The results are in from our 2022 member needs assessment survey, and at least one finding from the data is perhaps no surprise to the SITE community: incentive travel professionals are looking to connect in-person with their peers to learn about the current state of the industry, creative ways to address challenges, trends to watch for in the coming year, and share best practices.

Luckily, the first opportunity for hundreds of us to connect in 2023 does exactly that, with this year’s SITE Global Conference education program designed to address exactly these needs.

New this year, our Conference educational programming has been organized into six tracks, building off of SITE Manifestos we’ve co-created at past years’ events.

All of this year’s content promises to deliver actionable insights and new ideas, but we also wanted to spotlight a few noteworthy highlights as you start to shape your agenda for February. 

Track #1: Relationships & Teamwork

As they say, it takes a village. Sessions in this track emphasize the strong, supportive, and collaborative SITE community.

Our team’s can’t-miss recommendation here: “Open for Business: Incentive Expectations and Reality in the Hospitality Industry.”

Track #2: Economic Growth & Innovation

Incentive travel contributes significantly to economic growth and innovative thinking by both participants and the organizations that create the programs. Sessions included in this track speak to growth, creativity and stability.

Our top pick from this track: “DMC Pricing Models — Fear or Logic?”

Track #3: Incentive Travel Basics

The incentive travel industry has added quite a bit of new talent in the last few years — and, let’s be honest, we could probably all benefit from discovering fresh approaches and new perspectives on industry fundamentals. We’ve designed a track focused on just that!

For those ready to return to basics (or discover them for the first time), add this to your agenda: “How to Design a Performance-Based Incentive Travel Program.”

Track #4: Social Responsibility

Building a legacy of social awareness and making a positive impact on the communities we visit is essential for the future of incentive travel. Sessions in this track demonstrate the importance of putting social responsibility at the center of program design.

Perfect inspiration from this track includes: “Incentive travel as the new driver to social change — from vision to practice.”

Track #5: Health & Wellbeing

As companies, we must start by asking what our people need. This may include working from home, flexible hours, and comfortable working conditions. This is also true (and expected) in incentive travel program design. Sessions in this track offer creative ideas to keep everyone’s wellbeing in the forefront.

For a sample of what to expect here, try: “The Heart Remembers...Event Design that Embraces Attendee Wellness.”

Track #6: 50 Years Forward

SITE Global Conference 2023 will serve as a nexus point for all that SITE has been in the past and all that we can, and should be, in the future. Sessions in this track focus on the next 50 years of incentive travel excellence…and beyond!

Predict what’s next for SITE and for incentive travel with sessions like this: “Impact Driven Incentive Travel — Shaping the Next 50 Years of Incentive Travel Excellence.”

Registration is open now, with more details about this year’s program, accommodation options, and destination information available here.

I look forward to welcoming you in New York City this February, and to learning together what the future holds for incentive travel.