New Design Ideas

This article critically examines the issue of harassment against women in the context of networking events and proposes design-based strategies focused on prevention, safety and holistic improvements to the attendee experience. It aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on how design can foster more inclusive spaces by recognizing and addressing the diverse needs of those who inhabit them. While networking events are often celebrated as dynamic platforms for building strategic relationships, exchanging knowledge and nurturing collaboration, their hybrid structure - blending formal programming with informal social interaction, often accompanied by alcohol consumption - has exposed underlying patterns of gender-based harassment. Drawing on qualitative research and ethnographic immersion within a Mexican company that organizes professional events, this study identifies critical design failures that contribute to these experiences. Using tools such as empathy maps, user archetypes and customer journey diagrams, the research reveals that incidents initially perceived as isolated are, in fact, part of a broader systemic issue. This issue is perpetuated by the normalization of alcohol-fueled behavior, the lack of clear safety protocols and the insufficient training of staff to handle sensitive situations. The article advances a set of pragmatic, user-centered design interventions intended to address these gaps. Its central argument is that safety and inclusion must not be treated as add-ons but embedded as core principles in the design of professional social spaces. By doing so, networking environments can evolve into truly inclusive, empathetic and equitable platforms that reflect the complexity and diversity of their participants.