Diversity, Equity, & Inclusionat Summit

SCC’s commitment to diversity plays out in its new Summit building.

As a gathering space for people of all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives, it is important that the staff and contractors at Seattle Convention Center represent the entire community as well as its national and international clientele. When construction on the new Summit building began in 2018, SCC seized the opportunity to implement that practice from the ground up, setting a goal to award $80mm in contracts to women- and minority-owned businesses. By the time Summit opened in January 2023, they had committed nearly $150mm in work scopes to WMBE firms.

A diverse workforce brings different skills, cultures, and ways of operating that enable the delivery of the best outcomes. It also provides important opportunities for local workers and businesses, increasing their potential for future contracts.

“I would hope that larger contract companies will consider working with a small minority- and-woman-owned company who worked on one of Seattle’s largest projects, delivering top-quality services while paying attention to timeliness, safety and responsiveness,” said Victoria Richardson, owner of Construction Site Services, of the role her company played in the construction of Summit. “We are a growing population and deserve the opportunities that are out there in the construction world.”

The nation’s largest window shade system was installed in the Summit’s ballroom by lumenomics, a woman- and LGBT-owned company. Founder and CEO Marti Hoffer emphasized the importance of programs like the Convention Center’s that prioritize working with companies owned by women and minorities.

Additionally, while commissioning and curating the Summit building’s $7.75mm in public art, an objective of the Center’s art advisory board was to create a suite of artworks by Puget Sound-based Indigenous artists at the building’s primary entries. One such artist is Andrea M. Wilbur-Sigo, a member of the Squaxin Island Tribe, whose carved “Mowitch Man” and “Creator” welcome figures greet visitors at the building’s Pine Street and Olive Way entrances. 

Wilbur-Sigo is one of the 60 artists whose work is represented in Summit’s art collection—75% of whom are BIPOC and 62% are women.

Reflecting on the creation of the figures, Wilbur-Sigo says, “This opportunity was a dream come true. Being born right here in Seattle and being a part of several of the local tribes, I’ve always dreamed of the day that I would carve these welcome figures. I’m glad to be a part of an educational experience and perhaps inspire the next generation to dream big.” 

As a meeting professional, you can feel confident bringing your event to Seattle, knowing that our community prioritizes DEI initiatives such as this from the beginning. Start planning at visitseattle.org/meetings.