Visit Seattle announced the promotion of hospitality veteran Kelly Saling to SVP/Chief Sales Officer – the most elevated sales role in the organization.
Navigating the convention sales and services team through pandemic recovery and opening the Summit building in mid-2022 will be among Saling’s top priorities in her new position.
“This overdue recognition reflects not only the critical role Kelly has in recovery of our meetings and convention business, but also her immense contributions to our entire organization these past 19 months,” said Tom Norwalk, President and CEO for Visit Seattle.
“She has been a strong and passionate leader in our industry and a very critical link and resource to our local and regional stakeholders regarding the changing landscape of the meetings industry.”
Saling joined Visit Seattle in 2009, most recently serving as Visit Seattle’s Vice President of Convention Sales & Services. Her leadership of Visit Seattle’s Convention Sales and Services teams will continue to be pivotal to the recovery of the city’s meetings and convention business. Saling will continue to manage and strategize sales operations for future business booked into the Washington State Convention Center.
“It continues to be a privilege to represent this incredible and resilient destination,” said Saling.
“I remain committed to spearhead the comeback of face-to-face meetings in Seattle. We have an experienced, strong and capable team, plus a community with tremendous talent and incredible property leaders. Seattle is vibrant, spirited and our unique offerings will continue to inspire our remarkable results.”
Beyond her work with Visit Seattle, Saling contributes to several national and local hospitality and convention organizations. She serves as a board member for MPI’s Women’s Advisory Board, sits on the Steering Committee for the new MINT+, and is part of the Destinations International Sales & Services Committee. Saling is also an active member of Professional Convention Management Association, Meeting Professionals International and Destinations International.
“We work with visitor organizations all over the United States and no one better represents their customers than Kelly Saling. She treats her customers’ needs and goals as her own; she takes the time to understand our goals, our customers, our needs and then will not stop until she has done all she and Visit Seattle can to help us be successful. Kelly cares immensely about her venue, her city, her community, her customers and it comes through in every energetic action and interaction.” – Lance Fensterman, President ReedPop.
“Over many years of partnership with Kelly, I have always found her to be an exceedingly capable and passionate sales leader. She is a true Seattle ambassador: a candid and astute negotiator, masterful at developing relationships, and always makes collaborating with her a fun experience.” – Aida Campbell, CMP, Strategic Account Senior Director for Maritz Global Events.
Saling is a graduate of the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Spanish Literature, and a Business Administration focus. She and her husband have two young sons and have called Seattle home for nearly 20 years. As a former soccer and rugby player, she loves all things Sounders, Reign, Storm and Seawolves. She enjoys camping around the Pacific Northwest and is known for creating pretty neat Halloween costumes for her kids.
“Kelly is a critical link and resource to our local and regional stakeholders; and is viewed as a trusted point of counsel on the changing landscape of the meetings industry,” said Norwalk.
“We know others in the hospitality industry join us in celebrating Kelly’s promotion.”
