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Head of External Engagement
Australian Psychological Society
Paula Rowntree is Head of External Engagement at the Australian Psychological Society and a consultant and trainer specializing in cognitive diversity and AI applications for event professionals.
She works with associations, corporate clients, conference organizers, venues, destinations and PCOs to design accessible, neurodivergent-inclusive experiences and integrate AI tools into event workflows.
Paula is the lead architect of the Australian Psychological Society’s Neurodivergent-Inclusive Event Guidelines, co-developed with clinical psychologist Angela North and co-endorsed by the American Psychological Association. Through this work, she has trained event professionals around the world on practical, budget-conscious inclusion strategies.
She also leads the APS Endorsed program, which provides independent third-party validation for event products and services, giving her unique insight into what makes inclusive event design both commercially viable and attractive to partners.
Paula regularly speaks and writes on neurodivergent accessibility, inclusive event design and the strategic use of AI in events.
Date
Every great event starts with smart planning, clear coordination and attention to detail. Discover how Spark’s 100-plus modules and tasks can help you streamline logistics and stay ahead of deadlines. From building supplier RFPs and managing run sheets to briefing venues and balancing budgets, Spark can turn admin into fast, accurate outputs. Leave with practical workflows designed for real event challenges—so you can spend less time on manual tasks and more time creating standout experiences.
Event professionals know that data and marketing both demand time, attention and clarity. See how Spark’s Data Analysis tools cut through the noise—summarizing surveys, highlighting trends and evaluating feedback in seconds. Explore Spark’s Marketing modules, where you can instantly repurpose content into campaigns, build audience-specific messaging and create posts, press releases and sponsorship proposals at speed. Together, these tools show how Spark’s 100-plus modules and tasks can deliver sharper insights and stronger outreach—without the manual workload.
Co-designed by the Australian and American Psychological Societies, these world-first guidelines set a new standard for creating truly neurodivergent inclusive events. Explore how the framework can be applied in practice to design certified, welcoming and genuinely inclusive experiences for neurodivergent attendees.
Learning outcomes:
Understand the key elements of the APS–APA neurodivergent inclusive guidelines and how they apply across event design, delivery and communication
Explore a real-world case study illustrating how to implement inclusive practices—from sensory-friendly environments to session formats that support diverse cognitive needs
Identify actionable steps to begin designing certified neurodivergent inclusive experiences at your own events, regardless of budget or event size
This session is approved for the following certifications.
* ICCA Skills Domain CICS/CICE: Module 7: Building the Value and Impact of the Convention Industry, 0.75 credits
* CMP/CEU Approved: Domain C: Sustainability and Social Impact Plan
* CSEP Approved