Stacy Ritter is president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Convention & Visitors Bureau.
What are some simple ways men and women can be better allies to women at work?
This is such an important issue to me. Women need to spend more time empowering, mentoring and hiring other women. Men can recognize the need for and support flexible hours for employees with families. I believe we need to encourage female employees to set goals and focus on training and professional development. Our organizations will benefit from their increased knowledge, experience and growing leadership abilities.
How can businesses foster positive, inclusive work-life balance for employees?
We’re in the best kind of business to foster a good work-life balance. Here in Greater Fort Lauderdale, I encourage my employees to explore every aspect of our destination: Go experience our incredible restaurants, visit our art and cultural institutions and, of course, spend time on the beach. We play as hard as we work.
How can the event industry work to reduce its carbon footprint?
Encourage planners to use nearby vendors from the host community. We believe this gives local businesses a boost and helps them understand, value and appreciate the positive impacts of living in a tourism destination. And why not bring the local community to life for meeting attendees through use of locally sourced food prepared by resident chefs at signature dining venues.
What steps can be taken to create a mutually positive relationship between our planet and the event industry?
We should support the design and construction of sustainable meeting facilities and conference practices and promote those attributes. For example, our Broward County Convention Center holds LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) for Existing Buildings Gold certification. Our new, US$1 billion convention center expansion and new headquarters hotel are anticipated to be LEED Gold.
What steps can the event industry take to combat material overconsumption?
We like to encourage exhibitors to engage attendees through interactive experiences, augmented reality video and other new technology instead of paper-heavy collateral. You could also utilize temperature and lighting controls and technology that enhance comfort while controlling energy usage, utilize sustainable kitchen practices and increase recycling to the highest percentage possible.
