Dublin: ‘remarkable accessibility’ secures SITE annual conference

SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence) has chosen Dublin as the destination for its Global Conference in 2021.

Following the review of several international bids, SITE’s board of directors selected Ireland’s National Tourism Development Agency, Fáilte Ireland’s, “Meet in Ireland” bid for a multitude of reasons, including its portfolio of hotels and venues, convenient global access and its socio-cultural appeal.

Philip Eidsvold, SITE president, said: “While we received several strong submissions to host Global Conference in 2021, Meet in Ireland’s proposal was distinguished by a combination of powerful logistical considerations such as Dublin’s remarkable accessibility and a true sense of partnership with the entire destination working together as a single unit in support of the bid.”

Ciara Gallagher, manager at Fáilte Ireland added: “This was a true pan-destination submission and our entire local team is looking forward to co-creating with SITE a truly unique Global Conference with Dublin as your village.”

SITE has a 40-year history with Ireland, dating back to 1973 when it elected its first president, Anne Wold Graham, an employee at the Irish Tourist Board in New York. SITE’s relationship with Ireland has continued to grow and SITE Ireland is now the society’s biggest chapter outside of North America with more than 120 members.

Didier Scaillet, CEO of SITE said: “With established chapters in nearby Scotland and Great Britain, resurgent chapters in Germany, Benelux, Spain and Italy and other new European chapters coming online soon, we’re looking forward to a Global Conference in Dublin in February 2021, with a distinctive European flavour and feel.”

SITE now has a global network of 2,500 members from 90 countries, representing industries in the meetings and incentive supply chain, such as airlines, agencies and cruise companies.

Incentive travel accounts for seven per cent of all business event activities and according to the Events Industry Council’s Global Economic Impact study (2018), the incentive industry is worth around $75 billion globally.

The annual SITE Global Conference is a hallmark event for the society, one that aims to connect and educate incentive industry professionals.

SITE Global Conference 2020 will be held in Vancouver between 24-27 January.

EDGE Venues recently ran a Destination of the Week on Dublin, highlighting just some of its key selling points. Check out some of it’s hottest venues and why it is such a popular destination for events.