Salita Jones
Salita Jones is the Director of Education & Events at TRSA, the Association for Linen, Uniform, and Facility Services Industry, where she has led educational programming and event management initiatives for over 17 years. With a deep expertise in negotiation, operations management, sales, and team building, Salita has built a reputation for creating high-quality, engaging events that advance the professional development of industry members and foster collaboration across the industry. Before assuming her current role, Salita served as Executive Meetings Manager at the Uniform Textile Services Association (UTSA) for 7 years, where she coordinated large-scale conferences, committee meetings, and training institutes. She was responsible for all aspects of event logistics, from program development to vendor negotiations and on-site management, ensuring that each event met the highest standards of excellence. Her hands-on experience across every stage of event planning has made her a trusted leader in the association and meeting management community. Salita earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Bowie State University and continues to enhance her expertise through professional development, including Pandemic On-Site Protocol Training through the PCMA Institute. Known for her problem-solving skills, creativity, and dedication to team development, she is committed to delivering impactful educational experiences while fostering a culture of learning and engagement within the industry.
• Pandemic On-Site Protocol Training
• Bowie State University
• Event Planners Association
What do you attribute your success to?
I would say my greatest strengths are my strong work ethic and commitment to delivering exceptional customer service. Working alongside an amazing team, we’ve consistently ensured that attendees have positive, memorable experiences at our events. We’re always looking for innovative ways to make each event more interactive and engaging.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Trust your abilities and believe in the value of your voice. Never let anyone make you feel that your opinion doesn’t matter. Be bold, be innovative, and don’t settle for the status quo. Build strong, positive relationships with hotel representatives, DMCs, and all external partners, they’re essential to creating seamless events. Treat everyone with respect, whether they’re part of the banquet staff or the CEO. And most importantly, prioritizing work-life balance, it’s key to sustaining your passion and preventing burnout.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the biggest challenges are budget limitations, attendee engagement challenges, and rising service costs such as audiovisual, food & beverage minimums, and securing adequate meeting space to meet specifications, are key considerations for successful event planning. Some great opportunities are finding ways to integrate AI to enhance the attendee experience, incorporating opportunities to showcase new technologies that would benefit the membership, and creating networking experiences that foster stronger industry connections.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me in my personal life are family and togetherness. Our family gatherings are filled with laughter, cherished childhood memories, and great food. In my work, I value honesty, accountability, and building strong relationships with my colleagues, after all, we spend more time at work than at home, and those connections matter.