The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Hosts SITE Global Conference 2026, As Experts Gather to Explore the Future of Incentive Travel, Motivation, and Performance Enhancement with a Bold New Vision

The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi is setting the stage for the SITE Global Conference 2026, bringing together leading experts in incentive travel to explore innovative strategies for enhancing motivation and performance. This year’s conference promises to redefine industry standards with a bold new vision, focusing on the evolving role of incentive travel as a strategic tool to drive results and strengthen organizational culture. With thought-provoking discussions and cutting-edge insights, the event marks a pivotal moment in shaping the future of incentive travel.

The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) has officially kicked off the SITE Global Conference 2026 at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, welcoming incentive travel professionals from across the globe for a four-day event from February 12 to 15, 2026.

Set against a backdrop of the destination’s rich cultural history and modern innovations, this year’s conference is centered around the theme “Wonder, Awe & Curiosity,” encouraging participants to explore the driving forces behind human motivation, enhanced performance, and the creation of measurable value through incentive travel.

The opening session, which included the Chapter Excellence Awards, set a compelling tone by emphasizing a key message: incentive travel is more than just a perk—it’s a strategic tool that aids organizations in attracting and retaining top talent, fostering company culture, enhancing partner relationships, and driving results when programs are carefully designed and evaluated for their impact. Throughout the event, attendees will engage in discussions about the challenges currently facing incentive travel leaders, including shifting business models, security and risk management, ethical technology usage, sustainability, wellness, and demonstrating return on investment (ROI).

Among the distinguished speakers at the conference will be James Taylor, an award-winning keynote speaker, author, and expert on creativity, innovation, and artificial intelligence. Taylor will inspire delegates to reconsider the potential of collaboration between humans and intelligent machines, and how curiosity can lead to more innovative strategies and better outcomes.

Annette Gregg, CEO of SITE, said: “SITE Global Conference is where our community comes together to reconnect with purpose and return to our organisations with ideas we can apply immediately. This week in Abu Dhabi, we are focusing on wonder, awe and curiosity because those mindsets unlock better design, stronger partnerships, and more meaningful experiences for participants. At the same time, we will stay grounded in what leaders need most right now: practical tools, responsible innovation, and a clear business case for incentive travel that stands up in any boardroom.” 

Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director of host organisation Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, said: “SITE’s first global conference in the region will showcase the very best of what Abu Dhabi has to offer to leading travel professionals. From beaches to museums, from fine dining to world-class hotels, Abu Dhabi is an ‘incentive ready’ destination and incentive travel is a key element of our Tourism Strategy 2030. We value ongoing collaboration with SITE members, and we are ready to work together to grow the incentive travel segment for the emirate.”

Winners of the SITE Chapter Excellence Awards 2026

At the opening ceremony, the SITE Chapter Excellence Awards were presented to chapters that have exemplified SITE’s core mission through their dedication to education, leadership, inclusion, sustainability, and community impact.

Excellence in Young Leaders: SITE Northeast
Recognized for its creation of a well-structured Young Leaders program, SITE Northeast has fostered a culture of mentorship, inclusion, and intentional partnerships. The chapter’s flagship speed-mentoring event has significantly boosted engagement and established a clear leadership pipeline.

Excellence in Membership: SITE Northern California
Honored for impressive membership growth and retention, SITE Northern California’s success is attributed to its personalized welcome and buddy systems, connection-driven events that brought planners and suppliers together, and a feedback approach that made members feel heard and valued.

Excellence in Education: SITE Minnesota
SITE Minnesota was recognized for hosting the largest educational program in its history. The immersive and well-rounded learning journey covered topics such as AI, leadership, resilience, and productivity, with creativity and impact demonstrated through an Olympic-themed framework.

Excellence in Special Event: SITE Scotland
SITE Scotland received recognition for organizing an exceptional incentive-style signature event. This event successfully blended destination storytelling, supplier engagement, sustainability, and meaningful connections, resulting in strong attendance, new member conversions, and added value for partners.

Excellence in Sustainable Event: SITE Florida & Caribbean
Celebrated for its Earth Day 2025 program, SITE Florida & Caribbean led the way in sustainable event planning by incorporating a plant-based menu, zero-waste operations, reusable materials, and full composting. This initiative aligned with SITE’s Sustainable Event Guidelines and eight UN Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating measurable reductions in single-use items and CO2 emissions.

Rising Star Chapter of the Year: SITE Spain & Portugal
SITE Spain & Portugal was recognized for its transformative market merger, which resulted in rapid growth, financial stability, and renewed regional energy. The chapter’s forward-thinking Young Leaders initiative also showcased measurable outcomes, driving future success.

Chapter of the Year: SITE Midwest
SITE Midwest was awarded Chapter of the Year for its exemplary leadership, governance, and collaboration. The chapter has built a robust regional ecosystem of programming, best practice sharing, and transparent, sustainable leadership, positioning it as a model for the entire organization.

Gregg concludes: “It is a privilege to celebrate our chapters. They are the heartbeat of SITE, and the work they do grows careers, strengthens communities, and advances excellence across our industry. The Chapter Excellence Awards remind us that connection is not accidental, it is built through leadership, inclusion, education, and the commitment to create belonging.” 

SITE Global Conference 2026 goes beyond its educational sessions by offering immersive destination discovery experiences, highlighting Abu Dhabi as a top choice for incentive travel. These experiences are crafted to foster meaningful discussions and build valuable connections that drive business growth.

The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi is hosting the SITE Global Conference 2026, where industry experts will explore the future of incentive travel. The conference will focus on enhancing motivation, performance, and the strategic role of incentive travel in organizational success. With a bold new vision, this event will set the tone for the next generation of incentive travel.

The event is proudly hosted with the collaboration of the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau and The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.

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