Dear Site friends and colleagues from around the globe,

Bon Bini, which in the native Aruban Language of Papiamento means "welcome".  We want to be the first two Aruban friends you will meet as we invite you to come and become part of the movement at this year’s Site International Conference: Business Without Boundaries.

On behalf of the local Host Committee for the Site International Conference 2009, it is with great pleasure that we invite you to Aruba, a special island full of  90,000 friends you haven't met yet.  Once you arrive on the island and get to know Aruba, you will soon begin to notice the smiling faces everywhere. Real smiles. Gracious smiles. Sheer-joy-of-living smiles from new friends you are bound to make.

The 2009 Host Committee has worked hard over the past year preparing for this year’s conference with consideration to the conditions and regulations being imposed on businesses today and a call for redefining operations and establishing a bold new vision.  It is more important than ever to plan on attending this year’s conference to experience the top notch education program, world watch roundtables, Incentive Marketplace and networking opportunities.  We may not find all of the answers to the questions we may pose, but we certainly intend to address them.

The sun is shining brighter in Aruba these days and we would like you to join us and connect with colleagues and friends who are determined to place motivational events and experiences in their rightful spot: as powerful tools that provide a significant, measurable return on investment. 

See you soon on One Happy Island!

Freddy I. Muller Director Charter & Incentive Sales Silversea Cruises, Ltd.

Wichita Villacres President & CEO Eco Destination Management Services of Aruba NV

Thank you to our Host Committee, the Aruba Tourism Authority, the Aruba Convention Bureau and of course the 90,000 Friends who warmly greeted delegates in Aruba for the Site International Conference 2009, held 30 October–2 November.  Otmar Oduber, Aruba Minister of Toursim and Labor, personally greeted Site delegates representing the country's commitment motivational events and incentive travel industry.

The professionals at Redbutton.tv graciously captured all of our memories -Watch a video of moments from Site International Conference >>

With 30 countries represented, education sessions had a variety of perspectives and the conference offered multiple opportunities to extend business connections.

Highlights of the International Conference 2009 include:

• Chapter leaders representing 16 Site chapters utilized the Chapter Leadership Meeting as a platform to exchange ideas to build programming and benefits for their Site communities in 2010  
• The Starwood Incentive Practitioner's Scholarship Program supported by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Site introduced the conference to 17 buyers.
• World Watch keynote speaker, Geoffrey Lipman, Assistant Secretary General and spokesperson of the World Tourism Organization, shared perspectives on global trends that generated discussions carried forward to the interactive roundtable sessions.
• Site President Patrick Sullivan and Site CEO Brenda Anderson presented a state of the association update during the Annual General Meeting for Site members.
• Site Young Leaders engaged in a pre-conference educational program focused on strategic selling.

Site Honors Gala

The following individuals and chapters were recognized for outstanding achievement:

• Mary Jeanne Chapman, MA, CPC, was named Site Member of the Year 2009.
• Eduardo Chaillo Ortiz was awarded the Kevin Forde Spirit Award.
• Site Canada was named 2009 Site Chapter of the Year. To see the full list of chapter awards, click here.
• Aruba awarded the Simon Oduber Jr Award to Jerusha Rasmijn.

Site Crystal Awards

The 2009 Site Crystal Award winners were recognized during the Site Crystal Award Luncheon.

Many Thanks to our Host Committee

International Conference Chair
Freddy I. Muller
Director Charter & Incentive Sales
Silversea Cruises, Ltd.

International Conference Co-Chair
Wichita Villacres
President & CEO
Eco Destination Management Services of Aruba N.V.

Host Committee Co-Chairs
Gina Lopez-Gnecco – Public Relations Director
Aruba Tourism Authority

Ed Malone
The Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association

Jerusha Rasmijn –  Convention Services Manager
Aruba Tourism Authority

Host Committee
Mario Arends, Aruba Tourism Authority
Peggy Croes, Aruba Aviation Authority
Sjeidy Feliciano, Aruba Tourism Authority
Stephanie Koole, De Palm Tours
Sanju Luidens,The Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association
Patrick Melchiors, Pelican Adventures
Magali Mesa, Eco Destination Management Services of Aruba N.V.
Angelo Tromp, DePalm Tours
Michel van Leeuwen, Red Sail Sports

A special thank you to our friends at Maui Jim who made sure delegates could enjoy the Aruba sunshine in style while caring for their eyes.

About Site's Crystal Awards

In 1980, Site created the Crystal Awards Recognition Program as a way to honor top professionals who deliver programs that connect motivational experiences to solid business results.  Today, the Crystal Award serves as a benchmark for industry programs and is regarded as the highest honor in the industry.

Site encourages entries from all industry leaders and disciplines who are involved in the development and delivery of performance improvement programs.  Site Crystal Awards are given in the following categories:

• Exceptional Motivational Travel Award Program
• Outstanding Motivational Experience
• Sustainable Motivational Experience
• Most Effective Use of a Motivational Experience for a Strategic Business Solution
• Most Impactful Destination for a Motivational Experience (New!)

Learn more about the award categories here. >> Questions? Please e-mail Jessica (crystal@siteglobal.com) for more information.

Crystal Award Ceremony

The Site Crystal Awards are presented during a special luncheon on Saturday, 31 October at the Site International Conference. Check the Schedule of Events here. >>

View photos from our 2008 ceremony >>