The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) and SITE Foundation recognized the achievements of five incentive travel professionals during its annual general meeting, held during the SITE Hybrid Conference, February 2-3, 2021.

The 2020 winners are:

Member of the Year| WINNER – Michael Dalton, founder, MicDrop Support & Solutions and immediate past-president, SITE Ireland: This award is presented to a volunteer who has left an indelible mark on SITE throughout the year. Dalton was honoured for continually going over and above to serve SITE, being an exemplary chapter leader and member. His contributions in 2020 include chairing the committee that organized the Chapter Excellence Awards, leading a team of former chapter leaders to review/revise criteria for the Chapter Excellence Awards. He also created a webinar (SITE Ireland: CITP Certification – Your Questions Answered Section) demonstrating how to apply to site for the CITP exam and provided overall tips. It was offered to all chapters. Dalton was also the catalyst behind the SITE Ireland sponsorship agreement with Tourism Northern Ireland, supporting 15 new CIS certifications.

Richard Ross Past-President’s Award| WINNER – Stephen Powell: This award is presented by the SITE past presidents in memory of past president and long-time member Richard Ross, who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City. It recognizes an individual or organization that has furthered the vision, ideas and ethics of SITE. Powell is a seasoned hotel sales and marketing leader with several years of corporate management as well as on-property experience with companies including IHG, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Loews Hotels and Fairmont Hotels. His association with SITE goes back to the late ‘80s. He is an acknowledged expert in global markets with experience in the USA, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, UK and Asia including Greater China. Powell brought his experience and expertise to SITE over many years. He played a seminal role in establishing and consolidating SITE Foundation as a powerhouse of research, education and advocacy on behalf of the global incentive travel industry.

David Riddell Memorial Scholarship| WINNER – Isabel Hagel, operations executive, Custom Ireland: This award was created in memory of SITE past president David Riddell to provide an opportunity for worthy individuals to attend the annual conference. It is awarded by SITE Foundation based on the submission of an original essay. Hagel, who is a native of Germany, wrote about incentive travel from the perspective of the qualifier. She is described by her colleagues as “an absolute joy… hard-working, enthusiastic, a quick learner, diligent and efficient.”

 

 

Kevin Forde Spirit Award| WINNER – Hasan Dinc, CITP, managing director, O.D.S. Turkey and president, SITE Turkey, and Tes Pros, CIS, CITP, director, Crystal Events Africa and president, SITE Africa: This award is given each year to a SITE member who exemplifies the traits Kevin Forde was known and respected for—generosity of time and energy for his fellow incentive travel professionals and volunteer roles. Hasan Dinc was praised for his ubiquity at SITE events this year, local and global, and his activity as a chapter leader. He kept spirits up in his chapter with fun events and posted inspiring videos of these encounters while also fostering links with other organizations in Turkey to lobby for the industry. Tes Proos was lauded for her boundless generosity in giving time to SITE, being a one-man show for her chapter and making great strides in educating more African countries about incentive travel.

 

 

 

 

 

The next edition of the SITE Global Conference will be held in Dublin, Ireland, January 27-30, 2022.