Site has a rich 35-year history built on strong ethics and professional relationships. Today, this global network of meeting, travel and event professionals has over 2,100 members in 87 countries, with 35 local and regional chapters all dedicated to delivering business results. These members believe the highest levels of workplace performance are reached by individuals and teams that are highly motivated and that employing motivational experiences as powerful business tools reward and unlock human potential to achieve corporate objectives.
Site History
Site Past Presidents
Diversity of Professionals
The first meeting of the Society of Incentive Travel Executives (Site) came to order at the Americana Hotel in New York City on 4 December 1973. It was the beginning of the only international, professional, not-for-profit association dedicated exclusively to the pursuit of excellence in incentives. Originally, membership for the organization was limited to 250 and by 1975 membership reached 84 members.
1974 Site’s first educational program was the Site Exhibitor Workshop for the IT&ME show held at the Hyatt Hotel in Chicago.
1974 Site’s first official definition of Incentive Travel was adopted: “A modern management tool used to achieve extraordinary goals by awarding participants a travel prize upon their attainment of their share of the uncommon goals.”
1975 The Site Executive Academy was added and held in New York City. From there Site evolved into delivery of conferences and seminars throughout the world.
1976 Intent on expanding member opportunities globally, a European Affairs Committee was established.
1980 The Certified Incentive Travel Executive (CITE) program began.
1980 Site established the Incentive Travel Awards Competition to spotlight and reward outstanding motivational campaigns. The awards competition late became known as the Site Crystal Awards in 1987, with winners receiving a beautiful crystal obelisk.
1983 As Site celebrates its 10 Year Anniversary, membership has reached 444 members.
1985 Site became a member of the Incentive Federation, a trade association lobbying in Washington, DC for the incentive market.
1990 By the end of the year membership reaches 2,035 members in 65 countries.
1991 The mission was updated: The Society of Incentive Travel Executives (Site) is a worldwide organization of business professionals dedicated to the increased recognition and use of incentive travel as a motivator and reward programs designed to achieve defined objectives.
1993 Site’s 20th anniversary celebration, the Signet Awards, a four-day celebration held in Stockholm.
1994 Site stepped forward as a sustainable thought leader through a partnership with Green Globe, the environmental division of the World Travel & Tourism Council was established giving members the opportunity to learn about making their companies more environmentally responsible.
1995 The mission was updated: The Society of Incentive Travel Executives (Site) is a worldwide organization of business professionals dedicated to the recognition and development of motivational and performance improvement strategies of which travel is a key component. It recognizes the global cultural differences and practices in developing these strategies, and serves as a prime networking and educational opportunity for its members.
2008 Site seeks to redefine the industry with a new language and vision statement - Unleashing human potential through extraorinary motivational experiences. Site's new vision, promise and strategic plan are built on three core pillars: Global Connections, Motivational Experiences, Business Results.
Site Past Presidents
Diversity of Professionals
Site has always recognized and celebrated the cultural differences and unique perspectives offered by our global membership -- that is what makes a Site membership stand apart from other professional communities. We believe that being part of an organization that is connected in to 87 different countries allows Site members to discover new ways of thinking, observe best practices and influence worldwide industry standards. Ultimately, membership in Site will introduce relationships that will be the new business opportunities of the future. Site members include corporate executives, corporate planners, incentive companies, destination management companies, travel and event meeting planners, official tourist organizations, transportation companies, hotels and resorts, cruise lines, trade publications, and supporting organizations such as restaurants and visitors attractions. All are professionals who believe in the power of motivational experiences and events.
Expand and Extend. Site has grown organically, with existing members inviting new members who also embrace the professional standards of the community. If each existing Site member invited one new member, the size and strength of the network would immediately double the power potential for you.
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