SITE hosted its 2025 edition of Incentive Summit Europe (ISE) from June 29-July 2 in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
The destination’s breathtaking views and gorgeous, serene setting proved to be the perfect setting for many conversations over the course of the Summit on what’s shaping incentive travel programs right now: and what’s top of mind for both incentive planners and supplier partners alike.
Inclusive incentives start with being fully prepared
A famously neutral setting like Switzerland tops incentive planners destination selection lists for many reasons — with qualifier health, safety & security taking on increased importance for incentive professionals right now when deciding where to place their programs.
This topic surfaced as part of a panel discussion held on the first full day of ISE featuring Melanie Bianco from ITA Group and Seynabou Cisse from Dell Technologies. Both women confirmed they work closely with their respective security and legal teams to ensure the destinations they’re sourcing are safe locales for the incentive programs they’re planning.
Both also explained that health & safety considerations now extend into guarding against extreme weather outcomes in addition to geopolitical concerns. Melanie noted that this is where DMC partners come in as an especially key planning partner, with on-the-ground DMC teams able to give up-to-minute advice.
Table conversations following the panel concurred with what both Melanie and Seynabou discussed onstage. Attendees talked about the importance of balancing proactive communications from in-destination partners against what can reasonably be guaranteed given ongoing volatile conditions dominating today's business climate.
On day two, another ISE attendee offered an additional perspective on building out inclusive, welcoming programs. Rachel Davies from Hilton shared a new resource her company has produced. Hilton's white paper, Rachel said, stresses the importance of preparing incentive qualifiers well before their arrival onsite — and being clear about all program expectations.