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Globetrotting March 2007
Welcome By Christie Pruyn Director of Chapter & Member Relations
I have a life motto. It's a guiding principal that I follow. It's short. It's simple. It's easy to remember. If you do a job, do it right. That's it. Simple enough, right? Think about it.
I'm not certain where I first heard this principal but over time I have committed it to memory so that whenever I embark on a project, it echoes in my head. If I am cleaning my house and want to take a short cut or stop in the middle, I say to myself, “If you do a job, do it right.” That motivates me to finish. If I'm doing conference call minutes or a mundane project that I just don't feel like completing, it comes back to me: “If you do a job, do it right.” It reminds me to do the best job I can no matter what the task or responsibility. I find myself repeating it to my husband, children and co-workers because it seems to fit everyone.
As a chapter member, are you doing the best job you can? Are you involved? Are you taking this responsibility seriously and “doing it right?” You have a passion for the industry and talents to contribute. As an incentive professional, you expect results and are willing to go the extra steps to grow your business. Your SITE chapter expects the same drive, commitment and dedication.
Local activities and inter-chapter connections offer an opportune place to build business relations and continue to develop as a professional. You've joined SITE, that's the first step. Now it's time to evaluate if you are “doing it right” and maximize your SITE membership and local relationships. If you are SITE chapter officer, I challenge you to ask yourself if you are “doing it right” as a leader. Are you paving the way for your chapter? Are you staying in touch with SITE Headquarters, submitting all necessary paperwork and items and taking advantage of innovative SITE programs, like the Chapter Learning Modules and Chapter Leadership Meetings?
I hope you will consider doing more with SITE and on your local level. SITE continues to develop business to business opportunities with new programs like our enhanced SITE Finder Service, Online RFP and continues our commitment to provide opportunities to learn, network and connect with those professionals that will build your business now and in the future. We are lucky to have your commitment to SITE, now let's make sure we're all “doing it right.”
Get to know your SITE Chapter Leadership Council
Why are chapters beneficial to SITE? SITE International encompasses such a large, diverse and multicultural membership, that the local chapters allow its members to share innovative ideas and marketing concepts that relate to their unique market and geographical area.
What do you like most about your job / career? As an executive coach, I love the opportunity to empower clients to stretch beyond their comfort zone, discover their life purpose, and pursue their passions. As a planner, I enjoy the creative process of designing a program and selecting the destination that perfectly meets my clients objectives. If money were no object, where in the world would you go on vacation? A biking and hiking trip through France and Italy.
What are you usually found doing on a Sunday? Hiking to the 7 Sisters Waterfalls in our local Indian Canyons.
What SITE event are you most looking forward to in 2007? The International Conference in Northern California.
Why are chapters beneficial to SITE? It is a just like any global business - you can think globally - but you must act locally - and that is what the chapters are all about - it is about the people on the ground "making it happen". Without the Chapters - SITE would just be a meaningless bureaucratic organisation - with no heart. The Chapters are the hearts, the minds, the soul of SITE
What do you like most about your job / career? I have been in the Hotel business now for 25 years - and I was born into it - as my Father is also a hotelier and my parents met at Hotel School (Shannon) in Ireland ! So - it is "in the blood" and for me it is a lifeline - i love the people I meet, the countries I visit and am passionate about my company - IHG and our industry. It is exciting and ever-changing and with all the turmoil and change in the world and with industries often down-sizing - the hotel and Travel Industry is ever growing - with the world becoming smaller and more accessible for us all.
If money were no object, where in the world would you go on vacation? There are so many places I have not yet visited or explored - I wouldn't know where to start!.... I have never been to the Caribbean - but I also want to visit countries in South America; I want to go to Bali (we have a stunning new hotel there!) and to explore China ....and I still have so much to see in beautiful Europe - every country is so different and special.......not only would I need money to pay for the holidays - but I would need to be away so long - I would have to give up work too ......which I would never want to do!!
What are you usually found doing on a Sunday? Bed first thing!! - I travel so much and am away from home that my husband David calls me a "Sleep Camel" at the weekends!! Then - reading the Sunday newspapers - and a long walk to blow away the weeks' cobwebs - followed by Sunday lunch with my family (very traditional!) - and then the evening watching any "Murder Mystery" that is on TV!! (reality shows do not interest me - I have too much reality during my normal life!!)
What SITE event are you most looking forward to in 2007? I am really excited about ESNEP in Warsaw - I have not been to Warsaw yet - and it is one of those great Eastern European cities that is opening its doors to the world - also such a great time to catch up with people. After that the International Conference in Monterey - California is such a wonderful county - even in the Wintertime!!
Why are chapters beneficial to SITE? It maximize net working between local members. It transmits members opinion, vision and markets status to headquarter i.e centralize worldwide markets feed back into the Site HQ. Excellent channel to updated local members with Site Education Plans.
What do you like most about your job / career?
If money were no object, where in the world would you go on vacation?
What are you usually found doing on a Sunday?
What SITE event are you most looking forward to in 2007?
New Chapter Developments
SITE Headquarters and the Chapter Leadership Council are working with volunteers to investigate and potentially develop the following chapters:
Cotton Belt Eastern Europe Middle East
If you know of any SITE member that would be interested in assisting with the development of those chapters, please contact SITE at hq@site-intl.org.
Chapter Programs
A Chapter Leadership Meeting is planned for ESNEP on 7 May from 8:30 – 10:00. Please plan on attending and representing your chapter.
Photos, testimonials and recaps needed! Has your chapter recently held an event? Send relevant materials to Christie Pruyn at Christie_pruyn@site-intl.org for inclusion in upcoming SITE publications and communications. Help us share your chapter's success with the industry!
Sign up for Online Registration today! Contact Christie Pruyn at Christie_pruyn@site-intl.org on how to simply your chapter's registration process and save time with this FREE service.
Thank you to all chapters and their leaders who assisted with the 2007 SITE membership renewal campaign!
Be sure to stay in touch with your Chapter Leadership Council representative and Christie Pruyn at SITE Headquarters. Make sure you have submitted your chapter's new Board of Directors, updates and events calendars.
Start thinking about your chapter's entry for the 2007 Chapter of the Year Award!
Visit the SITE website today for chapter updates and to download the Chapter Learning Module on Strategic Marketing.
Stay tuned for details on a new SITE/IMEX program – SITE Runs the World!
RFP and Sponsorship Opportunities
2009 RFP – SITE International Conference – Open for Bid Is your destination looking to increase visibility in the incentive market? Consider hosting the 2009 Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE) International Conference. The RFP to host the International Conference is now open. SITE is seeking destinations in North America, Caribbean, and Mexico who are interested in hosting the premier leaders in the incentive industry and showcase all your destination has to offer an incentive group. The destination should be actively servicing the incentive industry and/or interested in showcasing themselves as an emerging incentive destination to a global community. The deadline to submit is 31 June 2007.
2008 RFP – SITE Academy – Open for Bid Has your destination considered hosting SITE's newest event that targets the future leaders of the incentive and travel industry? The location of the 2008 SITE Academy for Young Leaders has not been decided. This is your opportunity to showcase your destination today to tomorrow's leaders.
Sponsorship Opportunities Sponsorship Opportunities are available for 2007 SITE Academy for Young Leaders that is happening this July in London as well as the SITE International Conference in Monterey, CA this December. This is your chance to be involved!
If you are interested in learning more about hosting one the above listed SITE events or sponsorship, please contact Kristin Horstman, CMP, Director of Events & Industry Relations, at Kristin_Horstman@site-intl.org or phone +1 312-673-4713. Deadline to submit RFP is 31 June 2007.
Tales From the Front
The SITE Northern California recently held their first Webinar of the year. This is a new initiative for the chapter that they hope to continue as 2007 progresses and carry them in to the future. Many chapters are beginning to use technology to communicate more effectively and to a greater audience.
Chapter member Tom Campbell of Woodberry Events, gave his opinion of the Webinar by summarizing the following:
“The Webinar for our chapter was fantastic! With all of the members of SITE NC moving very quickly in our fast paced industry, this method of communications works! By using the PowerPoint and the open phone, it is as close as you can get to a live meeting.”
Why did you decide to use a Webinar? Baum: We wanted to introduce the Chapter to our new Board for 2007/08. Several members of our Board do not live in the Bay Area where most of our meetings are held, and we felt this would be a great way to get things going very quickly. Our Chapter is also the Host City for the International Conference and we wanted an easy way to share updates and information with our Chapter.
What was the biggest challenge / concern? Baum: I think it is a great ancillary option for all Chapters who want to reach out to their members. We know it is not easy to participate in face to face meetings or activities, and this application allows more people to get involved. SITE NC typically draws attendees from a very vast region in Northern CA, as do many SITE Chapters, a Webinar is the perfect solution once or twice a year.
2007 SITE Chapter Leadership Council
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