Leading up to International Women's Day, we spoke to key women in the meeting and event industry about their roles.

How do you manage stress?
I wanted to skip this question because I don’t always think I do it well. The truth is that it’s hard and it varies. Passion for my work propels me to find ways to manage through with some healthy, some silly and some laughable fixes, including wall pushups and meme making.

What have you learned from the challenges you have faced?
While I love efficiency, finding and implementing a solution without full acceptance from all stakeholders usually means you’ll be re-working it later. It’s often better to sit with things until they’re right. Timing is more than half the battle.

What strategies can help women achieve a more prominent role in our industry?
Work for leaders that value you and push you to be your best. When you’re at your best, you make the world better. Be visible. Take on roles that are pioneering—exemplifying where women should be: which is anywhere they want to be.

What’s the best advice someone gave you?
Understand the difference between collaboration and compromise; learning when to use each one. In compromising, sometimes you don’t get your way and other times you do—but a watered down version of it. Collaboration blends ideas and contributions—it can mean giving up something or getting something, but often it’s a hybrid of original intentions.

What are the biggest challenges facing our industry and what strategies do you recommend for addressing them?
Relationships are the foundation of our industry, yet we’re prioritizing efficiency over the zeal and human appeal that otherwise make our industry so special. Business opportunities, like destination decisions, are evaluated in mundane comparison grids that don’t allow for spirit to come through. Give things a sniff test of your own! Use data and tools, but use your instincts, too. It’s what differentiates you. Life has shown me there is little regret in going the extra mile.

BIO
Kelly Saling leads Visit Seattle’s convention development strategies on behalf of the Washington State Convention Center, which just broke ground on an exciting additional building, the Summit, opening in 2022.