Congratulations to Harsh Sodhani, one of nine Global Conference scholarship recipients.
Harsh will be attending our 2026 Global Conference in Abu Dhabi thanks to the generous support of SITE Foundation.
Here is Harsh’s winning essay, where he shares his incentive travel journey so far.
Growing up in India, the idea of traveling outside my city — let alone the country — felt almost impossible.
My family worked hard to give me the best education possible, even when life was somewhat challenging, and they always encouraged me to dream big.
My father ran a wedding and conference venue along with a catering company, and I grew up surrounded by hospitality. From a young age, I watched him create moments that brought people joy and connection, and I knew I wanted to be part of this world — to build experiences that could leave a lasting impact, just like he did.
At 18, I took my first step into this world by leaving India for an internship with Hilton in Kuala Lumpur. I had never been outside my country before, and the excitement was mixed with a fair bit of nerves. I was just a kid, stepping into a completely new world and little did I know that this experience would shape the next six years of my life.
Through that internship, I discovered how much I loved connecting with people, learning from mentors, and delivering experiences that mattered.
It was more than a job — it was a calling, and I felt alive in a way I hadn’t before.
Since then, my journey has taken me across three countries — India, Malaysia, and the UK — each shaping me in unique ways.
Moving to the UK for studies and eventually stepping into sales and commercial roles in hospitality was challenging. London was fast-paced, overwhelming at times, and completely different from anything I had known. But it was here that I discovered my love for the incentive travel industry.
Incentive travel, for me, is more than recognition or rewards; it’s about creating unforgettable experiences, celebrating achievements, and connecting people from all walks of life. Coming from a background where international travel once seemed impossible, I understand the power these experiences can have on individuals and teams.
In London, over the last four years, I have been building my career in the MICE and incentive travel sector. Recently, I joined the award-winning Hilton London Bankside as a Business Development Manager, focusing on the MICE segment.
Transitioning from a smaller hotel group to a global brand was not easy but the guidance of mentors, encouragement from colleagues, and the relationships I built within SITE made it possible.
Being part of the SITE Great Britain Young Leaders Committee has been a game-changer. This community has given me energy, inspiration, and mentorship.
I’ve had the opportunity to help organize two sold-out Young Leader events in London, one of which I hosted at my previous hotel, bringing together buyers and peers in the industry. These experiences allowed me to put my skills into action, deepen connections, and contribute to the community I care so much about.
SITE has shown me the power of collaboration, the importance of learning from others, and the joy of giving back. It has been a place where I’ve grown both professionally and personally, and I am committed to continuing that journey.
The impact of incentive travel goes beyond my own career. Personally, it has opened my eyes to the world in ways I never imagined. Professionally, it has given me the confidence to take on challenges, think creatively, and deliver experiences that matter. Culturally, it has allowed me to work with people from diverse backgrounds, learning how to create meaningful programs that resonate across markets.
But one of the most rewarding aspects has been sharing this journey with my family. Because of the opportunities I’ve had, I’ve been able to take my family on leisure trips to four different countries in the last two years, creating memories together and showing them what’s possible with passion and persistence. They feel proud of what I am building, and their support continues to motivate me to aim higher and push further.
Even with everything I’ve achieved so far, attending the SITE Global Conference represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. This will be my first SITE Global Conference (and also my first international conference).
Receiving this scholarship will allow me to fully immerse myself in learning from industry leaders, meeting peers from around the world, and bringing back insights that can help me grow further and contribute more to SITE.
It will give me the chance to deepen my understanding of incentive travel, discover new ideas for delivering unforgettable experiences, gaining fresh perspective and build relationships that will last throughout my career.
Looking back, I see how far I’ve come — from an 18-year-old in Kuala Lumpur who had never left India, to a 25-year-old professional in London: contributing to SITE, growing in a global hotel brand, and shaping the future of incentive travel in my own small way.
This journey has been full of challenges, learning, and growth, and it has only strengthened my passion for this industry.
I have taken some more voluntary roles in the last three years. I am a founding Youth Council member for Institute of Hospitality, and I dedicate a lot of my time with graduates and people starting into sales and hospitality overall.
I have managed to mentor and got seven students into their grad roles and first sales roles within hotels in London. I am driven to continue making that positive impact on the next generation (Including myself) and thriving to learn from my mentors along the way.
Incentive travel has given me more than a career — it has given me purpose. It allows me to connect people, celebrate achievements, and create experiences that inspire and motivate. It has taught me resilience, the value of mentorship, and the importance of giving back.
With this scholarship, I hope to take the next step in my journey: to learn from the best in the industry, bring back knowledge to my team and the SITE community, and continue to contribute to the growth and energy of incentive travel.
Receiving this scholarship will not only allow me to attend my first SITE Global Conference but will also amplify the impact I can have on the people around me — from my colleagues and peers to the next generation of incentive travel professionals. It will allow me to share my experiences, insights, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way, inspiring others while continuing to grow myself.
From the young kid in India who never imagined seeing the world, to a young professional navigating the global hospitality industry, this journey has been defined by passion, persistence, and a love for connecting with people through meaningful experiences.
The David Riddell Scholarship will give me the opportunity to continue this journey, to learn, to grow, and to bring my energy and dedication to the SITE Global Conference — contributing not just to my own development, but to the broader community that has already given me so much.
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