Just over 500 delegates — 502, to be exact — joined us in Dublin, Ireland, for a wildly successful SITE Global Conference 2022.

The core themes behind this year’s Conference are the same ones that influence all SITE events: we DARED to connect, learn, discover, and shape the future together. Even so, there were still plenty of new ideas and surprises to be had.

Here are just some of the fresh, new, and innovative moments that stood out at this year’s event.

Rising number of first-time voices

More than 160 SITE Global Conference delegates this year identified as first-time attendees — just over 30 percent of the total attendee count.

This undoubtedly reflects the moment we’re in, to some extent. We’ve seen significant turnover across the MICE landscape over the last 2+ years so the entry and rise of new voices is to be expected.

Still, given that fact that staffing issues have dominated the conversation at literally any industry event in recent months, it’s encouraging that so many new faces are eager to connect with and join industry veterans at cornerstone events like Global Conference.

Looking longer term, it’s also encouraging to literally hear conversations about how to return to in-person events more thoughtfully, transparently, and sustainably. We appreciate all of you in the SITE community who are helping us set new standards, embrace the purpose of why we gather, and showcase the importance of forming quality connections.

Embracing new ways to learn and share

In-person attendees this year were treated to a mix of education sessions beyond just your basic breakout. Over two days at the CCD, we explored new presentation formats, including Dialogue Dens, Learning Labs, and an open industry stage.

We’d also be remiss if we didn’t mention our blended closing session format, which saw Irish hosts Padraic Gilligan (SITE’s CMO!) and Patrick Delaney invite guests to their onstage “pub,” manned by Fáilte Ireland’s Paul Mockler and SITE President Kevin Edmunds.

Our closing night Storytelling Stage was also a first-time hit, with three storytellers who absolutely brought down the house. Major kudos and thanks to Tim McStay, Margie McCartney, and Mario Enzesberger for the perfect ending to this year’s Conference.

Excitingly, six hours of original content highlighting the best bits of this year’s Conference were also broadcast live during SITE’s first Digital Day. Both Digital Day broadcast blocks are available on-demand now for anyone who registered.

We certainly found the craic!

Videos and photos showcase this year’s Conference destination better than words ever will, so we’ll largely let the images and clips we captured speak for themselves.

This year’s destination discoveries extend beyond Global Conference, too. Many delegates ventured outside of Dublin on a Meet in Ireland-led fam trip or through independent pre- or post-conference explorations — both for fun, and for business. This is proof-positive of our community giving “bleisure travel” a go, as well as keen interest in booking future business.  

Identifying the signals and drivers shaping incentive travel’s future

There will be much more to come on The Dublin Manifesto now that this year’s in-person Conference delegates voted on five statements concerning the future nature, purpose, and direction of incentive travel.

Stay tuned for updates, and please continue to share with us the signals and drivers you’re seeing in your own work.

We are truly stronger together, and are proud champions of the expert voices within our organization, on our board, and woven throughout the SITE community.

Connect with us and share your favorite Conference memories, complete your feedback survey if you haven’t yet, and make sure you’ve blocked off February 17-20, 2023, when #ItsTimeToMakeItNYC for SITE Global Conference 2023!