Chris Flatt is executive vice president, hotel sales and marketing for Wynn Las Vegas and Encore.

How can businesses foster positive, inclusive work-life balance for employees?

I tend to ask myself this: If you stripped away all of the benefits and perks that are different at every workplace that claim to help create work-life balance, what could anyone do with even the most basic equipment or HR policies? To me, the answer is as simple as being human. Anyone can be kind, respectful and understanding of someone else’s time, workload and approach.

What steps can the event industry take to combat material consumption and overconsumption?

Committing to a bigger goal is the first and most important step, like producing a zero-waste event. Then take a deep dive into how the most important elements can be improved, like energy-efficiency, recycling, plastic abatement, responsible food sourcing and recycling. And if you find yourself in doubt, go without.

What are some simple ways men can be better allies to women at work?

I’m fascinated by Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, and her answer to the question of what men can do to improve a woman’s life at work, which was “stop making assumptions.” Everyone needs to remember that we are all on the same team, all working towards the same goal.

What are ways we can engage meeting participants in creating more sustainable events?

One of the big-picture ways is for host venues to create sustainable options for planners to incorporate into their events that eventually trickle down to participants. This can be as simple as eliminating single-use plastics or as robust as creating an energy offset program, like we offer to clients at Wynn Las Vegas. Whatever path is chosen, it is imperative these efforts are promoted to participants, especially if they are being asked to alter a behavior.

Considering your skillset and current role, what steps can be taken to create a mutually positive relationship between our planet and the event industry?

Having a standardized definition of what “being sustainable” in the event industry means would be helpful. Sustainability can often be viewed as more of a concept—as opposed to measurable programs—which can make for wide and ambiguous definitions that vary from company to company.