Incentive travel.
Business results.
Newsletter 
Volume 1, Issue 1
March, 2015

News and Notes across the Industry

As the pages officially turned into 2015, stats are on the rise following the momentum from the 2014 year for incentive travel. 
According to Incentive Magazine, and their 2015 

Sales IQ Survey, 2015 is looking beyond bright for incentive travel. Among the larger companies with the bigger budgets
(1 million dollars or more), percentages nearly doubled from
8% to 15% for their incentive, recognition and reward programs. 

 

Similar successes are being displayed for dollars spent per individual, per program. Companies who's budgets exceed $5,000 or more per recipient almost doubled from just under 5% in 2014 to just over 9% in 2015. Among the surveyed planners and incentive buyers, twice as many companies added new incentive programs, or increased their incentive budget buckets. The top reasons for this increase come from an increase in their companies' sales, the improving economy and also in part to the decrease in negative perception of incentive and rewards programs. So for now, let's all take advantage of this surge and keep the momentum moving! 


Breaking News: SITE is Crossing Borders with North Meets South! 

 

As a part of the theme for this year's strategy, SITE NY Metro and SITE Canada are teaming up for a dual partnership and are becoming official sister chapters! As we know in this multi-faceted industry, it's important to nurture relationships across borders and ensure that we work harmoniously to make our voices heard! Both chapters are coming together to share ideas, inspire members, and ultimately break ground on a  new campaign that will result in long term partnership across the both localized SITE communities.  Be sure to check back with both chapters for new initiatives and exciting announcements in 2015!  

Finally, if you are planning to head up north next month to visit our neighbors for Ignite Business Event Expo, do check out SITE Canada's Spring Social on April 14th! This is a great opportunity to build exposure in Canada with their planned silent auction, so be sure to check out the sponsorship packages that are still available. Contact Jennifer Moir for more details: [email protected] 

Coming Soon- April Education Week!

Monday, April 13th: Make the Connection 

Your local SITE and MPI Chapters are teaming up to celebrate the first North American Meetings Industry Day (NAMID) and to kick off SITE Global Education Week with a collaborative effort to 
Make the Connection. Featured Keynote Speaker, Jessica Levin, will lead the session full of both inspirational stories and practical & actionable tips on how being a connector can transform your personal and professional life. Whether you are new to business networking or are looking for tips to up your game,  this session will leave you with desire to help others achieve their goals and will provide you with the steps on how to do it.  Hosted by Le Parker Meridien. Click here for details

 

April 13th: CSR Pre-Event CAN-opoly with Impact 4 Good Incentives

Hunger is a global issue where 1 billion people around the world do not have enough to eat. Hunger hits home as well, where America has seen a rise in hunger over the last 15 years.  The goal of this 90 minute program is to create awareness of food insecurity and work to fight local hunger...while being creative, competitive and having fun.  Attend this pre-event only or stay for our education session to follow.  You CAN make a difference!  Click here for details


 

April 13th-17th: SITE Global Education Week 

 

SITE Global Education Week is an industry advocacy initiative designed to create awareness and celebrate the impact that the global incentive travel industry has on business growth. Throughout this week, SITE will broadcast webinars on a variety of industry topics that will offer our members and general audience continued education. All chapters will participate by holding their own education events in their areas, with content that will speak to the specific needs of their regional marketplace. Click here for details 


CIS Update

Site NY Metro is proud to be one of the leading chapters to assist with the Certified Incentive Specialist (CIS) certificate, which is an entry level certification program from SITE Global. 

Individuals will- in a two day seminar/workshop - 

learn the fundamentals of incentives, the origins of incentive programs and incentive travel, the value chain, and the value proposition of motivational programs and non-cash awards. Candidates will also dissect the composition of the market, the makings of a program and a program budget, industry tools and platforms and other valuable information. CIS is designed for SITE members and non-members alike in the knowledge that SITE serves as a source of expertise, knowledge and personal connections that will catapult and sustain professional growth, and help build the value of extraordinary motivational experiences worldwide.  .

 

The CIS:

  • Is a group learning experience
  • Seeks to have as many professionals as possible involved
  • Is a certification which acknowledges the experience of some and elevates the knowledge of all
  • Will give certified professionals a greater understanding of the theory and practice of creative and effective motivational programs and motivational travel within the value chain
To initiate and complete your CIS certificate, plan to join us this July 17th and 18th in Philadelphia at The Latham Hotel. Click here for more details! Both buyers and suppliers of incentive travel from 24 countries have earned their CIS. Check the list of names to see which of your acquaintances have completed this esteemed accomplishment. 



Young Leaders Take Over SoHo!

Over 30 SITE Young Leaders gathered last night in SoHo to partake in the first ever young leaders scavenger hunt! Participants gathered at the stunning Trump SoHo for a quick meet and greet, before being split up into teams. Our friends at cityHUNT then organized the challenges which ranged from good deeds, to musical videos, to team building exercises that got everyone involved! After an hour of adventuring around the neighborhood, teams reconvened at Houston Hall to watch the madness unveil (which was all done via smartphone), all while enjoying the ambiance of good drinks and new friends. Click here to check out all the action that took place and a big thanks to cityHUNT, Trump SoHo and Houston Hall! 



Newsworthy
SITE New York Setting Its Sights on 2015
By Deanna Ting, March 23

When the New York Chapter of SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence) met for the first time in 2015, it was clear that, with the New Year, comes a new set of goals for the incentive travel organization.  Meeting in the offices of the Monaco Government Tourist Office in January, the new board was eager to let members know that 2015 would be a year of progress for the chapter.  "We have some really strategic plans for the chapter..." Click here for full article

 


Greg Byrnes
SITE NY Metro
VP, Marketing & Communications