Belonging by Design:
Creating Psychological Safety at Every Stage of Your Event
On-Demand
This course equips event leaders with a strategic framework to design psychological safety and belonging into every phase of the event lifecycle—driving deeper engagement, participation, and measurable outcomes.
CE Hours
Earn 5 continuing education units
Modules
5 modules of content
Format
On-Demand
What You'll Learn
This course equips event leaders with a strategic framework to design psychological safety and belonging into every phase of the event lifecycle—driving deeper engagement, participation, and measurable outcomes.
Course Outline
Belonging by Design
- Define Belonging. Specifically within an event context — not just organizationally
- Distinguish Inclusion Types. Policy-level structural access vs. behavioral daily climate
- Identify Micro-Behaviors. Spot micro-affirmations and micro-exclusions in real time
- Shape Psychological Safety. Understand how micro-behaviors build — or erode — belonging
Before the Event: Designing Belonging
- Evaluate Event Marketing. Specifically within an event context — not just organizationally
- Identify Structural Exclusions. Spot where planning processes exclude before the event begins.
- Apply Inclusive Design Principles. Use belonging-centered frameworks in pre-event planning decisions
During the Event: Micro-Behaviors
- Recognize Live Microaggressions. Identify real-time dismissals, interruptions, and exclusions as they occur.
- Apply Intervention Strategies. Use the 5 D’s bystander framework to respond in the moment.
- Facilitate Equitable Dialogue. Ensure all voices are heard and power dynamics are actively named.
- Manage Power Dynamics in Panels. Address interruptions, idea theft, and authority hierarchies directly.
After the Event: Sustaining Belonging
- Measure Belonging. Move beyond satisfaction surveys to meaningful belonging metrics.
- Practice Relational Accountability. Follow through in ways that signal your event was designed for them.
- Design Inclusive Follow-Up. Build post-event communications that extend the belonging experience.
- Connect Belonging to ROI. Understand why belonging data drives return, referrals, and long-term trust.
Individual Behavior to Cultural Shift
- Connect Micro to Macro. See how individual behaviors accumulate into organizational culture.
- Embed Belonging in SOPs. Redesign operational systems to make belonging the default.
- Build Accountability Structures. Create measurable, time-bound belonging commitments.
- Sustain Cultural Change. Develop a personal action plan that outlasts any single event.
How This Course Works
This course is delivered entirely on-demand, so you can learn at your own pace — no set schedule required. Whether you have 20 minutes or two hours, you can move through the content when it works best for you and revisit key lessons as many times as you need.
Pre-recorded Modules
Move through the course with on-demand video lessons crafted and delivered by an industry expert — giving you direct access to honed, real-world insight whenever you're ready for it.
Course Access Window
You'll have access to this course for one year (365 days) from the date of enrollment, giving you plenty of time to work through the content at your own pace. Need more time? Extended access is available for an additional fee — just reach out to our team to request an extension.
Counts Toward Your CMP
PCMA Institute is recognized by the Events Industry Council (EIC) as a Preferred Provider of continuing education. Completing this course qualifies for CMP continuing education credit, so every hour you invest moves your certification forward.
Learn From An Industry Expert
Dr. Tanisha King
Strategic Advisor, Educator & Consultant
Dr. Tanisha King is a licensed social worker, executive strategist, and educator who partners with organizations to build cultures of belonging, psychological safety, and sustainable leadership.
With over 15 years of senior leadership experience—including serving as a Chief Inclusion Officer—Dr. King brings a unique blend of lived experience and research-informed expertise to her work. She helps leaders translate understanding into actionable systems, practices, and behaviors that strengthen team connection, communication, and organizational trust.
As a strategic advisor, Dr. King works alongside executive teams, associations, and leaders to design long-term learning strategies, develop high-impact training experiences, and foster environments where people feel seen, supported, and safe to do their best work. Her approach is practical, rigorous, and results-oriented, moving organizations from awareness to sustained cultural growth.
Ready to Level Up?
We want to make sure you're getting the best price available to you. PCMA and CEMA members, as well as Institute subscribers, automatically receive a discount — no codes needed. Simply log in at checkout and your savings will be applied based on your account.
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Satisfaction Guarantee
The PCMA Institute stands behind all of its content. If you feel you didn’t learn what you expected to in this course, just let us know within 30 days of your last lesson and we’ll give you a full refund. Full terms & conditions apply.
