president’s message - site canada · wine to water is an organization started by doc hendley, a...

sitelines

Welcome to the Winter 2011 edition of ‘sitelines’

your Site Canada Newsletter

In this edition

• Message from your 2011 Site Canada President, Joe Orecchio

• 2010SiteVolunteerChampionfinalists• 100+andgrowing…amembershipmilestonefor

Site Canada• ‘CelebratingTrueBravery…again’…Reporton

theWinterSocial,andSiteCanada’scommitmenttosupportChildhoodCancerCanada

• FeatureReportsfromtheScholarshipWinners…the2010SiteInternationalConferenceinCapeTown,SouthAfrica

• Sponsorshipopeningsstillavailablefor2011…• Introducing…

Yournew2011SiteCanadaBoardofDirectors

‘sitelines’ispublishedsixtimesayeartokeepyouinformedofwhat’shappeninginCanadaandaroundtheWorld,what’snew,upcomingevents,andlinkagestomembersandotherSiteGlobalChapters.

publishedFebruary10,2011

President’sMessageGoals – not “he shoots, he scores!” goals, but the end towards which effort is directed. Naturally,asPresidentofSiteCanada,Iamrequiredtohavegoals,

andwiththatinmind,IwouldliketointroduceyoutooneofthemthatIhavesetfor2011.AsyouwilllearnifyouattendtheSiteAGMonFebruary10,allofthegoalsIhavesetrelateinsomewaytogivingback.ThatisnottosaythatSiteCanadahasn’tbeenapillarofcorporatesocialresponsibility(CSR),butIfeelthatthisisthecoreofanyassociation.OneofmygoalsthisyearwillbetomarkedlyincreaseourCanadianchapter’sinvolvementincommunityservice.(Andno,Ihaven’tbeenbustedforanything.)

IthinkthisgoalcametotheforeduringtheSiteInternationalConferenceinSouthAfrica.TheconferencehadsomuchtoofferthedelegatesbutIwouldbewillingtobetifyouspoketoanyonewhoattended,themostsignificantbenefitwascontrib-utingtotheMamaRosie’sBaphumeleleOrphanageandlearn-ingaboutWinetoWater.

TheBaphumeleleOrphanagecametorealitythroughtheeffortsandcareofRosaliaMashale(MamaRosie).BaphumeleleOrphanagestartedwithoneabandonedkidleftatRosie’sdoor.Nowadays,Baphumelelegivesshelterto182kidspermanently,plus300thatcomefortheday.

WinetoWaterisanorganizationstartedbyDocHendley,abartenderfromNorthCarolina.WinetoWaterprovidescleandrinkingwatertoimpoverishedregionsoftheworld.Hestartedwithonewinetastingeventtoseeiftheideawouldtakeoff,anditdid.InFebruary2004,thefirstfundraiserwasheld,andjustsixmonthslater,DocwaslivinginDarfur,Sudaninstallingwatersystemsforvictimsofthegovernment-supportedgeno-cide.WhenDocreturnedhomeinAugust2005thehauntingmemoriesofwhathehadseeninDarfurdrovehimtocontinuebuildingtheorganizationhestarted.

ItisinthespiritofthesetwoorganizationsthatIfeelafocusonCSRshouldbeagoalforSiteCanadathisyear.SiteCanadahasgeneratedcloseto$40,000.00forourcharityofchoice,ChildhoodCancerCanadaFoundation(CCCF),forthepast4years.Andwhilethisisafantasticachievement,thisyearIfeelwearecapableofdoingmore.Ihavechallengedtheboardto

2010PresidentCathyO’ConnorReceivesSiteGlobalMembershipAwardinCapeTown,SouthAfrica

…continuedonnextpage

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contemplatewhatthismeans.Overthenextcoupleofmonthswewillestablishaplanforwhatweintendtodo,whetherweincreaseoursupportforCCCF,ordiversifytoincludeotherworthyorganizations.Anyfeedbackiscertainlyappreciated.InthiseditionofSiteLinesyouwillreadaboutanothergreatexampleofhowourdonationmoniesareputtoworkthroughtheeyesofoneoftheCCCFscholarshiprecipients.

Bythetimeyouarereadingthis,theAGMshouldeitherbejustabouttohappen,orhavejusthappened.IttakesplaceonFebruary10atHotelLeGermaininMapleLeafSquareinDowntownToronto,andwillprovideanopportunityforyoutomeetthenew2011SiteCanadaBoardofDirectors.Wehaveanumberofgreateventsplannedthroughouttheyear.PleasemarkMarch23onyourcalendarforthefirstChapterMeetingoftheyear.Asyouwillreadlater,itwillbeonetoremember.Also,whileitisnotSitespecific,April14thisNationalMeetingsIndustryDay.AsamemberoftheNMIDcommittee,Icantellyouthiswillbeaneventnottobemissed.

Mypartingwords–BeingamemberofSiteisgreat,butpar-ticipatingonacommitteeiswherethemaximumvalueforyouisachieved.Ifyouareinterestedinjoiningoneofourcommit-tees,pleasecontactLizAkey,VicePresidentMembershipliz@emamarketing.ca.

IamveryproudtobeyourPresident,andamlookingforwardtoworkingwith,andfor,eachofyou.

Joe OrecchioPresident Site Canada

AccountExecutive,CWTMeetings&Events

…President’sMessagecontinued

CongratulationstothesixSiteVolunteerChampionNomineesfor2010

1) RebeccaAlexander–TourismLondon2) TraceyBrenneman–PRADestinationManagement3) MoiraHearn–SelectGroupMarketing4) RachaelStreak-Buma–FairmontRoyalYorkHotel5) JaneWallbridge–CarlsonMarketingGroup6) TerryManion–MeridicanIncentiveConsultants

The2010winnerwillbeannouncedattheSiteCanadaAGMonFebruary10th.

2010SiteVolunteerChampionfinalists

100+andgrowing…amembershipmilestonefor Site Canada WeareproudtoreportthatourCanadianChaptercontinuedtogrowthroughoneoftheworsteconomicperiods,andnownumbers104members.Retentionwasverystrongwithalmost90%membershiprenewals,whichspeaksvolumesforthevaluemembersgetoutofbeingamemberofSite.

Wearerampingupforanotherexcellentyear,andencourageyoutogetinvolvedmoreandjoinacommittee.Didyouknowthatalmostonethirdofourmemberswereinvolvedonvariouscommitteeslastyear?

Wehavemanyportfoliosandspecialtasksforces,soweurgeyoutogetinvolvedandassistusincontinuingtomakethisavibrantanddynamicChapter!Herearesomeoftheportfolioswhereyourknowledgeandenthusiasmwillbemostwelcome:

• EducationDay• ChapterMeetings• PublicRelations&Publications• Sponsorship• Membership&YoungLeaders• GolfTournament

FormoreinformationonjoiningaSitecommitteeorifyouhaveanyideasforaspecialproject,pleasecontactLizAkey,CMPliz@emamarketing.caor,callher905-338-6222

MembersMusingsWelcome New Site Canada

MembersAverywarmwelcometoournewestSitemembers:

• DinahClose–NovoNordisk• JoeanneComisso–VIARailCanada• KimberlyHartley–MyrtleBeachArea

Convention&VisitorsBureau• AlexandreTessier–LeSaint-SulpiceHotel

Montreal

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CelebratingTrueBravery…AgainSiteCanada’sWinterSocialhasbecomeatraditiontocelebratetheHolidaySeason,yettobemindfulofitsmembers’com-mitmenttosupportworthycauses,suchasthatofChildhoodCancerCanadaFoundation(CCCF).Lastyear,SitememberssawandheardtheincrediblestoriesofTobin,age10andAdam,age7.Betweenthesetwoboys,theyhadbeenintreatmentforcancerformorethan10yearsoftheirlives.MembersheardabouttheirstringsofBraveryBeadsandhoweachbeadonthestringsrepresentedatreatmentorprocedurethattheboyshadenduredintheirbattletoovercomecancer.BetweenthemTobinandAdamhadoveronethousandbeads!

Thisyear,asoldoutcrowdofSitemembersattheWestinHarbourCastleHotelinToronto,heardaboutthescholarshipprogramawardedbyCCCFtoCanadianstudentsineveryprov-inceandoneterritory.Inthepastfiveyearstheyhaveawardedmorethan300suchscholarships,celebratingwitheachwinnertheirsecondchanceatlife.Manychildhoodcancersurvivorsareinspiredtoenterthefieldofhealthsciences:pharmacy,medicineorhealthcarebecauseoftheirexperiences.Theywillmakeextraordinarypharmacists,nurses,doctorsandresearchers.SiteCanadawasdelightedtowelcomeMaryLye,Director,FamilyandCommunityServicesatCCCF,andDianaMerinowhowona$5,000TEVACanadaScholarshiptosupporthercontinuingstudiesintogeneticresearchintopediatriccancer.Inherwords,Diana’sstorywasveryinspiring:

“Cancerknockedonmydoorforthefirsttimejustbeforemy13thbirthday.ItcamedressedasHodgkin’sdisease,stageIIIBandstuckaroundformorethaneightmonths.Remissionlastedaboutayear,andafewmonthsaftermy15thbirthday,myoldfriendshoweduplikealatebirthdaypresent,stron-gerthaneverandrav-agingwhatIhadbeguntorebuild.

Cancerboughtperspec-tive,patienceandreli-ance,strengthenedmyfaithandmademereal-izehowblessedIwasto

havemyfamily’sloveandsupport.Italsoopenedmyeyestotheincredibleworkhealth-carepractitioners,nursesandresearchersperformdailyandhoweachofthem,intheirownway,contributedtomyrecovery.”

IhavecompletedaBiologyundergraduatedegreeandspe-cializedinCellandMolecularBiology.Aftergraduation,Iwasintroducedtothefieldofgeneticresearchanditsapplicationtodiseasediagnosis,preventionandmanagementthroughaNutrigenomicsprojectattheUniversityofGuelph.

IwouldnowliketodoaPhDworkingunderDrDavidMalkinattheUniversityofToronto,studyingthegeneticsusceptibilitytocancerandtheefficacyofcancertreatmentinchildrenaccordingtotheirgeneticmakeup.

CancerknockedonmydoorforareasonandIamnowcertainthatmylifewillinvolvegivingbacktothecommunitywiththededicationIputintomyresearch.

TheChildhoodCancerFoundationhasbeenagreathelpinthedevelopmentofmyacademiccareer.ThesupportIhavereceivedthroughscholarshipsfromthisamazingorganiza-tionhasbeencrucialinthecontinuationofmypost-secondaryeducation.

Youarenowallowingmetogivebacktomycommunitythroughchildhoodcancerresearchatadoctorallevel.

Waytogo,Diana!SiteCanadaisveryproudtosupportChildhoodCancerCanadaFoundation.

photoscourtesyofTheImageCommission

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The2010SiteInternationalConferenceinCapeTown,SouthAfrica,December4-7,2010

FeatureReportsfromtheScholarshipWinners…

Sitedelegatesfrom36countriesexperiencedwarmhospitalityandspecialeventsinCapeTown,SouthAfrica,duringthe2010SiteInternationalConferencelastDecember.Globalconnec-tionsweremadeduringworld-classeducationalsessionsandnetworkingopportunities.

AmongthedelegateswerenineexcitedSiteCanadamembers,2010PresidentCathyO’Connor,JoeOrecchio,MoiraHearn,ChristineWoidi,andFilipeNepomuceno,plusthefourwinnersoftheSiteCanadascholarship:RachaelStreek-Buma,BarbaraDirnberger,MariaDaCunha,andVladHaltigin.

ThelongtripandincredibleexperiencesinSouthAfricacreatedmemoriesforalifetime.TheConferenceitselfwasinspiringonmanyfronts,andincludedapowerfulpresentationfromformerSouthAfricanPresident,FWdeKlerk,onwhychangeissovitalasatransformationtool,andthatthemanagementofchangerequirescoolheads,resistance,determinationandresilience.Greatlearnings.Aswell,thereweretheincrediblymovingstoriesofwhysupportingeverydaypracticalsocialchangeissovitalintoday’sage.ThesestoriescamefromDocHendley,aformerbarmanfromNorthCarolina,whoisnowagloballyrecognizedhumanitarianoftheWineToWaterproject,andfromMamaRosie,whowassuddenlythrustintobecomingthefounderoftheBaphumeleleleOrphanageinCapeTown.Simplyamazing.

EachofthefourscholarshipwinnerspresentedtheirexperiencesofSouthAfrica,andtheirfullreportsareincludedinthiseditionofSiteLinesforyourenjoyment.Additionally,ifyouwish,therearemoreinterestingreportson-lineatwww.siteglobal.com

Trulyaneventforall-time!

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SiteScholarshipWinner: Maria DaCunha

IfeltveryprivilegedandthankfulwhenIwasawardedaSiteCanadaScholarshiptoattendtheInternationalConferenceheldinCapeTown,SouthAfricafromDecember04–07,2010.HavingattendedthreeotherconferencesoverthelasteightyearsIwasveryexcitedtoattendagainin2010.

IhadwantedtovisitSouthAfricaforanumberofyearsandhavehadtheopportunitytoproposeittoclientsinthepastsoitwasveryexcitingtofinallyexperiencewhatIalwaysunder-stoodtobeafabulousincentivedestinationalongwithexperi-encinganotherInternationalSiteConference.Site’sselectionofCapeTownforthe2010InternationalConferencerevealedtheincentiveappealthatCapeTownhasalongwithSouthAfricaingeneral.

ThroughtheSiteConferenceIexperiencedahighenergycitywithmodernfacilitiessuchasfivestarmodernhotels,shop-pingcomplexes,restaurants,interestingvenuesandmodernconferencefacilities.CapeTownisasmallcitythatisvibrant,cleanandhasabeautifulsettinghavingtheadvantageofbor-deringboththeAtlanticandIndianOceans.SouthAfricaisacountrythatisgoingthroughalotofchangeandalongwithCapeTownistransformingintowhatIbelievewillbeoneofthemostsoughtafterinternationalincentivetraveldestinationsthatprovidesarealWOWfactorforanincentiveprogram.

IalsohadtheopportunitytofurtherexpandmyknowledgeinSouthAfricabytakingafewdaystovisitKrugerNationalPark.IstayedattheTingaPrivateGameLodgesituatedonthebanksoftheSabieRiver.Itoffersfivestarfacilitiesalongwithafabuloussafariexperience.ItwasanamazingexperienceandonethatIwouldhighlyrecommendaspartofavisittoSouthAfrica.TheprogramwasarrangedbyDragonfly,DMCinAfricaandtheydidafabulousjobwithallthearrangements.

TheConference’sWelcomeReception,RainbowNationStreetParty,washeldattheLookoutlocatedatthewaterfrontoverlookingthewater.ThesettingwascasuallyAfricanandprovidedanopportunityforeveryonetonetwork,mingleandexperienceAfricathoroughit’svibrantcolours(décor),flavours(food)culture(arts&crafts)andmusic.Itwasagreatopportu-nityforeveryonetocometogetherandgetre-acquaintedwithcolleaguesfromacrosstheglobe.

TheConferenceopenedwithkeynotespeaker,FWdeKlerk,formerSouthAfricanPresident,whotransitionedthecountryfromapartheidtoademocracy.Hismainthemewas“change”theabilitytohaveadefinedvisionandturnitintoreality.20yearsagoheacceptedthechallengetochangeSouthAfricaandlivedthetransformativepowerofchange.Hedirectlyrelatedchangetothesecretsofsuccesswhichhenotedweretheabilitytoadapttochange,abilitytomanagechange,abilitytoimagineandconstantlychangeandadapt.Averyappropri-atemessageforeveryoneaschangehasbeensoconstantinourbusinessandcontinuestodriveourindustry.HespokewithpassionandittrulywasoneofthemostempoweringtalksthatI’vehadthepleasureoflisteningto.

Theconferenceeducationprogramisacombinationofpro-gramsthataddresstheincentiveandmotivationalaspect,gen-eralindustrytopicsandprofessionaldevelopment.Thisconfer-

encewasnoexceptioninofferingvariouseducationsessionsthatspoketomediaandhowitenhancesyourbrand,incentivecasestudies,researchandcorporatesocialresponsibility.Therewereanumberofeducationaltrackseachdaythatrepresentedtheabovethemesandprovidedanopportunityforthedelegatestoparticipatewiththeirideasandcontributetotheoveralltopicstherebyenhancingtheoveralleducationandprofessionalexperi-ence.Theeveningeventsshowcasedsomeofthedestination’stopincentivevenue’ssuchasMoyoSpierRestaurantandtheConstantiaUitsigWineryfortheSiteGalaEvent.

Inmyview,anotherveryimportantaspectoftheeducationprogramistheinteractionthatthedelegateshavethroughthenetworkingopportunitiesattheconference.Thechancetomeetcolleaguesfromacrosstheworldandsharebusinessinsights,gainanoverallperspectiveoftheindustryfromaglobalplatform,expandyourindustryknowledge,developnewbusinessrelation-shipsandstrengthencurrentrelationshipsaswellasexperiencethefabulousdestinationandwhatithastooffer.AsadelegateI’vecomeawaymotivatedandenergizedbecauseI’vehadthechancetolearnandexpandmyknowledge,haveexperiencedthevibrancyoftheindustrythroughtheConference,destination,thepeopleIinteractedwithandhavegainedrenewedstrengthtomoveforwardinoureverchangingandchallengingindustry.

MyexperiencehasalwaysbeenthatthebestlearningcomesfrombeinganactiveparticipantinallthatIdoandIwouldhighlyencourageourcolleaguesintheindustrytohighlyconsiderbeingapartofSitewhichwillfurtherdeveloptheiroverallskills,enhancetheirknowledgeandprovideanopportunitytobeawardedaSiteScholarshipforafutureconference.

AsFWdeKlerksaid,“forcesofchangeareinfullflight”andIthinkthattheonlywaythatwecaneffectivelyinfluencepositivechangeistoparticipateandhaveavoice.WeneedtostrengthenourindustryandIbelievethattheonlywaythatwecandoitisbyhavingacollectivevoicetoensuretherightchangetakesplace.

Nextyear’sconferencewillbeinLasVegasandIencourageeveryonetoconsiderattending.

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SiteScholarshipWinner: BarbaraDirnberger

It’sallamatterofhosting.

ThisisthefirsttimeIhaveattendedaSiteinternationalcon-ference,althoughitisnotthefirsttimeIhavebeentoSouthAfrica.Itrulydidanddidnotknowwhattoexpect.IexpectedthebeautyofCapeTownandapackedagendaofinterestingspeakersattendedbyanassortmentofinternationaldelegates.Ididnotexpecttolosemyluggage.

ThevenuewasspectacularandnodoubtamajorityoftheattendeesweresalivatingattheopportunitytohearMrFWdeKlerkformerPresidentofSouthAfrica,opentheconference.Whobettertoinspireustoriskunleashingthepowerofchangethanthemanwhostoodatthethrottleofthedismantlingofapartheid?

Soitwasanappropriatebookendclosingatthegala,thatweenjoyedthefruitsofMrdeKlerk’s1990riskinthewarmthanksoftheMayorofCapeTown,MrDanPlato,amancertainlyfreedtoleadtheworldclasscitythatisCapeTown.Andwhilehedidn’tjoinusonthedancefloor,MrPlatocertainlymadeussmileinappreciationofthewarmthofourhosts.

TomeitisatestamenttothepowerofSitetobeabletocom-mandsuchleaderstobepresentandparticipateinourorgani-zation’sevents.Weareanassociationofinfluencersthatprideourselvesonmakingpositivechangesinpeople’slives.AndforthisreasonIwouldliketoriskunleashingmyownsmallinflu-enceforchangebynotingtwoweaknessesintheinternationalconferencethatareattheheartofthisindustry:deliveringandhostingexceptionalexperiences.

Theeducationalcomponentisalwaysachallengewhentherearesomanylevelsofexpertiseintheroom.Inevitablyavari-etyofeducationaltopicsneedstobeprovidedwithaneyetoensurethecontentlivesuptoitsbilling.TwoofthesessionsIattendedwereaudiencecontentdriven.

Whereonewaswellorganizedwithasolidbackgroundintro-ductionofthetopictofacilitateeachtabletoworkshopandthenprovidetheirowninputonselectedsubjects,itfailedinalackofappropriatetiming.Onlyfifteenminuteswereallowedforpresentationfindingsandtheinevitablediscussions;webarelymanagedthreeofsevenreports.

Theothersessionofferedonepowerpointslidewhichremainedonthescreenfortheentiresessionwithamodera-torwhopresentedthegroupwithamicrophonetosolicitinput.Afterastammeringstartthegroupopenedupandnoteswererecordedonaflipchartwecouldn’treadinsteadofusingtheavailablelaptop.Andalthoughthemoderatorwaslovely,shewasnotthesubjectmatterexpertandwithinthirtyminutestheinputsdigressedtotopicsoffthemarkandparticipantsbegantomovetotheexits.

Thelessonshereareclear:timing,toolsandleaders.Ibelievethemostvaluabletakeawayisthatwecanneverletdownourguardnomatterhowgreatourexperience.Lifeisacontinuousroadoflearningandrenewal.Vetyourproductbeforegoinglive.

Howeveronceyouareliveinthethroesofexecutionwithaneyetodeliveranexceptionalexperience,hostswillinevitablybeunexpectedlytestedandchallenged.Thisconferencewasnoexception:delegateswhostruggledtosettleintotheagendawithouttheirluggage.Iwasoneofapproximatelytwentydel-egateswalkingaroundthehalls,breakoutroomsandrestau-rantsinmorethandayoldclothes.

Thefirstofthisseason’sfreaksnowstormshadrippedthroughEuropeonourdeparturedate,whileawildcatstrikebyairtrafficcontrollersinSpainwreakedhavoconourSpanishcolleagues.Sounsurprisinglyinthemassivechaosofstraybaggage,ittooktwoofthethreedayconferenceforbagsandownerstobereunited.Itwasdistractinganddisconcertingandresultedinourmissingvarioussessionsinordertobuynewclothes,makefranticcallstotheairlinesandchasehotelcon-ciergesforanydeliveryupdates.

Bytheendoftheseconddayofsleuthingforresultswebegantowonderwhyourhostshadn’tsteppedupbyenlistingsomelocalDMCs.ThisisanindustrythathiresTripDirectorstoensuretheirclientsenjoyaworryfreeexperience.Surelythisanideatimetoshowoff,asitwere?

Somuchplanninggoesintoanyeventandweallknowweneedtoexpecttheunexpected.Wemeet,strategize,troubleshootanddrawonyearsofexperiencetotrytodeliverthebestpossibleprogram.Andthenlifehappens.AsMrdeKlerkandMrPlatowellknow.Sowhenwearetestedweneedtoreviewouractionsandresponsesandhonestlyscoreourselves.

Iwouldn’thavemissedthisexperiencefortheworld,andlookforwardtothenextinternationalconferenceinLasVegasinOctober2011.

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SiteScholarshipWinner: VladHaltigin,CITE

Oh,WhatAFeeling!

TheytalkinSouthAfricaaboutseeingtheBigFive(lion,rhino,elephant,buffaloandleopard).FormeitwasnotonlyhavingtheopportunitytosearchfortheBigFivegame,butalsotosearchformyownbigfive…feelings,fun,fantasy,facts,andfreedom.

Apartfromanamusingmoment,duringastopoveratLondon’sHeathrowAirport,ofwatchingworkerscopewithamereskiffleofsnow,thelongjourneytoCapeTownformewasuneventfulandallowedtimetodreamandeagerlyanticipatewhatlayinstoreinsunnySouthAfrica…pureexcitementandanticipationcamepouringintomymind.

ThechancetoattendtheSiteInternationalConferencewasaveryspecialopportunity,andeventhoughIhadattendedseveralpreviousconferences,thisoneclearlywasthemostanticipated,notonlytore-connectwithindustrycolleagues,buttoinhalethebeauty,enthusiasmanddriveofanemergingcountrylikeSouthAfrica,andwhatithadtooffer.

IhadneverbeentoSouthAfricabefore,andthiswouldsurelyturnouttobethetripofalifetime.Myparentshadbeentherepre-WW2,andspokeeloquentlyofthebeautyofthecountryandofthechallengesthepeoplefacedinday-to-dayliving.EvenfromtheplanelandinginCapeTown,mymindwasbuzz-ing;itremindedmeoftheCaliforniadesertlandscapeofred-dish-brownearthwithscrub-likevegetation.Withinminutesofarriving,thesenseswereevenmoreeagerlyengaged;wherehadIcome?…wasImistakenlyinHaiti,asaramshackletownshipfacadeflashedbyatthesideoftheroad?…wasIintheoldBritishEmpireasabeautifulcolonialcityappeared?…wasIinwonderlandasthemagnificentandlegendaryTableMountainsoaredaboveme?…wasIinatrue21stcenturycitywithsoaringskyscrapersinthecitycentre,abustlingportcity,andasoothingtemperatureof23°C?Fromthesefirstmoments,CapeTownandSouthAfricawouldcontinuetostimulatethesenses.

Asalways,theSiteInternationalConferenceprovidedauniqueforumtoexperiencemessagingfromtheverybestofspeakerstointernalize,andtolearnaboutimportantbusinessandper-sonalvalues.

AttheopeningsessionoftheConference,thetruemeaningoffreedomwassoclearlyandeloquentlyexplainedbyformerPresidentSouthAfrica,FWdeKlerk.Afteryearsofinternalrepressionduetoapartheid,MrdeKlerk,togetherwithNelsonMandela,hadthevisionandstrengthtorecognizethatforSouthAfricatobegintorealizeitsvastpotentialanunendingtransformationofchangehadtohappen:changewastheonlychoiceinordertonavigatethecountryawayfromthegrimforcesofisolation.InMrdeKlerk’swords,changeisfunda-mental,invincibleandunpredictable.Youcanresistitandcon-sequentlybesweptawayintheforcesofinevitablechange,orembraceitasheandMrMandeladid.Inthefewyearsleadinguptotheabolitionofapartheidin1994,theworldasawholeexperiencedtheforcesofchangeinfullflight,withthecollapseofthecommunistregimesinEasternEurope,thedismantlingoftheBerlinWall,andtheeliminationofapartheidinhisown

country.Momentousevents,allachievedwithoutashotfired.InhisassessmentMrdeKlerkmentionedkeylessonsforchange:

• Imaginetheneedforchangeforthingsthatdon’texisttoday,andembracethatchange.

• Acknowledgeandarticulatetheneedforchange,anddon’tfeartheunknown.

• Takeuncomfortablestepstowardschange;don’thangontooldcustoms,especiallyiftheyaremorallyindefensible.

• Managingchangeneedsstrongleadershipandaclearvisionofabetterfuture;bepreparedtotakecalculatedrisks.

Fromtheiroriginalvisiontogether,ittookMrdeKlerkandMrMandelajust7yearstoachievefreedomandhopeforSouthAfrica,andtotakeitawayfromtheforcesofdarkness.Themetaphorsforourindustry,ourbusiness,andourownlivesarethereforthetaking!Unendingtransformationisunderwayforallofus.

AnotherpresentationtoinspirechangewasgivenbyChristineDuffy,PresidentofMaritzTravel;(note:sincetheConferenceshehasbeenappointedPresident,CruiseLinesInternationalAssociation(CLIA)effectiveFebruary1st,2011).Christineisanindustryveteranwhospearheadedthepublicitytoturn-aroundofthebusinesseventsindustryfromtheAIGfalloutduringthepost-2008financialcrisis.Inaddressingtaxation,transportation,governmentrelations,andthecustomerexperi-ence,shechallengedustothinkofthechangesweneedtomakeinalltheseareasinordertoeliminatebarrierstomakingmeetings,incentivesandtradeshowsessentialbusinessactivi-ties.Effectivepersonalengagementneedstobesteppedupwithbusinessleadersandpolicymakersatalllevelstocom-municatetothemtheimpactoftheindustry,andwhatitmeanstotheminlanguagetheyunderstand…forgovernment,theimpactonemployment;forbusinessleaders,ROIandbusi-nessresults;andforparticipants,bothprofessionalandper-sonalgrowth,aswellasdriversforgivingbacktothecommu-nity.Theindustrymustworktogethergloballyandkeepcohe-sive,yetcontinuetoinfluencetheircontactslocallytocreateagroundswellofsupport.Societalshiftstodayarealsodemand-ingexperiencesthatproviderealvalueandmeaning,emo-tionalconnections,trustandtransparency.Evenwithregionaldifferencesaroundtheworld,weareallnowinaknowledge/creativeerawhereweneedtore-imagineourdesignofevents,re-connectmoreeffectivelywiththeneedsthatparticipantsandkeystakeholdershave,andacceleratethemomentumforposi-tivechangetohappen.

Theconferencewasclosedwithtwomorememorablepresen-tations.ThefirstwasmadebyDocHendley,whohasreceivedglobalrecognitionwithhisorganization‘WineToWater’forhisfighttobringcleanwatertodesperatelyneedypartsoftheworld,includingSudan,EthiopiaandCambodia.FromhishomeinNorthCarolina,andwiththehelpofSiteSEUSA,DocHendley,aformerbartender,embarkedonmakinghisvisionandpassionbecomeareality,nomatterwhatunimaginableobstacleslayinhisway,eveninthefaceofpersonaldanger.Hebeganbybuildingrelationshipsandtrustwithlocalpeopletohelpthemcreatebetterconditionsforthemselvesevenusingjustthemostbasictechnologyandlocalresources.That

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beliefandmomentumhasledtopositivechange,andcontin-uestogrowrapidly…anoutstandingbenchmarkofcaringandgivingback.

Ifthiswasnotenough,thefinalandmosttouchingmomentoftheConferenceclearlyshowedthestilldesperateanddif-ficultsituationsinwhichmanypeopleliveinthemanytown-shipsscatteredacrossSouthAfrica.Sitedelegateshadbeenencouragedtobringchildren’sclothingtodonatetoalocalorphanage…MamaRosie’sstorywasshattering…onChristmasDay2000anunwantedbabyhadbeenleftatherdoor…shecalledpoliceforhelp,butinsteadofhelping,theybroughthertwomorebabiestocarefor!…Overthecomingweeksandmonths,manymoreabandoned,abused,neglectedororphanedchildrenwerebroughtforMamaRosietocarefor,andby2005shewaslookingafter68children!Itwasonlyatthispointthatherhomewasregisteredasanorphan-age.Incrediblyby2010,therearenow230childrenatthisBaphumeleleChildren’sHome.Eventhetablespiledhighwithclothesthatwedelegatesbroughtwereamorselofwhatisneeded,butyetwereastepintherightdirection.Forallofus,thiswasanotherlivingexampleofwhyconstantfocusonsocialresponsibilityneedstobeafundamentalpartofprogramandeventplanning.Asaglobalorganization,Siteisuniquelypositionedtoleadtheway.

FromthesoberingandstunningreflectionsofthebusinesssideoftheConference,therewastheopportunitythrough-outtoenjoythedelightsofwhatSouthAfricahastooffer.Bynature,SouthAfricansarecarefreeandexpressthemselvessonaturally,andwithfeeling…theytakegreatprideinpresent-ingtheirmusic,arts&crafts,food,andaboveallthecoloursofAfrica.Thiswassoevidentinthenetworkingopportunitiesprovidedtousatsomeoutstandingincentivevenues:firstattheLookout,locatedattheCapeTownwaterfront.LikewisethefollowingeveningatMoyoSpierRestaurant,whichexemplifiedtheirnaturalexuberanceandfunwiththeirresistiblerhythmsandmovementofSouthAfricanmusicanddancebytroupesoftalentedperformers,includingsongsbythedynamicLorraineKlaasen,nowaresidentMontrealer.ThetentedfinalnightgalaatConstantiaUitsigWineryshowedtheelegance,class,andvarietythatCapeTownhastooffer.AllthreelocationsweregreatexamplesofshowingCapeTownandtheSouthernCapeRegionattheirbest…allhighlyrecommendedanddoubt-lessmagnetsforfutureincentivebusiness.Thechancefordelegatesfromaroundtheworldtore-connect,andtomixandminglewiththelocalhostswasanessentialpartofcreatingthosespecialfeelingsandmemories.

Mypost-ConferencevisittoShamwariGameReserve,nearPortElizabeth,setin25,000hectareswasequallyamazing…thesafariexperienceeveninalittleoveradayandahalf,forgedindeliblememories,fromtheeleganceofa100-yearoldEdwardianmansionresidence,totheskillandguileoftherangerstotrackandshowoffthebeauty,grace,andrawpowerofanimalsinthewild,amongtheever-changingsceneryandcoloursofanAfricansunriseandsunset…IhadseenfouroftheBig5…pluszebra,hippo,giraffe,warthog,monkey,andantelope…700photoslater,itwastimetogohometotallycontent.

Inconclusion,theabilityofSitetoattractpeopleofnationalandinternationalstatureisatestamenttothepowerandinflu-encethatourindustrydeserves....afterall,tourismasawholeisthe3rdlargestindustryintheworldafteroilandgovernment,andisthefastestreactingindustrytoaffectemploymentupordown.ItisonlythroughsuchexperiencesasinSouthAfrica,thatonerealizesthesheerprideandexcitementofbeingasso-ciatedwiththeincrediblemosaicofskillsandknowledgeofSitepeopleacrosstheworld.Wearetrulyprivilegedandmustcontinuetoinfluencetherelevantauthoritiesandorganizationsatalllevelsthatbringingpeopletogetheristhemostpositivestimulusthatcanbeofferedintoday’sall-too-oftennegativeanddiscriminatingworldofbusiness.

CapeTownandSouthAfricayoudidusproud!

sitelines February2011

SiteScholarshipWinner: RachaelStreek-Buma

AttendingtheannualSiteInternationalConferenceissome-thingIlookforwardtoeveryyearand2010wasespeciallyexceptional.

WhenIreceivedthecallannouncingIhadbeenawardedoneofthescholarshipsfortheSite2010InternationalConferenceIwasexcitedandnervousallatthesametime.ExcitedthatIwouldhavetheopportunitytoattendwhatunbeknownsttomewouldbethebestICformeyetandnervousthatIwouldbegoingtoadestinationsofarawayfromhomeandmyfamily.

MyemployershavealwayssupportedmeinplayinganactiveroleinthechaptersoIwasthrilledtobeabletopasstheben-efitofreceivingascholarshipontothem.Theyrecognizethevalueofmymembershipandhoursofvolunteering.

IbelieveattendingtheSiteICisamustforallmembers.Itexposesyoutoahigherlevelofeducation,allowsyoutonet-workwithindustryprofessionalsandgivesyouabetterunder-standingofthedirectionandcommitmentSiteglobal/boardhastotheorganizationandmembership.

BeforeleavingfortheairportIupdatedmyFacebookstatuswiththefollowing,“Thisisgoingtobeanamazingexperienceandinsomanyways.”Atthatpoint,IreallyhadabsolutelynocluewhatIwasinfor!

WhatIexperiencedwenthandinhandwiththethemeoftheconference–“TheTransformativePowerofChange.”

OnthefirstdaymemberswereinvitedtoattendtheAnnualGeneralMeeting.ItwasduringthistimethattheSiteGlobalboardandincomingPresident,MaryMacGregor,acknowl-edgedtheneedforchangeinordertomoveforwardasanorganization.TheyrealizedthattheremaybesomegrowingpainsbutwiththesupportoftheboardandmembershipgreatthingswillhappenandSitewillcontinuetogrow.

2010MembershipStatistics:• Membersin92Countries• 355NewMembersfor2010• 78%MembershipRenewalRate• TopMemberDisciplines:• IncentiveCompanies16%• Accommodations19%• DMC’s32%

NewMembershipPrograms:• Payforduesin(2)sixmonthinstallments• Adjustedmembershiprateifyouareintransition• Sponsorfivenewmembersin2011,youqualifyforacom-

plimentary2012membership

Inmyentirecareerinthehospitalityindustry,IhaveneversatinonanOpeningSessionoranysessionforthatmatterthatwasaspowerfulastheonegiventousbyFWdeKlerk,formerPresidentofSouthAfrica.Hisspeechwascaptivatingandspoketothepoweroftransformationandchange.Weallhavetheabilitytoinfluencechangeandtransformationeveninourownsmallcorneroftheworld.

KeyPoints/messages:1) Thepowerofmanrestsinhisabilitytoimaginethingsthat

don’texist.2) Thegreatestriskisrefusingtoaccepttheriskofchange.3) Lessonsinchoosingtomangeanddirectchange:

1.Accepttheneedforchange2.Avoidtemptationofpretendingtochange3.Articulateaclearandachievablevision4.Changemanagementtakescalculatedrisks5.Theprocessofchangeneverends

4) Changetakesplaceintheheartsofpeople-Wewillallbejudgedbyourabilitytomanagebetterworldsandtopos-sessmeaningfulvisions.

TheclosingsessiongivenbyDocHenley(WinetoWater)wasyetanotherpresentationthatwasoutstandingandmoving.Hisownpersonalstoryofhowhecametoformthecharitableorganization“WinetoWater”challengedtheaudiencetofindtheirpassionandinpursuingthispassion,makeadifferenceintheworld.

Henleythenmovedontotellhisstoryinhowhispassiontomakeadifferenceledtobuildingarelationshipandtrustwithpeoplethatnoonehadbeenabletobefore.Throughtheserelationshipshebroughttwoopposinggroupstogetherwhilehelpingthemtorealizethattogethertheycanmoveforwardandtransformtheirqualityoflife.

WhiletheconferenceprovidedseveraleducationtracksitwascertainlytheOpeningandClosingSessionthatprovokedmetothinkmoreaboutmyneedtochangeandnotonlyhowitcouldtransformthingsaroundmebutmostimportantly,howitcouldtransformthewayIdolife.

MyconferenceexperiencewasalsohighlightedbySiteCanadawinningachapterawardformembership.Thisisaclearindicationthatourboardismakingpositivechangesthataretransformingthegrowthanddirectionofthechapter.HavingsatontheboardforfouryearsIamthrilledtoseethiscommitment.WhatmayseemlikebabystepsnowhasandwillcontinuetoleadtosignificanttransformationintheSiteCanadachapter.

Inadditiontothehighlightsoftheconference,IwillneverforgetthegenuinehospitalityandgratefulnessofallthelocalpeopleIencounteredduringmystayinCapeTown.Beitatthehotel,off-sitevenues,tours,etc.thepeopleweresohappythatyouhadcometotheircountry.Theyservedandsmiledwiththeirheart.Theywerepassionateaboutwhattheydidanditshowedfirsthand.Somethingwecanalllearnfrom.

sitelines February2011

Sponsorshipopeningsstillavailable…Timeisstillavailabletoreachyourbestcustomers…

SiteCanadaismadeupofahighpercentageofbuyerswithover60%oftheCanadianmembershipbeingataDirectorlevelorhigher.WithoverahundredmembersinourCanadianChapter,yoursponsorshipdollarsaretargetingkeyinfluencers.Becomeavaluedsponsortoday.

SponsorshipLevels:DiamondSponsor:$10,000+(Cashand/orinkind)PlatinumSponsor:$5000-$9,999(Cashand/orinkind)GoldSponsor:$1000-$4,999(Cash)SilverSponsor:$600-$999(Cash)

AlllevelsarecumulativesponsorshipsfromJanuary1-December31,2011.

Therearestillsomelimitedopportunitiesavailablefor2011.Wewelcometheopportunitytopartnerwithyou.

PleasecontactSiteCanadaDirectorofSponsorship-JenniferGlynnatjglynn@meetingencore.com.

Introducing…Yournew2011SiteCanadaBoardof

Directors

PresidentJoeOrecchio

CWTMeetings&Events

President-ElectJoanneKeating

MeridicanIncentiveConsultants

ImmediatePastPresidentCathyO’Connor

CarlsonHotelsWorldwide

VicePresidentFinanceSusanLanc,CMP

HiltonSalesWorldwide

VicePresidentMembershipLizAkey,CMPEMAMarketing

Director SocialBarbaraDirnbergerTravelessence

DirectorEducationRichardElliottIgniteMagazine

DirectorSponsorshipJenniferGlynn

MeetingEncoreGroup

DirectorChapterMeetingsPamGraham,DMCPCongressCanada

Director CommunicationsVladHaltigin,CITE

PDM(i)

EachBoardMemberlooksforwardtoseeingyouatChaptereventsthroughouttheyear,andalwayswelcomesyourthoughtsandideasofhowtomakeSiteCanadaevenbetter,tomeetyourprofessionalneedswithexcellenteducationandnetworkingopportunities.

I’vebeenaskedmultipletimeswhatthehighlightofmytripwasbutIcouldn’tcomeupwithjustonething.Innospecificorder,theyare:

1)Qualityofeducationdeliveredattheconference2)SincerityandHospitalityofthehosts3)Thesmilesandcaringheartsofthelocalpeople4)Sceneryandbeautyofthecountry

Thank-yousomuchforhonoringmewiththeSiteCanada2010EducationalScholarship.IhadsuchanamazingexperienceandonewhichIwillbetalkingaboutforyears.

sitelines February2011

MarkYourCalendar…

Wednesday,March23,2011Puttin’ontheRitzComeandseefirst-handthenewestluxurypropertyindowntownToronto…TheRitzCarlton,Toronto.With267exquisiteguestrooms,a7,400squarefootballroom,and23,000squarefootspa+terrace,it’sthefirstofseriesofthetop5-starluxuryhotelstobeintroducedtoTorontoduringthenext2years.Beamongthefirsttoexperiencetheback-of-house,andnotjustanyhouse…afterallit’stheRITZ!!

We’remixingitupjustforyou.TheSiteInspectionIStheactivityandisarequiredelementofthisevent!

Butwaitit’snotjustasiteinspection–buta“SiteCanada”inspection,thatwillgiveyounewideasand“insight”(or,insite)intoturningtheroutineintoamemorableevent.

What’sinStore??1. SeefirsthandsomeofthespecialfeaturesoftheTheRitz-Carlton,Toronto2. ExperienceTheRitz-Carlton,Torontolevelofservice3. Participateina“site”activitythatyoucanexperiencewithyourownclients

5:30p.m.Registration,andinteractivesiteinspection6:45p.m.Reception(withatwist–nottobemissed)7:15p.m.Seateddinnerwithsurprisefeaturepresentation

Location:TheRitz-Carlton,Toronto,181WellingtonStreetWest,TorontoTopHatsandTailsareoptional!ToRegisterforthisevent,visittheSiteCanadawebsiteatwww.site-canada.org.

OtherUpcomingEvents…

Thursday April 14, 2011 National Meetings Industry Day

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 Chapter Meeting

Wednesday, July 13, 2011 Summer Social

Monday, August 22, 2011 Golf Tournament

Wednesday, September 14, 2011 Chapter Meeting

October. 13 - 15, 2011 Site International Conference, Las Vegas, NVWednesday, October 19, 2011

Chapter Meeting Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Education Day Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Holiday Social