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ABOUT SITE
Founded in 1973, the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) is comprised of 2,000+ members and 31 local chapters. SITE Chicago is the largest Chapter in the Midwest USA. Our members are incentive travel professionals who know from experience that incentive travel drives business results. The SITE global member community, which represents 84 countries is on a mission to strengthen and inspire this extraordinary industry.
Learn more about SITE Global here.
SITE Chicago President
Bonnie Coop, CIS, CITP
PRESIDENT'S LETTER
Dear SITE Chicago Chapter Members,
Happy New Year! I want to first take a minute to thank all of my predecessors who have helped me believe I could take on the challenge of this new role as your President for SITE Chicago in 2023. Truly watching you all do it and make it look “easy” has given me hope that this year will be just as amazing. I want to personally thank Rose McCullough (Hippert) and Lorraine Bellas who have been my personal cheerleader this last year, thank you for everything – expect a few calls!
It is my honor to have been voted in and to be serving as your 2023 SITE Chicago’s President! While 2022 was our revival year - this year is sure to bring its own challenges that are already presenting themselves: from economic challenges & staffing shortages, to a rapid fire of events back-to-back. SITE Chicago wants to be your resource and destination for peer or 1:1 questions to our Board on just how we can assist you. We welcome you to reach out and have a call with us and discuss things or just to have a friendly conversation. I look forward to the opportunities this year will bring and to meeting you all at our events!
Your SITE Chicago Board of Directors is excited and ready for a year of connecting more with our members. We will be bringing back some of our traditional events such as the 9th Annual Holly Trolley and our 2nd Young Leaders Powered Grand Slam Event. We’re also excited to continue our dedication toward expanding our reach into Wisconsin and Michigan with 2 new events which will bring exciting networking and educational events to all three destinations!
My goals this year include: continuing to build a strong member chapter, focus on connecting with and driving more value for our members as well as reinforce the amazing work our Board is already doing. With the 50th Anniversary of SITE Global we are excited to continue putting forth effort toward content which enhances and dives deeper into topics they are already discussing, supporting their events, as well as make this just as amazing of a year as ever! We have a few new members on the Board and committees this year and so many that are/have been dedicated already, everyone is very passionate about our chapter and making it the best it can be that I hope you have an opportunity to see what we have to offer!
Cheers to 2023 & thank you for your commitment to SITE Chicago!
Bonnie Coop, CIS, CITP
President, SITE Chicago
MEET THE BOARD
Rose Hippert, CIS, CITP
Lorraine Bellas, CIS, CITP
Vice President Administration
Regional Meetings & Incentive Groups Manager
Sandals and Beaches Resorts
Celeste Kelley, CITP
Amie Devine, CMP
Amy Young,CMP
Diane Murray, CMP, HMCC, CIS, CITP
Lisa Crolius, CIS
Vice President of Education
Senior Sales Executive
Westin Grand Cayman Resort
Andrew Neubauer, CIS
Vice President of Membership
Account Direcgtor
Atlantis Paraidise Island
Craig Dooley
Patti Elliott, CIS
Co-Vice President of Sponsorship
Director Group & Incentive Sales
Mandarin Oriental, Canouan
Nancy McFadyen
Co-Vice President of Sponsorship
Director of Group Sales
Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau
TESTIMONIALS
SITE Chicago has been an open and inviting forum for incentive professionals in the Midwest. They have hosted fun and engaging networking events along with providing the resources of SITE global. During the pandemic they have continued to deliver. The virtual Holly Trolly proved to be a fun and engaging event even though we could not do it in person. They have demonstrated that we can still derive benefit from meeting and developing relationships during the most difficult of times for our industry. I look forward to future events and opportunities to connect with this vibrant chapter, whether it is in person or over Zoom!
SANDI DANIEL
President & CEO, FIRE Light Group
As a member of Site Chicago since 2011, I just want to say how excited I am to participate with the Chapter since the revitalization within board and the membership in the last few years. What this team has accomplished is amazing and I am so happy to be a part of this growth!
LORRAINE BELLAS, CIS, CITP
Regional Meetings & Incentive Groups Manager, Unique Vacations Inc.
My company, AlliedPRA, has 22 members in SITE Globally. I knew my teams knew the benefits of SITE membership. There are so many great people involved with SITE and you get leads from both planners and other suppliers which is really nice. It’s a great group to be affiliated with for sure and everyone helps each other out. An awesome cast of characters for sure.
MARGIE MCCARTNEY, DMCP, CIS
Global Sales Director, PRA Business Events
The most important aspect acquired through membership in SITE is the range of reliable relationships in the incentive community. SITE creates a valuable forum that has created great connection to partners in all areas that support the incentive market including, clients, DMC and airline partners as well as my counterparts in the hotel community.
LYNN PAVONY
As a SITE member you get the opportunity to participate in educational sessions pertaining only to incentive travel, whether it’s planning, logistics, or the on-site experience. SITE is the only global authority connecting members to business leaders who are looking for improved performance. A member also develops a network of resources to help in all segments of their reward and recognition experience. Once business results are achieved, SITE helps to maintain the performances-based incentive culture.
DANA WEAVER, CIS, CITP
SITE Chicago has afforded me opportunities to improve my knowledge, grow my networks of industry contacts, and enhance my leadership skills. I truly consider SITE Chicago to be family. Members support one another and acquaintances quickly become friends. It’s important to get involved. What you give to SITE is amplified and returned back to you in ways you’d never expect.
REBECCA WRIGHT, CIS, CITP
In all my years of attending various industry related organizations, I have found the SITE Chicago Chapter and their events fantastic. The events are in great places, the content and programs are relevant and timely, and most important - the members! Networking, introductions to one another, referals and actually talk real business! I hate missing a meeting!
BOB BEACH