There can surely be no argument that the more inclusive we can be at events, the better. It’s a no-brainer. However, in my opinion, inclusivity should not come at the expense of other delegates’ satisfaction or enjoyment.
As an example, let’s take the relatively recent phenomenon of vegan-only menus at events. The justification is usually a combination of lower carbon impact, ethical considerations, and operational efficiency.
Sustainability
As one of the most carbon intensive industries, events should absolutely be taking a more sustainable approach to conference delivery. An oft-cited study published in Nature in 2023 (Scarborough et al, 2023) showed that even vegan diets that rely more heavily on foods with higher food miles are substantially kinder to the environment than those based on animal products. From an environmental perspective, the argument is compelling.
Ethical considerations
Around 2 percent of the UK population is vegan, but this is dwarfed by the 73 percent who identify as meat eaters. Despite claims to the contrary, YouGov statistics published in 2026 suggest that the proportion of vegans in the UK has remained relatively static over the past six years.
There is also growing concern among many adults about ultra processed foods. Vegan food often contains a higher proportion of UPFs, which can be at odds with the desire to eat in a more balanced, less processed way.
Operational efficiency
It is often claimed that offering a vegan menu across an entire event simplifies delivery, reducing dietary complexity by aiming for the lowest common denominator. From an operational standpoint, I understand why this can be attractive, but in my experience most venues already manage complex and varying dietary needs effectively.
However…
What effect is this having on your organisations’ engagement with your guests?
My personal experience is that I generally find vegan food less satisfying than meat-based or even dairy-based options.
In December, someone described vegan catering to me as a “brown paste menu”, and in many venues that description sadly rings true. I also feel alienated when the choice is taken away from me entirely. If I am representative of 73 percent of your event audience, that is a problem.
Like many of my colleagues, I see food as an integral part of a celebratory event experience. I can get that sense of occasion from meat-based dishes, even the mediocre ones. I have never had that same feeling from an entirely plant-based menu. Food culture is deeply entwined with events as a form of celebration. If you remove that association, or weaken the perceived value of the experience, there is a very real risk of putting delegates off attending future events.
So let’s find compromises. Offer part vegan menus, or choose one or two meals at your conference to be completely vegan. Better still, just share the information necessary to allow delegates to make an informed choice on what they eat. Remember, it’s their event, not yours.