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# Why are most of the panellists and speakers at coworking conferences men?
- URL: https://berniejmitchell.com/why-are-most-of-the-panellists-and/
- Published: 2023-08-22T12:07:31.000Z
- Updated: 2023-08-22T12:07:31.000Z
- Description: This post is about “representation” at conferences, rather than “diversity”, so please consider that as you read.
- Author: Bernie J Mitchell
- Tags: coworking, #bernie-j-mitchell, Newsletter, #Migrated-1772909644287, #Import 2026-03-07 19:56

> *(Scroll to the end of this post for your 🤖 Bonus Pro tip!)*

# **⍰ What do we know women do in the coworking industry?**

✅ Most of the podcasts in the coworking industry are hosted by women

✅ Most of the books in the coworking industry are written or co-authored by women

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✅ Every week women are writing about coworking in our industry publications

✅ Most of the online coworking courses are created and hosted by women

✅ Women create and host the majority of online membership communities

✅ Women run A LOT of coworking spaces

✅ Women have founded and own A LOT of coworking spaces  

> *🤦🏻‍♂️ Yet when we get to the opening keynote speakers and panels at a conference it’s just men EVERYWHERE!*  

## **This post is about “representation” at conferences, rather than “diversity”, so please consider that as you read.**

**⍰ Does the data below represent the coworking industry in Europe?**

## **⚠️ One 2023 conference which has:**

60 people speaking

\-38 Men

\-22 women

\-ONE male person of colour

## **⚠️ Another 2023 conference has**

\-10 people speaking in one day

\-6 men

\-4 women

\-ONE male person of colour

## **⚠️ Another previous conference**

\-20 White Men

\-5 White Women (2 of those women were hosting the event!)

\-0 people of colour

⛔️ The under-representation in 2023 is devastating.

# **✅ My call to action for my fellow males**

If you’re a man, and you get asked to speak at a conference, question and ask about the diversity of the panel.

If you are not helping to create a diverse panel, please decline.

This is a super easy step that we as men can take to help ensure gender representation.

We also need to consider race, gender, accessibility and differently abled.

> *If you think you have tackled “diversity” and someone still needs to ask you about it, you’ve missed something.*

In my career, I have organized more than a thousand events, workshops, and meetups. I often felt that my choice of speakers and topics was exceptional.🤣

However, I have often found it necessary to reevaluate my decisions in order to place greater emphasis on inclusion, diversity, accessibility, and equity.

And even now I still have blind spots in these areas that I need to have spelt out to me.

# **🤖Bonus Pro tip!**

🤖Put this prompt into #ChatGPT and see what the answer is:

“Why are there always more male than female speakers at coworking conferences?”

#coworking #coworkinglondon #ukcoworking #15minutecity #coworkingspace #coworkingcommunity #eventprofs

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