By Mary Tucker, Sr. Communications and Content Manager
IAEE Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Committee Member Kareem Salvant is General Manager for Metro Multimedia. He is responsible for the organization’s overall strategic planning and implementation while managing various day-to-day operations including marketing/sales, support services, and content development.
With more than a decade of dynamic experience, Kareem has emerged as one of the events industry’s most exciting young professionals in the tri-state area. As the Chairman of the IAEE New York Area Chapter (2020-2021), he established a new era for the organization by recruiting new industry ambassadors, developing new marketing campaigns, and creating new programs that educate and inspire his more than 1,000 professional members. Kareem was awarded the IAEE Chapter Merit Award in 2020.
Before joining Metro Multimedia, Kareem was the Event Logistics and Facilities Manager at the Javits Center. He played a pivotal role in maintaining and operating America’s busiest convention center, implementing state-of-the-art software that has increased the efficiency and accountability of all related work and procedures. Kareem has expertise in the private and public sectors and helped facilitate the convention center’s billion expansion project.
Here, Kareem discusses the need for supporting DE&I in the exhibitions and events industry, and how individuals as well as organizations can go about doing so.
What inspired you to serve on the IAEE DE&I Committee?
I’m inspired by Alan Steel (Javits Center), Samuel Thomas (Events DC), Bruno Giaccio (Metro Multimedia), Joyce Leveston (OVG360) and Greg O’Dell (OVG360). Executives that have taken the time to advise and mentor me. They all provide different perspectives on the industry and come from different backgrounds and experiences. Yet, what they all have in common, they speak up for their beliefs and encourage others to do the same. They inspire me to be the change I want to see. The IAEE DE&I Committee is making significant progress in being an agent of change but there’s still much work to be done, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
What has been your experience/observations with how the industry addresses DE&I?
To be candid, the industry has been slow and quiet in addressing DE&I. With that said, there has been progress. Change isn’t easy, and it does take time. I’m encouraged by more organizations wanting to learn more about how they can address DE&I and DE&I programs that are being tailored to the events industry.
What overall advances would you like to see in the industry regarding DE&I?
I’d like to see improvements in hiring practices related to DE&I in our industry, specifically at the executive/senior management level that lacks diversity.
How do you think that companies can help advance DE&I?
Work with your local chapters to learn about the available DE&I resources. Sponsor DE&I programs, fund scholarships, encourage employees to join DE&I committees and volunteer opportunities, and build internal programs focusing on DE&I initiatives.
What suggestions do you have for individuals who would like to learn more about and/or help increase awareness and advances in DE&I within the industry?
Start with your organization to learn if there are any internal DE&I programs; depending on what is learned, you can work within your organization to increase awareness or take what your organization is doing and help local event industry organizations. IAEE, MPI, and PCMA have great programs and are always looking to improve them.
