Building a future in Incentive Travel, one experience at a time, by David Gamboa Solano
I believe I am a strong candidate for the SITE Young Leaders Conference 2026 Scholarship because my path into incentive travel has been shaped by a genuine passion for promoting Costa Rica to the world and by a broader commitment to international understanding, sustainability and human development.
For the past three years, I have supported TAM Costa Rica on an intermittent basis, particularly through international trade shows, destination promotion and engagement with buyers and partners. Through this work, I discovered that incentive travel is not only about moving people from one destination to another. At its best, it creates meaningful experiences, builds relationships across cultures and allows destinations like Costa Rica to show their identity, values and capacity for excellence.
Costa Rica is a small country, but it has an extraordinary story to share. Its natural beauty, democratic tradition, peace-oriented identity and long-standing commitment to sustainability make it a unique destination for incentive travel. I am proud to help communicate that story internationally. Whether attending industry events, speaking with potential buyers or supporting group experiences, I see my role as that of a young ambassador for a country that can offer memorable programmes rooted in nature, culture, hospitality and purpose.
My professional background also gives me a distinctive perspective. Before deepening my involvement in incentive travel, I worked in international policy and research environments, including at the OECD, where I focused on public policy, sustainable development, institutional coordination and stakeholder engagement. I have also participated in diplomatic and international settings, worked across languages and cultures, and contributed to projects related to governance, environmental policy and human development. These experiences have shaped the way I understand incentive travel as an industry connected to sustainability, economic opportunity, cultural exchange and the future of destinations.
I also believe I represent a new generation of professionals ready to take responsibility for the present challenges facing the industry. Incentive travel must continue to inspire, reward and connect people, but it must also respond to questions of sustainability, inclusion, community impact and authenticity. I want to be part of a global network of young leaders who are not only building careers, but also helping shape the future of the industry with responsibility and creativity.
What I am most looking forward to at SITE Young Leaders Conference 2026 is the opportunity to connect with and learn from people who are already leading in one of the most respected global spaces for incentive travel. Attending the conference while also attending IMEX America would allow me to experience the industry at a higher level, surrounded by emerging professionals, established leaders, destination experts, agencies, DMCs and suppliers from around the world. I look forward to the conversations, workshops and exchanges that can only happen when young professionals come together with a shared ambition to learn and grow.
I am also looking forward to sharing my own Young Leader experience. Coming from Costa Rica and from a background that combines policy, sustainability, international relations and destination promotion, I would bring a perspective that is both regional and global. I want to contribute actively, listen carefully and build relationships that continue beyond the conference itself.
What I hope to gain from attending is real exposure, practical learning and meaningful connections that can take my work to the next level. I want to better understand buyer expectations, incentive programme design, leadership in the industry, international market trends and how young professionals can build long-term careers in this field. More importantly, I hope to gain a clearer sense of how I can contribute to strengthening Costa Rica’s place within the global incentive travel community.
Receiving this scholarship would be a pivotal moment in my career. As a young professional based outside North America, the financial support would make it possible for me to participate fully in an opportunity that would otherwise be difficult to access. I would approach the scholarship with gratitude, professionalism and commitment. I know that the experience would stay with me for many years, not only as a conference attended, but as a turning point in my development as an incentive travel professional and as an ambassador for Costa Rica.
-David Gamboa Solano
