SITE shocked and saddened by the passing of former CEO, Didier Scaillet

News emerged late on Monday, July 8, of the passing, after a short illness, of Didier Scaillet. A business events industry stalwart, Didier served as CEO of SITE and SITE Foundation from January 2018 until he stepped down, for health reasons, in September 2020.

Commenting on Didier’s untimely passing, current CEO Annette Gregg said “SITE’s global community is shocked and saddened to its core and sends warm love and deep condolences to Didier’s wife, Sabine Lignel and his children, Martin, Morgane and Giles. Didier served with distinction as CEO of SITE from 2018 to 2020 and laid the foundations for the strong and stable association we now have. He was a visionary leader, a strategic thinker, a consensus builder and a kind, generous human being. The entire business events industry mourns his passing.” 

SITE President Karim El Minabawy, described Didier as “a real gentleman and a professional.” He added “Our industry has lost one of its best  and greatest ambassadors. Having spent the majority of his career serving in the association sector with MPI, CLIA and finally SITE, Didier had a deep knowledge and appreciation for the business events industry and for the transformative power of meetings, incentive travel experiences and events on individuals, communities, businesses and society at large. We will miss his thought leadership but also his profound humanity, his defining decency and his great sense of fun.” 

Didier’s memorial service will take place, following cremation, on Tuesday, July 16 at 10am at Daelhof à Zemst (Erasmuslaan 50 à 1804 Eppegem-Zemst).

A book of condolences is available at www.hulsmans-goossens.be

A long-form, personal tribute by Pádraic Gilligan, SITE’s Chief Marketing Officer, who worked closely with Didier may be found here.

A short selection of other tributes is given here

Very sorry to read this sad news and the premature loss of Didier. He was a great professional who did so much for our industry as we all know. Condolences to the family. RIP Didier.

Tasso Pappas, Past President, SITE

My heart is broken!  We worked together at both MPI and SITE. He was a shining example of all that is good about humanity. Always upbeat and a consummate professional, Didier always had a smile and a good word!  RIP my good friend.

Bill Boyd, Past President, SITE

Didier always had nice words for anyone. His message to me on September 2020

“... serving you as my President has been a highlight of my career, Annamaria. And you will remain as a closest friend, cannot wait to see you and Stefano again.

Tons of love ❤️❤️

Annamaria Ruffini, Past President SITE

I have known Didier for almost all of my career. He was kind, respectful, intelligent, and fun. I was sad when he left SITE but also knew he was going to another chapter in his life.  Now it's all been taken away from him. I feel for Sabine. Hug the one you love every day and tell them you love them! ❤️

Paul Miller, Past President, SITE

Woke up this morning to the most disturbing of news. Another good one gone too early. I got to know Didier Scaillet better when he joined SITE - Society for Incentive Travel Excellence as our CEO. He was full of ideas and energy. Always had a smile for me. A gentle giant. Today he's gone. Our last trip together was to Rwanda with Deepali and Sabine. I always enjoyed meeting him and I join so many of his friends and admirers who will miss those moments. Rest well my friend. 

Rajeev Kohli, Past President, SITE

I am sure Carolyn Dow (former President of SITE) was there to meet him at the Pearly Gates. Rest in Peace, Didier. God speed.

Peggy Whitman, Past President, SITE

Goodbye dear friend! This was just one of thousands of special moments I had the privilege of sharing with you as you mentored and taught me and gave me my start in the events industry! Thank you for all your gifts - and for what you saw in me! I have never forgotten your kindness and always considered you to be my family away from home!  You will be so missed - I know tears are flowing all over the world at this tragic news!

Hannah Pattison

This is such sad news and I am so grateful for the time I have known Didier Scaillet. He blessed my life with his gentle giant presence. 💔

Jane Scaletta

Devastating news … a top man and huge supporter of SITE Africa. Condolences to Sabine and family. RIP Didier

Rick Taylor

Paix à ton âme mon ami, thank you for being such an amazing and careful human being. All our prayers goes to your friends and family 🙏🏻

Benoit Sauvage, SITE IBOD

Words cannot express how deeply saddened I am by this news. He was a leader who was so worldly wise yet led with his heart. I am so blessed to have known him.

This is a terrible loss in our industry. Always a gentleman with a smile in his face. Memories in Italy when he shared the stage with Anna and Kevin Hinton. My prayers go to his beautiful family.

Julia Trejo, former SITE IBOD

Terribly sad news - sending deepest sympathy to his family. He was always very kind and sincere and interested in everyone

Gillian Taylor, former SITE IBOD

My heart is broken. He was a great leader. My prayers go out to the family. 

Cathy Jones

Terribly sad to hear about the passing Didier whom I considered to be a visionary, a truly creative sou. I was lucky to have been deeply impacted by Didier during our time together on the SITE Board. Just wanted to take a minute to pay professional respects here. Thinking of his family & loved ones. May he rest in peace.

Eda Ozden Günyüz, former SITE IBOD

I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Didier Scaillet. He was a true star of the events, meetings and incentive travel industries and he touched so many of our lives and the organizations he served: MPI, CLIA and SITE

Lisa Grimaldi, Journalist