SITE celebrates excellence in incentive travel with annual Crystal Awards

The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) honoured nine companies with Crystal Awards during the association’s Global Conference in Istanbul (26-28 February), celebrating an immense range of skills and triumphs related to incentive travel. This year’s Awards attracted a record number of entries. “I’m so proud at the growth and success on display tonight,” said SITE CEO Annette Gregg. “This is truly a chance to celebrate the very top of our profession, with leaders here who set the stage and prove the amazing power and potential incentive travel uniquely delivers.” The short lists of nominees reflected a range of geographies, clients, and programme features, and signalled a strong, confident future in the continued use of incentive travel as a highly effective and inspirational reward and motivation strategy. “This is always an immensely special evening to be part of,” said Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group (sponsor of the Crystal Awards). “The bar truly is raised higher and higher each year, with nominees pushing themselves and their teams to create impactful programmes and long-lasting memories that will drive performance for months and years to come. It’s always a thrill to be part of recognising these efforts alongside industry friends and colleagues.” Crystal Awards Committee chair Ellie MacPherson was also recognised during the ceremony for re-imagining the Crystal Awards programme as the incentive travel industry’s Oscars. “I pass the baton to my friend and fellow Canadian, Cate Banfield, following four years as chair of this extraordinary programme,” said MacPerson from the stage of the event held 27 February at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski. “Throughout my career as an incentive travel professional I’ve always strived for excellence in designing and delivering incentive travel experiences. I passionately believe that travel experiences, more than any other corporate reward or recognition, truly transform individuals, companies and the destinations they choose. SITE’s Crystal Awards programme recognises that, and honours it appropriately.” Receiving Crystal Awards this year were: Arabian Adventures Meetings, Incentives & Events, for Excellence in Incentive Travel: Africa & Middle East Haute, for Excellence in Incentive Travel: North America MFactor Meetings, for Excellence in Incentive Travel: Europe Next Level Performance, for Most Impactful Effort Toward Corporate Social Responsibility as Part of an Incentive Travel Programme PHP Event Services, for Excellence in Incentive Travel: Asia-Pacific Portugal Travel Team, for Best Destination-Based Experiential Incentive Travel Programme  Spectra DMC, for Most Creative Solution Deployed to Overcome Adversity streamlinevents, for Excellence in Incentive Travel: Latin America and the Caribbean Synergy Effect, for Excellence in Incentive Travel: Asia-Pacific  Special congratulations were extended to MFactor Meetings again as the inaugural recipient of the ‘Par Excellence’ award, a new prize introduced at this year’s ceremony that recognises outstanding overall incentive travel accomplishments. More information about all winning entries will be available soon on the SITE website, and applications for the next Crystal Awards programme will open in June 2024.