The capstone of the 40th anniversary celebration of Site (Society of Incentive Travel Executives) takes place at the Site Global Conference, December 7–10 in Orlando at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando. Around the theme “40 Years Forward,” Site is offering some 32 hours of education, including sessions that can be applied toward two new certificates in incentive management: Cruising and Incentives and Incentive Project Management.
In addition, two general sessions will feature thought leaders in the incentive industry: Entrepreneur Cameron Herold, author of Double Double: How to Double Your Revenue and Profit in Three Years or Less, will speak on “How to Grow your Business,” and Cruise Lines International Association CEO Christine Duffy, formerly president of Maritz Travel, will present the “Current State of the Cruise Industry and its Strategic Efforts with the Meetings, Events, and Incentives Community.”
The first meeting of the Society of Incentive Travel Executives came to order at the Americana Hotel in New York City on December 4, 1973. It was the beginning of the only international, professional, not-for-profit association dedicated exclusively to the pursuit of excellence in incentives. Site has remained the leading association for education and best practices on designing motivational and memorable experiences to grow businesses. One session will feature a conversation with past Site presidents, many of whom have been writing blogs on Site’s Web site since the official anniversary date in April.
Site will also be offering its signature “incentive-level” networking activities that promise to give delegates a dose of what Orlando has to offer the incentive or meeting attendee. In addition to many pre-conference tour options (Richard Petty Driving Ride-Along Experience, a tour of Royal Caribbean International, indoor skydiving, a cooking class at Emeril’s Orlando Restaurant, a CSR event with Clean the World, to name a few), guests will start off the conference with an evening at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which includes unlimited access to rides and attractions, including Dragon Challenge, Flight of the Hippogriff, and the groundbreaking Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The conference ends on another high note with a gala dinner at the Rosen Shingle Creek, where Site will honor many industry leaders and past presidents who have contributed to the organization’s success and storied history.
Other learning sessions will include such topics as Brain Fitness, Keeping Your Brain in Top Shape, Mobile Apps for Incentive Travel, Exploring the Best Principles of Incentive Experience Design, and the Great Business Ethics Debate.
The Incentive Project Management certificate is given to planners and suppliers who attend seven in-classroom hours over a two-day period. The Cruising and Incentives Certificate course is designed for those who plan and deliver cruise incentive programs. Four hours of in-classroom training is offered, in addition to the keynote by Duffy and a breakout session on cruise line trends.
And remember that “40 Years Forward” theme? The Site Florida & Caribbean Chapter and Site Young Leaders are proud to present a Student Conference, supported by and hosted at the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management, immediately before the Site Global Conference 2013.
For conference registration information, visit Site Global.
