The SITE Foundation hosted an evening of solidarity, celebration and business exchanges when over 350 SITE members, industry colleagues and IMEX hosted buyers gathered for SITE Nite Europe, 18 April, at the Kameha Suite, a magnificent villa located beside the Frankfurt Opera House. SITE Nite Europe is the first of three SITE Foundation annual events that raise funds to facilitate vital research and educational program support for the global incentive travel community.
Co-chair for the event, Padraic Gilligan, managing partner at SoolNua said, “SITE is all about the motivational impact of Incentive Travel and often this is connected to the uniqueness of the venues we select. Kameha Suite, where we hosted SITE NITE Europe this year, is a truly inspirational venue and was the perfect home for SITE in Frankfurt.”
During the event, Gilligan and SITE Nite co-chair, Marina Parra-Flechsig, owner of Weichlein Tours & Incentives asked guests to join them for a moment of solidarity in tribute to cities that have experienced recent terrorist attacks. “Now more than ever, we must stand together to strengthen the industry and to offer help where needed. Let’s have a moment of silence to honor all the victims,” Gilligan stated.
The evening also included a celebration to honor SITE Italy’s 25th Anniversary, complete with cutting of the cake by chapter members. SITE Italy marked the special occasion by contributing a cash donation to the SITE Foundation to support its mission of enhancing the awareness and effectiveness of motivational experiences and incentive travel.
“In addition to the wonderful venue, SITE Nite could not have been possible without the support from all of our sponsors: IMEX Group, Melia Hotels International, Hard Rock Hotels All Inclusive Collection, MCI, Essential Costa Rica, Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort, Dominican Republic Tourist Board, Munich Convention Bureau, AlliedPRA, ADMEI, Spectra DMC, and Cvent,” shared John Iannini, SITE Foundation vice president of fundraising and vice-president, Melia Hotels International. “Proceeds from SITE Nite enable the Foundation to continue our mission of delivering valuable research to strengthen the business case for incentive travel worldwide.”