both supported and like a valuable asset to the company.

If you’re unsure of where to start with your ERG event, have no fear! We’ve gathered the most essential aspects in making your Employee Resource Group event a success.

What Your ERG Event Planning Checklist Needs to be Successful

A successful ERG should have clear goals and measurable results. They should support cultural and business goals, convey core values, and capture the hearts of your allies.

To ensure you get all of that across with flying colors, be sure to check the following items off of your list of to-dos before your event. 

• Support Black, LatinX, APA, LGBTQ+, and Women-Owned Venues

Every corporate event needs a venue, and what’s a better way to demonstrate your devotion to your ERG’s cause than supporting the marginalized groups that you stand for? 

Supporting black, Latinx, APA, LGBTQ+, and women-owned venues tells your ERG members that you aren’t just all talk — you’re walking that walk! This will add on a whole new layer of credibility and trust that will effectively start your event off on the right foot. 

Not only that, you’ll get that warm and cozy feeling that comes with supporting communities that matter to you the most. 

• Incorporate activities that are culturally relevant

Incorporating games and activities ensures that your ERG event is engaging and impactful. It’s a way for members to learn and connect with each other in a fun and natural way.

Culturally relevant activities will help showcase your ERG’s core principles while also embodying the goals and desires of your members. The more your event can align with all of your member’s concerns and goals, the more likely they will be there for the next one.

Some fun and relevant event activity ideas are:

• A virtual game show on women’s history and rights.

• A film screening on the cultural impact of the black community. 

• A cooking class making LatinX cuisine.

• A queer art storytelling tour. 

• Support brands that look like the communities you serve

If your ERG event involves goodie bags, prizes, or equipment. Go the extra mile and support brands that represent the communities you serve. 

Whether it’s a wine and cheese basket raffle prize from a black-owned business, T-shirts with your group logo designed by a trans entrepreneur, or a virtual swag bag full of women-owned brands, there are so many ways to show your support.

Advocating for these businesses will show your ERG members that you are, quite literally, invested in your cause, making your community even stronger in the process. 

• Include feedback so you can better plan the next event

Finding a way to collect feedback is the best way to improve your ERG events with time because it provides you with measurable results to work from.

You can gather feedback by simply creating a survey that your attendees can fill out either at the end of or shortly after the event.

For instance, if your survey results show that multiple people would have preferred to receive the agenda before the event, you’ve got the insight needed to send it out earlier and do better next time!

An ERG Event to Remember

ERG events should always be slightly better than the last. As the events progress, so should the relationships between your community members. 

When planning an ERG event, it’s easy to get caught up in all the technicalities, and not everyone has the time and energy to plan such an important event. 

At Happied, we can be your lifeline. Our expert planners come up with fun, innovative ideas that meet all of your criteria to throw an event worth celebrating!

Sign up today to start planning your amazing ERG event for FREE!