SITE 2005 CHAPTER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

SITE 2005 Chapter of the Year Awards Press Release (pdf)

Chapter of the Year

Honorable Mention: Education

Honorable Mention: Special Event

Honorable Mention: Membership

Honorable Mention: Wild Card & Runner Up for Chapter of the Year

Photo Gallery of the 2005 Chapter of the Year Awards Event

The SITE Southern California is our 2005 SITE Chapter of the Year. This outstanding group is committed to working on new initiatives to bring value to their members and raise awareness of SITE within the industry.

Their theme for the year was “Reaching Out with SITE SoCal” and there were goals the chapter developed around this theme:

• FutureSITE – committing USD $1000 per year for the next three years and issued a chapter challenge for others to match or beat it.
• Scholarship for Hospitality Student
• Support for Tsunami Region
• Work with MPI
• Support other Chapters
• Holiday Charity Event - they upped the goal to USD $100,000 from $80,000 the year before. The event sold out in 37 minutes.

The chapter held 6 events, they have 9 board members (+ past president and chapter administrator), 5 board meetings per year, plus an overnight retreat where the Board develops the goals for the coming year.

Most successful program – Holiday Luncheon and Charity Event; Sponsors host the buyers, but there has to be one planner for every supplier at hosted tables. The tables and attendance are limited to keep the event intimate.

Meetings and events consistently draw 80-100 people.

New for 2005: communicating solely electronically and via web based mail.

Other details that were submitted:

• Use of strategic planning
• New members recruited
• Membership recruitment programs
• Partnering and recruiting of buyers and suppliers

Honorable Mention: Education -- CHICAGO

Take a look at Chicago's Application by Clicking Here

The event was held in St. Kitts and had attendance of 40 people. 30% were suppliers and 70% were buyers. The idea was formed but there was no budget.

Challenges the chapter faced and overcame included:

• Changing locations and dates at the last minute
• Advertising the event
• High cost of airfare to St. Kitts

There were three professional speakers:

• Terry Sjoden
• Jim Feldman
• Susan Cox
• Tim Gard

I have more details on the day-to-day specifics if needed. They also submitted this for a Crystal Award so there were a lot of ‘extras’ included for each attendee.

Honorable Mention: Special Event -- IRELAND

The name of the event was “ Ireland – a Perfect Place to Meet”. The chapter partnered with Failte Ireland, the Irish Tourist Board and was marketed by their offices worldwide. The event drew 118 overseas incentive agents and 100 Irish trade persons. It ran for 4 nights / 5 days.

The goal was to impress the attendees no matter what the weather. Failte Ireland authorized a healthy budget and agreed to pay SITE Ireland a management fee to run the event. The chapter had to work together and forget their competitions in order to make it a success.

The biggest challenge was logistics as participants flew from all over the world. Representatives were on hand from: Australia, USA, S Africa, all over Europe and the UK.

SITE members were positioned at all 4 airports to welcome attendees and transfer them to their allocated 5-star hotel. Other SITE members were stationed at the hotels to greet guests.

The event schedule:

• Friday - Welcome dinner – at Killarney Great Southern Hotel with entertainment by Liam O’Connor
• Saturday – journey to Killarney National Park with bbq lunch with full service and linens; entertainment was provided by 2 actors dressed as sheep who sat, knitted and “baaed” at guests
• Saturday – boat tour on upper, middle and lower lakes, followed by drinks at Molly Darcy’s Pub and the best of traditional Irish entertainment
• Sunday – visit to Muckross Farm and then transfer to Dublin, Old Jameson Distillery visit for tour and tasting, dinner at Number 10 (one of the most exclusive dinner venues in the city), visit to Guinness Storehouse for a tour and dinner
• Monday – educational day
• Monday – final event – exclusive dinner at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, catered by Four Seasons, street entertainment by Macnas, with Irish Wolfhound operated by 9 men, a harpist played during dinner, followed by 7 members of the Drawing Room Opera Company which brought all 300 guests to their feet waving their napkins at the end. Drinks were served at the Burlington Hotel afterward.

All marketing and literature included both SITE and Failte Ireland logos, which really elevated the chapter promotion and SITE’s visibility.

Overall, required a ton of teamwork but was very fun!!

Honorable Mention: Membership – GREAT BRITAIN
The chapter currently has 60 members and has gained 16 new members in the qualifying period of the competition, which equals a 36.5% increase. The chapter targets specific people to join and make them aware of the benefits for both their organization and at a personal level.

New members receive an email from the chapter president and a calendar of events for GB activities, along with past and future event literature.

The chapter has had focusing on membership as one of its goals in its marketing plan prior to the international focus.

Creating the buzz of joining SITE seems to have been the most successful approach. Prospect members that attend events receive a warm welcome. The informal friendly but professional atmosphere has helped create a platform where SITE members are friends who can help one another and not feel intimidated.

Honorable Mention: Wild Card and Runner Up for Chapter of the Year – CANADA

Take a look at Canda's Application by Clicking Here

The 2005 Wild Card winner is SITE Canada who is also the Runner Up for Chapter of the Year this year. Their wild card application is winning for their “Summer Social” event, but they also have lots to brag about regarding how the chapter functions overall.

The Summer Social is in its 14 th year and is the major event for the chapter. It attracts over 100 people and raises the most funds for the SITE Canada’s initiatives, a charity and SITE International initiatives. This year’s event was held at Paramount Conference and Event Venue. It was sponsored by Carnival Cruises and all suppliers provided an item for the auction. There were over 80 items displayed for the silent auction. A new feature for this year’s program was the lighting. The room was lit with laser lighting effects. Each section of the auction was closed at different times to allow the bidders to concentrate on specific areas.

Other specifics for runner up part:

• 88 members, 18 new members this year
• New members are recognized at every event by the Board and on their badge
• They use a presentation to show incentive houses the advantages and benefits of SITE and membership
• Committed Board that is dedicated to SITE and very motivated
• The chapter has increased awareness within the industry through events, enhancing monthly meetings and showcasing SITE and SITE Canada within the incentive industry
• Hold 9 events each year
• Very involved with IC planning – Maria Da Cunha is president and on host committee
• Use strategic planning