The 13th annual SITE Classic concluded at Grand Hyatt, Baha Mar with 300 incentive travel professionals in no doubt as to the incentive appeal of The Bahamas despite the recent ravages of Hurricane Dorian.
For three days attendees connected and built their professional networks, learned career-enhancing new skills and discovered the pulse and beating heart of a truly stunning host destination while raising over $250,000 for SITE Foundation projects on research, education, and advocacy.
“We’ve had Baha Mar on our radar for some time now”, said John Iannini, CIS, CITP, President of the SITE Foundation, “so anticipation amongst our attendee community was almost at fever pitch. Hurricane Dorian did cause problems but once it passed, and the health and safety of our attendees were secure, we were determined to be part of the solution by bringing SITE Classic here and channeling the good news that The Bahamas is very much open for business”.
“Hurricane Dorian was a prime example of how a threat can be turned into an opportunity. We leave The Bahamas personally and deeply enriched as a result of being able to play a small part in the Hurricane Relief program. Our DMC partner in The Bahamas, Cacique International used their unparalleled local connections to create an extensive, meaningful CSR activity where our attendees could get involved and make a difference. We feel privileged to have had this opportunity”, said Anne DiGregory, CITP, Vice President Fundraising, and Events.
Besides a full afternoon of activities in support of hurricane relief on day three of the event, on day two attendees choose from eight options that included an opportunity to take the Certified Incentive Travel Professional (CITP) designation. Highly popular, too, were destination-specific experiences particularly “flexing with the flock”, an outdoor yoga class in the presence of the graceful pink flamingos.
From a fundraising perspective SITE Classic was a resounding success with silent and live auctions raising a combined $250,000 + for SITE Foundation. “SITE Classic is our flagship fundraising event. Its success is down to our incredible sponsors who donate amazing bucket-list travel packages and our patrons and supporters who dig deep to buy them! It’s fitting too that we raise money in and through extraordinary travel experiences – that is, of course, the essence of incentive travel”, said Didier Scaillet, CIS, CITP, CEO of SITE & SITE Foundation.
SITE Classic 2020 will take place in Seattle next Fall; dates TBD.
