SITE 2004 CHAPTER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Chapter of the Year
Honorable Mention: Revitalization
Honorable Mention: Spirit of the Year
Honorable Mention: Education and Communication
Honorable Mention: Special Event
Chapter of the Year -- FLORIDA
SITE is thrilled and honored to announce the SITE Florida Chapter as the 2004 SITE Chapter of the Year. This well established group is led by President Sean Mahoney, of SilverSeas Cruises, and was runner up in 2003. SITE Florida is the largest SITE chapter with over 125 members. Their Board consists of 18 members and met 8 times this year. In 2004, the chapter held 6 very successful events, including one that raised $1000usd for the SITE International Conference charity, the Children of Tipoco. The chapter continues to be on the cutting edge, building a web site and furthering its highly successful partnership with eMeetings Online to produce event notices, process online payments and manage event attendees and their database of over 800 members and supporters. In addition, the chapter hired a full time paid administrator to provide clerical support and allow the Board of Directors to function more efficiently.
Honorable Mention: Revitalization – AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND
The SITE Australia / New Zealand Chapter is recognized with an honorable mention for its work in revitalizing and restructuring. The chapter faced numerous challenges in 2004, including job transfers, loss of Board members and other changes such as being spread over such a vast geographical space. The group refocused and dedicated itself to revival. A new Board was elected and meetings are under way and membership is growing. The new strategy has been welcomed by the local tourism bodies such as Tourism Australia , who is interested in being involved with a research opportunity with the SITE Foundation. The chapter plans to present a workshop at the upcoming 2005 AIME Exhibition in Melbourne and is working with the tourism bureaus to host and upcoming SITE International Conference.
Honorable Mention: Spirit of the Year – GREAT BRITAIN
SITE Great Britain is being honored for Spirit of the Year, which is a true testament to the members' commitment and character over the past 12 months. The chapter has achieved success on two levels, at their meetings and at the board level. The board has self-motivated to take the necessary steps to incent current members to participate in its programs and reach out to new areas. Part of the chapter's strategy has consisted of extra mailings, which translates into extra work that they willingly accepted. Another key component is to divide event duties between people and not specifically named chairs, and, finally, retaining the attitude of “do what it takes to make it work”.
Their meeting and events have been very successful; the last one had 70 attendees, b/c they have put the focus on individual and personal issues. They are trying to encourage new younger members to join and attend and expand their base by teaching the business of incentives, not meeting planning.
Honorable Mention: Education and Communication -- MEXICO
SITE Mexico is a leading chapter for SITE. They are being honored with an honorable mention for Education and Communication. This year, the chapter has organized the first ever Latin American Track Program to work in conjunction with the SITE International Conference. In addition, they held over 10 educational seminars around the country and have begun to expand educational offerings into South America, starting with Guatemala . Their communications plan includes working with the media to promote SITE, partnering with regional and federal tourism organizations, 0ther industry associations and the continual support of the local government. SITE Mexico has worked hard to position its chapter and SITE ahead of other associations. In addition, they have clearly communicated the message that incentives are the most important activity of Mexico . SITE is present and represented at every opportunity at events in Mexico and in the media through regular press conferences and breakfast seminars.
Honorable Mention: Special Event -- SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The SITE Southern California has a long history of successful events and thorough strategic planning. 2004 has been no different for the chapter starting with its innovative theme for the year, the World of SITE. All events, speakers and locations are planned around this central idea. The biggest and most successful event that the chapter runs is its annual Holiday Event which has been titled “Fiesta Familia”. This year, the event sold out in its first day. 3 children's charities benefit and fund raising has exceeded the past four years. The program has grown to a two day event, with a golf outing and wine tasting set up prior to the event. SITE Southern California has been honored for this event in the past, but it deserves continued recognition because it continues to grow, draw more attention and become even more recognized within SITE and the chapter community.
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