Case Study: Cvent
Executive Summary
As a global industry-leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider, Cvent has long understood that creating inclusive experiences is essential to delivering successful events. As accessibility expectations grew, particularly among clients in highly regulated industries, Cvent recognized the need to validate and communicate its accessibility progress with credibility and transparency.
To support this goal, Cvent partnered with TPGi to perform accessibility audits and produce Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPATs). TPGi’s strong reputation in digital accessibility gave Cvent the confidence to present independent external validation that clients could trust.
These deliverables help Cvent meet procurement requirements and align internal teams around measurable accessibility goals.
About Cvent
Cvent is a leading meetings, events, and hospitality technology provider. Tens of thousands of organizations worldwide rely on Cvent technology to power their in-person and virtual events, ranging from small field marketing events or online webinars to multi-day marquee conferences.
Cvent prioritized inclusive design and development as a core differentiator and business requirement, aiming to create accessible conference experiences for all.
The Challenge
Cvent’s accessibility efforts began organically, but they soon became more formalized in response to:
- Rising client demand for accessible platforms
- The need to meet compliance expectations (like the ADA, EAA, Section 508)
- An expanding product suite with varying levels of accessibility maturity
Additionally, increased customer demand prompted Cvent to ensure its platforms could meet modern accessibility expectations, both in experience and documentation. This was especially important during enterprise sales cycles when procurement teams request formal proof of accessibility efforts.
Cvent needed to:
- Partner with an established accessibility expert to conduct trusted audits of key platforms and workflows
- Provide documentation (VPATs) aligned with client procurement requirements
- Work with a recognized expert whom clients would already know and trust
Partner Selection Process
Cvent selected TPGi based on:
- Recognized authority in accessibility audits and compliance
- Deep familiarity with WCAG and regulatory standards (e.g., Section 508, ADA, EAA)
- Trust in the marketplace, helping Cvent proactively address client questions and procurement scrutiny
TPGi stood out for its audit and VPAT process, which provided Cvent with clear, standards-based documentation that enterprise clients could rely on. By making accessibility progress easier to demonstrate during procurement conversations and RFPs. TPGi exceeded expectations and was selected as Cvent’s long-term partner.
The Solution
Accessibility Audits to Validate Progress
To help Cvent understand how its products met accessibility standards, TPGi conducted focused audits on key user experiences and interfaces. These assessments identified areas of alignment with WCAG criteria and opportunities for improvement.
The audit findings gave Cvent a detailed snapshot of accessibility performance grounded in an objective, expert evaluation.
Clear Documentation to Support Client Conversations
Based on the audit findings, TPGi produced VPATs documenting accessibility conformance in a format recognized by procurement teams. These standardized, client-facing reports gave procurement teams and stakeholders the clarity and confidence they needed.
These deliverables helped Cvent:
- Proactively respond to client accessibility inquiries
- Simplify the RFP process
- Reinforce its commitment to accessibility in a credible, standardized way
These VPATs have become a key asset in Cvent’s efforts to communicate accessibility status transparently and consistently.
VPAT as a Strategic Tool
Rather than treating VPATs as an administrative afterthought, Cvent (guided by TPGi) used VPATs as:
- A catalyst for process maturity: VPATs prompted teams to reexamine accessibility issues that needed further attention, even after initial audits.
- A trust-building asset: Cvent used VPATs to provide clients with clear validation from a recognized accessibility expert, reinforcing confidence in its commitment to inclusive digital experiences.
- An accountability mechanism: Having accurate, up-to-date VPATs ensured accessibility considerations stayed visible and actionable across internal conversations.
“VPATs aren’t just paperwork; they were key milestones for maturing our organization’s accessibility journey.”
— Stephen Cutchins, Sr. Manager of Product Management, Cvent
By embedding VPAT production into their agile cycles, Cvent didn’t just say they cared about accessibility; they proved it.
Defining ‘Done’
With TPGi’s support, Cvent created an accessibility-inclusive definition of done, transforming accessibility from a nice-to-have into a non-negotiable product quality standard.
The Results
Thanks to the partnership with TPGi, Cvent was able to:
- Back up its accessibility claims with credibility
- Respond more effectively to procurement requirements
- Support client trust by delivering clear, standards-aligned documentation
- Establish a repeatable model for accessibility validation in the future
“One of the big wins was redefining what done means. Accessibility is now part of the definition. That’s not just a development detail; it’s a product commitment.”
— Stephen Cutchins, Sr. Manager of Product Management, Cvent
Long-Term Impact
Cvent’s work with TPGi has helped the company strengthen its communication of accessibility progress to clients and stakeholders. By leveraging comprehensive accessibility audits and detailed VPATs, Cvent can clearly document where its platforms align with accessibility standards and where improvements are being made.
This approach has supported Cvent’s broader goal of making accessibility a consistent part of how its digital experiences are evaluated, improved, and shared with clients, particularly in regulated industries where transparency matters.
Cvent continues to expand its partnership with TPGi to ensure consistent, high-quality, and accessible digital event experiences for all users because accessibility is no longer just a requirement. It’s a differentiator.