Join us for a landmark evening as we celebrate 20 years of Workplace Pride and honour the people and organisations who have transformed workplaces through courage, leadership and action.
Icons of Inclusion
Celebrating the Past. Building the Future.
6 November 2026
Beurs van Berlage | Amsterdam
This special anniversary gala is a tribute to the advocates, ambassadors, members, partners and allies who have championed LGBTIQ+ inclusion over the past two decades. Together, we celebrate the collective impact of a global community that has helped make workplaces more inclusive, equitable and welcoming for all.
Because true icons are not defined by fame. They are defined by the difference they make.
A Night of Inclusion, Influence & Inspiration
Set within the historic grandeur of the Beurs van Berlage, one of Amsterdam’s most iconic venues, this extraordinary evening will bring together leaders, advocates and ambassadors for a celebration of progress and possibility.
Inspired by the glamour of 1920s Paris, the evening will transform the venue into a world of Art Deco elegance — featuring velvet textures, golden details, atmospheric lighting, live entertainment and the unmistakable energy of a grand gala.
Join Us
Be part of an unforgettable evening celebrating the people who shaped the past, inspire the present and will build the future.
Dress to impress.
Celebrate the past.
Recognise the present.
Build the future.
Celebrating LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion
The 2026 Workplace Pride Global Benchmark highlights organisations leading the way in LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion — recognising progress, sharing best practices, and inspiring continued change.
🏆 Advocate organisations
Organisations scoring above 90% achieve Advocate status, setting a high standard for LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion.
New Advocates
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Lenovo
Returning Advocates
- De Nederlandsche Bank
- ING
- McKinsey & Company
- PwC
- RELX
- Shell
- Sodexo
- Unilever
⭐ Ambassador organisations
Organisations scoring 70–90% are recognised as Ambassadors:
- Aegon Ltd.
- Ministerie van EZK en LVVN
- Robeco
🎉 Celebrating our Advocates & Ambassadors
All Advocate and Ambassador organisations will receive an award at the Workplace Pride Gala on 6 November.
This is an opportunity to celebrate their achievements, recognise their commitment to LGBTIQ+ workplace inclusion, and bring our community together to mark their progress.
Progress worth celebrating
The 2026 Benchmark also highlights strong progress across new and returning participants.
Eneco increased its score by more than 20% compared with 2025, demonstrating measurable progress and a continued commitment to LGBTIQ+ inclusion.
🥇 Sector leaders
The highest-scoring organisations in each sector are:
- Private Sector & Services: McKinsey & Company
- Public Sector & Public Administration: De Nederlandsche Bank
- Manufacturing: Unilever
- Healthcare, Pharma & Biotech: Kite Pharma EU B.V.
- Financial & Insurance: ING
- Information & Communication: RELX
- Transportation & Storage: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Construction, Engineering, Energy & Utilities: Shell
- Top-scoring Academic Institution: Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Top-scoring Government Organisation: Ministerie van EZK en LVVN
Celebrating the Icons Who Changed the Workplace
For 20 years, Workplace Pride has championed LGBTQ+ inclusion and helped organisations turn commitment into action.
This evening recognises those who made progress possible:
🏆 Volunteer of the Year
🏆 Role Model of the Year
🏆 Media Outreach Award
🏆 Ally of the Year
🏆 Network of the Year
🏆 Members’ Choice Game Changer Award
📅 Nominate someone
All nominations must be submitted by 4 October at 18:00.
Make sure every deserving candidate has the opportunity to be recognised — submit your nomination before the deadline.
Game Changer of the Year
We are pleased to announce the 2026 Members’ Choice – Game Changer Award, recognising exceptional contributions and achievements in workplace diversity and inclusion.
The award celebrates initiatives from our members that create meaningful societal impact for the LGBTIQ+ community and demonstrate how workplace inclusion can drive positive change.
How can I nominate?
From 20 October 2026, members will be invited to nominate an initiative, programme or project that deserves recognition as Game Changer of the Year 2026.
Nomination period:
20 October – 2 November 2026, 18:00 CET
No submissions will be accepted after the deadline.
What happens next?
Following the nomination period, the nominated initiatives will be reviewed and the finalists will be shared with our members.
Members will then have the opportunity to vote for their one favourite nomination.
Only one vote per organisation is permitted.
Getting to Beurs van Berlage
Beurs van Berlage is located in the heart of Amsterdam at Damrak 243, just 300 metres from Amsterdam Central Station — around a 5-minute walk.
By Train
Amsterdam Centraal is the easiest option.
From the station:
- Exit towards Damrak / city centre
- Walk along Damrak
- The Beurs van Berlage is approximately 5 minutes away
If travelling from Schiphol Airport, direct trains to Amsterdam Centraal take approximately 15–20 minutes.
By Metro
You can travel to Amsterdam Centraal by metro and walk approximately 5 minutes to the venue.
If travelling on the North–South Metro Line, get off at Rokin. From Rokin, the Beurs is approximately a 5-minute walk towards Dam Square/Damrak.
By Tram
There is a tram stop directly opposite the Beurs on Damrak.
There are also tram stops around Dam Square, approximately 5 minutes from the venue.
By Bus
Bus stops are available near De Bijenkorf and around Dam Square, both within a short walking distance of the Beurs.
By Taxi
You can give the driver:
Beurs van Berlage
Damrak 243
1012 ZJ Amsterdam
The venue advises that taxis can access the area around the Beurs. From Schiphol, a taxi journey takes approximately 25 minutes, depending on traffic.
By Car
Driving into central Amsterdam can be challenging, particularly because of ongoing roadworks and restricted access.
The nearest parking garage is Q-Park Bijenkorf. The venue recommends Parking Centrum Oosterdok, which is approximately a 15-minute walk from the Beurs and offers EV charging facilities.
♿ Accessibility
The Beurs van Berlage is accessible to visitors with disabilities and has adapted facilities, including elevators and accessible restrooms.
Tip: For the most up-to-date tram, metro and bus routes on the evening of the event, check the GVB Journey Planner before travelling, as routes and services can change.
Nomination Criteria: Celebrating Excellence and Inclusivity
In the spirit of fairness and transparency, the criteria for the 2026 Workplace Pride Impact Awards have been designed to ensure uniformity across all awards. We kindly request all nominating members to address each criterion in their submissions. These same criteria will be rigorously employed in the selection process to uphold transparency and integrity. Below you will find the criteria breakdown.
Impact (50%)
Nominees should vividly showcase the measurable and tangible significance of their contributions to either LGBTIQ+ or the broader LGBTIQ+ community. How has their endeavour made a substantial difference? Highlighting quantifiable outcomes is essential.
Visibility (30%)
Visibility serves as a barometer of influence. Nominations should shed light on how the nominee’s efforts were within their organisation and beyond. The extent to which their work transcends boundaries matters.
Courage (20%)
Nominate those who dared to challenge the status quo. Highlight the extent to which nominees pushed existing boundaries to achieve their goals. Courageous actions often pave the way for groundbreaking change.
NOMINATION PROCEDURE
1. Submitting Nominations
Any individual or grouping from Workplace Pride member organisations can submit nominations (including for yourself!) via the link below. Please note that submissions must be no more than 300 words and adhere to this format to be considered.
2. Selection Process
Three nominees from each category that best fit the established criteria (above) will be pre-selected by a jury consisting of Workplace Pride representatives and published on the Workplace Pride website. The LGBTIQ+ 2026 Members Choice – Game Changer Award will be voted on by the members after the nominations have been received.
3. Announcement Winners
The winners will be selected by Workplace Pride Advisory Board Members and be announced at the Impact Awards Gala at Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam on Friday, 6 November, 2026.
