SITE Global Conference 2026 concluded in Abu Dhabi after four days of education, peer engagement and industry recognition.
The event brought together incentive travel leaders, buyers, suppliers and destinations to examine performance, innovation and evolving expectations across the global events sector.Through main-stage sessions, workshops and open discussions, delegates explored how incentive travel delivers measurable business value while responding to risk considerations, changing business models and rapid industry transformation. The programme featured keynote speaker James Taylor alongside business leaders and subject matter experts addressing the business case for incentive travel, security, resilience and return on investment.
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 conference combined educational content with destination immersion. Delegates engaged with venues, cultural experiences and hospitality offerings, using the setting to frame discussions on innovation, sustainability and long-term value. Organisers noted that the destination experience reinforced the role of immersion in quality education and programme design.
A highlight of the week was the Crystal Awards Gala held at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi on Friday, 13 February. During the ceremony, SITE announced the winners of the 2026 SITE Crystal Awards, recognising organisations and individuals for creativity, operational excellence and measurable 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.”
The 2026 SITE Crystal Awards winners were:
- 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 confirmed that the 2027 SITE Global Conference will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia, from 1 to 4 March 2027. Royce Chwin, President & CEO, Destination Vancouver, said: “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,”.
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.
Tags: Royce Chwin, Destination Vancouver Annette Gregg, SITE
