The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) Classic 2026 concluded yesterday at the El Conquistador Resort in Puerto Rico, raising US$276,000 for the SITE Foundation through live and silent auctions.
The four-day flagship event brought together over 270 senior incentive travel leaders for networking, education, and destination showcases supported by Discover Puerto Rico, El Conquistador Resort, and Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest Beach & Golf Resort.
During the gathering, the SITE Foundation unveiled its second annual Impact Report, detailing how raised funds directly support professional development, academic research, and industry relief. The report highlighted over US$10 million invested in incentive travel professionals since 1987, including US$2.5 million between 2016 and 2026 alone. These investments have funded more than 130 projects and directly or indirectly impacted over 20,000 individuals over the past decade.
In addition to funding major benchmark research – such as the annua_l Incentive Travel Index_ produced with Oxford Economics – the Foundation continues to resource key professional credentials and grants. This year’s initiatives include awarding nine SITE Global Conference Scholarships valued at up to US$6,000 each, backing the NextGen Fund, providing personal crisis support through the SITE Relief Fund, and delivering financial grants to over 40 SITE chapters globally.
“The US$276,000 raised at this year’s SITE Classic is not an end result – it is an investment in people who strengthen our industry and shape its future,” said Jonathan Richards, president of the SITE Foundation.
SITE also announced that the Riviera Maya, Mexico, will host the next SITE Classic from August 30 to September 2, 2027.
