SITE Launches $3M Capital DriveThe Society of Incentive & Travel Executives has launched the first capital drive in its 31-year history to raise money for educational projects and to increase membership among younger professionals, announced association leaders at last week's SITE International Conference 2004 in Merida, Mexico. Bill Boyd, who was inducted as SITE president at the conference
(Meetings Today, Sept. 20), said that the association hopes to raise $3 million to fund educational programs for those who develop, promote and operate incentive programs. The funds also will be applied to identify and bring in the next generation of SITE leaders in a "Bridge the Gap Forum," and to modernize and market the association's Certified Incentive Travel Executive designation. SITE has nearly 1,800 members in 82 countries, with 28 local and regional chapters.
"These educational opportunities will give incentive travel professionals access to the intellectual capital they need to adapt to changing economic conditions," said Roger Dow, chairman of the drive's board and senior vice president, global and field sales at Marriott International Inc. The drive, called FutureSITE, already has raised more than $1 million. Four corporations have been named "Visionary Partners" for donating at least $250,000, including Marriott with $300,000. Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Hilton International and InterContinental Hotels Group each donated $250,000.
DGO Inaugurates Rewards ProgramChicago-based David Green Organization last week launched what is believed to be the only loyalty rewards program offered by a meetings management firm. Planners who book meetings through DGO by March 31, 2005, to be held by Dec. 31, 2006, will receive gift certificates ranging from $500 to $1,100, depending on the number of room nights consumed. The certificates can be redeemed for name-brand consumer electronics, which recipients would choose from a catalog published by a firm that DGO declined to identify.
"This program illustrates our commitment and deep appreciation we have for planners by providing a variety of top products that they can enjoy at home and work," said DGO president and CEO Howard Goldberg. To qualify, planners must retain the services of a representative from DGO's Chicago, New York or Washington, D.C., sales offices. Planners who are unable to accept such rewards because of corporate policy may donate a reward, or its equivalent value, to charity, DGO officials said.
StarCite Expands Into Europe, AfricaMeetings technology firm StarCite Inc. last week announced the addition of more than 19,000 properties and meeting venues in Europe, the Middle East and Africa to its online database, pushing the total number of included properties to 17,000. "Enterprise customers have made it clear that their long-term meeting management strategies don't stop at U.S. borders, nor are they limited to only large-brand hotel properties worldwide," said StarCite founder and CEO John Pino. "The addition of more than 19,000 properties in the EMEA region vastly improves our ability to serve our clients, no matter where they need to meet. This international database expansion is an important step in the strategic plans for StarCite, as well as for our customers."
~Corrie Dosh and Chris Davis