DE&I Forum

Welcome & Introductions (11:00 - 11:25AM ET)
Karim Amadeo - Director - ANA

I. Basketball Is For Everyone (11:25 - 12:05PM)
Diversity, equality and inclusion have long been core to the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) core values. Diversity is a business imperative and representation matters – these principles only work if an organization creates an inclusive work environment and authentically embeds DEI into its policies, practices and programs.

Amid the racial reckoning of 2020, employees across industries demanded action from their employers to strengthen their practices and address social justice issues. During this time, the NBA took another look at its mission and further developed its commitments to DEI and social impact across a number of initiatives.

Learn how this sports league works to institutionalize diversity, equity and inclusion across its business.

Speaker:
Melissa Palarea, Associate Vice President of D&I- NBA

II. LEGOLAND Resorts Commitment to Neurodiversity and Accessibility (12:05 - 12:50PM ET)
By the end of next of March, all three U.S. LEGOLAND Resorts will officially be Certified Autism Centers, joining a growing number of theme parks working to improve accessibility for guests who are neurodiverse or have sensory issues.

At least one in 44 children is autistic according to the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. To qualify for certification, at least 80% of staff must be trained and certified by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), which is guided by both autistic self-advocates and other experts.

Among other vital efforts, LEGOLAND Resorts has been developing rides thinking about the importance of kid accessibility.

Speaker:
Dragan Dimov, Head of Marketing- LEGOLAND New York Resort
Kelly Hornick, Head of Marketing & Communications - LEGOLAND Florida Resort

Session Debrief & Closing Remarks (12:50 - 1:00PM ET)
Karim Amadeo, Director - ANA