SITE Global Conference closes in Abu Dhabi with Vancouver confirmed for 2027

The four-day event included celebration of the annual Crystal Awards winners

The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) has closed its 2026 SITE Global Conference in Abu Dhabi, bringing together incentive travel leaders, buyers, suppliers, and destinations for several days of high-impact education, peer-to-peer connection, and industry recognition.

Across main-stage sessions, workshops, and candid conversations, attendees explored how incentive travel delivers measurable business value while responding to evolving expectations, risk considerations, and rapid innovation across the global events industry. 

The programme featured a line-up of expert speakers, including keynote speaker James Taylor, alongside business leaders and subject matter experts addressing current challenges and opportunities shaping incentive travel. Sessions examined the business case for incentive travel, shifting business models, risk and security, and practical steps organizations can take to deliver stronger ROI for stakeholders.

Annette Gregg, CEO of SITE, said: “This week in Abu Dhabi showed what is possible when our community comes together with a clear focus on outcomes. From practical ideas for proving programme impact, to candid conversations about risk, wellbeing, and resilience, the content and connections reinforced the business case for incentive travel and the responsibility we share in how we deliver it.”

Hosted in Abu Dhabi, the programme paired conference content with destination immersion that demonstrated how incentives can be designed to inspire, perform, and create positive local benefit. Delegates engaged with the city’s venues, cultural experiences, and hospitality, with Abu Dhabi providing a strong setting for discussions about innovation, sustainability, and long-term value. Throughout the week, the destination experience reinforced the role of immersion in quality education, creating space for wonder, awe, and creativity that help planners design more meaningful, motivating programmes.

A highlight of the week was the Crystal Awards Gala at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi on Friday, 13th February, where SITE announced the winners of the 2026 SITE Crystal Awards, recognizing organizations and individuals raising standards through creativity, measurement, and impact. Annette Gregg said: “Congratulations to this year’s winners and recognized organizations. Each programme reflects the skill, care, and leadership that keeps incentive travel evolving, from creative design and operational excellence to measurable impact for people, businesses, and destinations. These honors set a clear standard for what best in class looks like in our industry.”

2026 SITE Crystal Awards winners

• Best Destination-Based Experiential Incentive Travel Program: One10, LLC, Layers of Argentina: A Tailored Journey of Reward and Discovery

• Excellence in Incentive Travel, Africa and Middle East: Wynford, TELUS Presidents Club

• Excellence in Incentive Travel, Asia Pacific: Creative Travel Pvt. Ltd., Viaje Diamantes 2025: India–Maldives

• Excellence in Incentive Travel, Europe: Moniker

• Excellence in Incentive Travel, North America: Creative Group

• Excellence in Incentive Travel, Latin America and Caribbean: VAOVA Travel, A Tale Woven Between Cultures

• Most Creative Solution Deployed to Overcome Adversity: Maritz, HON Team Up 2025

• Most Impactful Effort Toward CSR as Part of an Incentive Program: Achieve Incentives & Meetings, El Mercadito

• Special Commendation for Excellence in Motivational Marketing: MFactor Meetings, Partnership Retreat 2024

• Grand Prix, Par Excellence Award: Creative Travel Pvt. Ltd. 

SITE revealed that the 2027 SITE Global Conference will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia, March 1 to 4, 2027.  “Destination Vancouver is pleased that our city has been selected to host the SITE Global Conference in 2027 and to welcome the world’s leading incentive travel decision-makers,” said Royce Chwin, President & CEO, Destination Vancouver.

The IMEX Group sponsors SITE's Crystal Awards throughout the year, supporting industry recognition for excellence in incentive travel.

SITE Global Conference 2026 was hosted with the support of Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau and The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.