Kelly Saling (MPI Washington State Chapter) is vice president, convention sales and services for Visit Seattle. She leads convention development strategies on behalf of the Washington State Convention Center, which opens its additional facility, the Summit, in Spring 2022.

How can the event industry be used as a platform to reduce income, gender and socioeconomic inequalities?

Events and travel have the ability to push boundaries of what’s familiar, giving power to us all to discover new places, concepts and people. An event in a new spot, or one with diverse speakers, ultimately helps break down barriers, facilitates learning and advancement and better connects us all.

How can the event industry work to reduce its CO2 transportation emissions?

Public transportation is our friend! Encourage attendees to use alternative ways to get around the city and to different events—bikes, scooters, light rail—all can offer attendees new experiences and cut down on CO2 transportation emissions.

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

Be the type of employee, colleague and customer you wish you had—responsive, helpful and positive. When you’re honest about timing, abilities and needs, expectations are better set and understood and less follow-up is needed, which should contribute to less email that keeps us tethered to our devices.

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

We’re in hospitality—make room at the table! Being an ally to women starts with being inclusive to all people. Beyond gender, prioritizing diversity makes us better. Put out to the world the kind of inclusivity you want in return—model wonderful behavior.

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

We sometimes make it harder, more expensive and more complicated to choose environmentally sustainable practices. For example, attendees need simplified ways to dispose of things—not confusion or ambiguity on pieces that are waste vs. recycle vs. composting. If it’s simple, more people will do it, and do it properly!