Young Leaders’ Program

Connecting Young Professionals in the Incentive Travel Industry

What is the SITE Young Leaders’ Program?

The SITE Young Leaders’ Program is a global community of industry professionals aged 35 years or younger. By participating in the SITE Young Leaders’ Program, individuals will receive education and networking opportunities that appeal directly to those who are new to the industry. Our mission: to create a strong group of individuals who will not only become leaders in SITE and their local SITE Chapters, but in the greater industry as a whole.

To learn more about how to become a member, please email SITE@SITEglobal.com

SITE Young Leader of the Year

Congratulations to our 2025 SITE Young Leader of the Year, Jacob Smith from DNA Event Management.

New for 2025, the SITE Young Leader Award recognizes the unique contributions of a global Young Leader who shows an exemplary commitment to incentive travel through their volunteer activities, industry participation, and overall passion & enthusiasm for the industry.

Read about our award winners

Committee

IBOD YL Rep

Caoimhe Rice

Director of Sales – Moloney & Kelly DMC

Ireland

Co-Chair

Jeffrey Fehr

Client Engagement Manager – Destination Canada

Canada

Co-Chair

Max Simpkins

Account Director, Global Sales – Shangri-La

Committee Member

Kelly Truitt

Director of Sales – Terramar, A DMC Network Company

USA

Committee Member

Katelyn Graber

Meeting Event Manager – Maritz

USA

Committee Member

April Hays

Director of Global Sales – Salamander Collection

USA

Committee Member

Burak Bekman

Front Office Agent – Minor Hotels Europe and Americas

Netherlands

Committee Member

Jayne MacKinnon

Destination Development Manager – Cantrav

Canada

Committee Member

Rachel Siegel

Account Manager – Hosts Global

USA

Committee Member

Karim Milad

Managing Partner – Galaxia Group

Egypt

Committee Member

Maximilian Wenger-Oehn

Chief Operating Officer – Liberty Development

Austria

Mentorship Program

Applications for our 2026 program will open be open October 5 – November 21. With 22 pairs matched from diverse corners of the globe over the past year, this exciting program is designed to provide young leaders with connections across our SITE community and to develop their careers within the incentive industry. The program offers opportunities to collaborate with different sectors, with people from different chapters, and with experienced industry leaders.

Learn more

SITE Young Leaders’ Conference

The YL conference is a much anticipated annual event that has traditionally taken place right before IMEX Americas in Las Vegas, and before IMEX Frankfurt, bringing Young Leaders face to face from all over the world. A notable characteristic of SITE’s YL twice-annual conference is that it is “for Young Leaders, by Young Leaders. This ensures that content is always relevant to our new generation of incentive travel professionals.

Why Jeorge Zepeda is a Young Leader at SITE

Hear What SITE Young Leaders Have to Say

“The Young Leaders offer a fantastic opportunity to network and learn“
Alisa Walsh, EventWorks

“Being involved in SITE as a whole, our local chapter, and SITE Young Leaders has kept me connected to the industry trends, changes, and updates and has a direct impact on my professional and personal growth as well. I look forward to many more years with SITE and all it has to offer.”
Windsor Neal, Cultivate Corporate Premium Gifts

“SITE YL has had a unique impact on both my professional and personal growth. I look forward to more innovative education, new contacts and new memories!”
Greg Byrnes, Northstar Meeting Group

“I believe that SITE has opened doors professionally that may not have been opened for me without my SITE membership.“
Paola Quintero, Creative Group

“Being an active member of SITE has been the single most beneficial decision that I have made in my career to date.”
Aoife Delaney, DMC Network