Thank you to Karim elMinabawy for serving as SITE’s 2024 President!
Karim would like to share the following message with our community, as he looks back on the many successes from the past year and extends his thanks to everyone who helped power these achievements.
My dear SITE family,
Attending my first SITE event as a young leader was a pivotal moment in my life. From that day forward, I was captivated by the association’s energy, purpose, and community. Never did I imagine that one day I would have the honour of leading SITE as its President.
This past year has been nothing short of extraordinary. Together, we’ve celebrated milestones that have redefined what SITE stands for; seen record-breaking financial achievements and with membership growth and retention; expanded the demographic diversity of our community; and revitalized our CITP certification to inspire professional excellence — to name just a few high points.
Having been mentored by SITE’s remarkable leaders, I felt compelled to pay it forward, focusing on nurturing our Young Leaders throughout the year. They are the heartbeat of our future, and it has been a privilege to support their growth and aspirations, as well as introducing a dedicated award that showcases their achievements.
Moreover, our International Board of Directors and HQ team have proudly carried the SITE flag to exciting destinations, including Australia and Oman, showcasing our values and expanding our global reach. Looking ahead, we have ambitious plans to further our missions and amplify the impact of incentive travel worldwide.
None of this would have been possible without your dedication. You — the members and chapters — are the pulse of SITE. Your ideas, active participation, and spirited debates drive SITE forward, ensuring we remain innovative and dynamic. I encourage you to continue your support and engagement; SITE is yours.
While stating all the above, I must recognize the incredible collaboration and support provided by this year’s International Board of Directors. They are a skilled group of individuals who dedicated both, time and effort to elevate the SITE flag high. This exceptional team was complemented by the unwavering dedication of the Foundation Board of Trustees, led by Stan Hershenow, who tirelessly generate funds and support our causes. Additionally, none of our successes could have happened without the extraordinary leadership of Annette Gregg, our CEO, along with the SITE team. They are truly the greatest asset our association has. Their inspiration, dedication & diligent are behind all the association milestones.
At the end of this year we will also bid farewell to Pádraic Gilligan, 2008 SITE President, who has served as our association as Chief Marketing Officer for the past six years. His invaluable contributions have laid a cornerstone for our continued success, and his legacy will be felt for long years to come.
As I prepare to hand over the gavel, I do so with confidence and joy. Nitin Sachdeva, a dynamic and visionary entrepreneur, will now lead SITE into its next chapter. I am certain the association will be in exceptional hands and poised for even greater achievements.
Thank you all for being an essential part of this journey and for your unwavering commitment to SITE’s mission. Your contributions truly make all the difference. Together, we have built something remarkable, and the future holds even more promises.
Seizing this opportunity, I want to wish you all a festive holidays, a fantastic end of the year and a fab 2025.
Keep sharing,
Karim
2024 SITE President &
President Emeco Travel — Egypt & The Emirates
