NEWSLETTER
Poughkeepsie
, NY: Arts Mid-Hudson will present Accessible Events from Start to Finish, a virtual professional development workshop led by Lauren Beale, Consumer Services & Tourism Programs Manager at Destination Dutchess, on Thursday, November 12, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Designed for tourism, arts, and culture professionals, the workshop will explore practical ways to create welcoming and inclusive experiences for guests of all abilities. Participants will learn how to incorporate accessibility into every stage of event planning, from selecting a venue and offering accessible online registration to setting up event spaces and gathering feedback through surveys.
Beale will be joined by Melanie Rottkamp, Colleen Dorney, and a small panel of industry partners who will share their experiences and insights. Together, they will offer practical tips, helpful resources, and strategies participants can apply to their own events.
Whether planning a festival, performance, tour, or community gathering, participants will gain tools and ideas to help make accessibility an integral part of the planning process and create experiences where everyone feels welcome and able to participate.
The workshop is intended for professionals and requires a $5 refundable deposit. The deposit will be refunded to participants who attend the session. If a participant cancels or does not attend, the deposit will be retained. Refunds will be issued within five days.
Workshop Details
Accessible Events from Start to Finish
Thursday, November 12, 2026
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom
$5 refundable deposit
Instructor: Lauren Beale, with Melanie Rottkamp, Colleen Dorney, and additional industry partners
For Registration and additional information: https://www.artsmidhudson.org/workshops
Lauren Beale is the Consumer Services & Tourism Programs Manager at Destination Dutchess. She has worked closely with Wheel the World to further the Accessible Dutchess initiative, supporting efforts to make the region more welcoming and accessible to visitors of all abilities.
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Arts Mid-Hudson is the leading nonprofit arts service organization dedicated to enriching the Mid-Hudson region through the arts. Since 1964, Arts Mid-Hudson has been at the forefront of initiatives that engage and promote the arts, providing invaluable support and resources to artists, arts organizations, and communities. Through a diverse array of programs and services, Arts Mid-Hudson fosters creativity, cultural expression, and community development, reinforcing the essential role that the arts play in enhancing the quality of life throughout the region.