SITE Chief Calling It Quits, Successor Being Sought

Jill Harrington, executive vice president and CEO of the Society of Incentive and Travel Executives, last month announced that she would step down at the end of March, after a little more than two years as the head of the organization.

Harrington, who succeeded long-time SITE CEO Bob Vitagliano in January 2000, leaves at a critical time for the incentive travel industry, as corporate international travel, particularly incentive travel, was curtailed in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. In fact, Harrington had informed SITE's board of directors several months ago of her decision to leave, but delayed public notification after the tragedy.

"Our industry was facing difficult times in the wake of Sept. 11 and I did not want my decision to consume even a moment's thought during that time period," Harrington said.

Harrington, who came to SITE after a stint as the managing director of incentives for Maritz Canada Inc. of Toronto, pointed to her lack of an association-management background in the announcement of her impending departure.

"This has been the toughest decision of my career. However, the Society is now in a position where it would be better served by having a knowledgeable industry leader with a management style and experience better suited to the unique environment of association management," Harrington said. "I believe the strongest contribution I can make to the industry is in the area of education and corporate outreach. In taking on this role, I wanted to help the Society and I believe that I have helped the board of directors move SITE to a new level. I look forward to playing a continuing role in the growth and development of an industry about which I am passionate."

SITE president Carolyn Dow, the director of sales and marketing for the Scottish Convention Bureau, said that the process for finding Harrington's replacement has begun, and that Dow will head up that search committee.

"We are moving quickly to consider options for filling the post, but will not be rushing a decision," Dow said. "We have built a strong team at headquarters who will keep things moving soundly."

SITE officials credit Harrington with the development of comprehensive educational programs to measure maximum incentive program return on investment, among other initiatives.

Harrington, who has served as a board member and vice president of SITE Canada and as a member of SITE's Performance Improvement Forum, has been a SITE member for about eight years.