Steffi Kordy, CITP, incoming President of SITE Florida & Caribbean, on thinking outside the cocoon.
Steffi Kordy’s enthusiasm for creative and sustainable incentive travel is infectious and has informed her hospitality industry career. A German native, she has lived and worked on five continents and speaks six languages. After moving to Miami in 2011, she launched Cocoon Incentives with the tag line, ‘Think Outside Your Cocoon’. Kordy will take the helm as President of SITE Florida & Caribbean in January 2026. Prevue recently caught up with her to learn more about her career and her goals for SITE Florida & Caribbean.
Prevue: What inspired you to pursue a career in incentive travel and launch Cocoon Incentives?
Kordy: Working for a DMC in Chicago ignited my passion for incentive travel. When I moved to Miami in 2011, I saw an opportunity to create something unique—blending creativity with surprise elements to elevate every incentive program. That’s how Cocoon Incentives was born, with the tagline ‘Think Outside Your Cocoon.’ Our events are transformative experiences, encouraging clients to break out of their comfort zones, spread their wings and inspire others.
Beyond creativity and surprise elements, sustainability and community impact have been fundamental pillars of my company. Every event we design includes a way to give back—whether through hands-on CSR activities or contributions to small, impactful charities from our own profits. We’ve supported causes ranging from dolphin, manatee, or sea turtle rescues in Florida to homeless youth programs or women’s shelters in Las Vegas. It’s our way of ensuring that every program leaves a positive footprint, not just for our clients, but for the communities that welcome us.
Prevue: What do you find most rewarding about being an incentive travel planner?
Kordy: The most rewarding part is witnessing those ‘wow’ and ‘aah’ moments—like toddlers meeting Santa, but with seasoned travelers who have seen it all. Incentive attendees arrive with high expectations, and the challenge of exceeding them never gets old. After months or even years of meticulous planning (and adding more grey hair), seeing genuine awe on their faces makes it all worthwhile.
Prevue: Describe the keys to your success in five words.
Kordy: Passion, people, creativity, gratitude and creating win-win situations.
Prevue: How has SITE membership helped your career?
Kordy: The ‘E’ in SITE stands for ‘Excellence,’ and that’s exactly what the network represents—seasoned industry experts, valuable connections and insider knowledge. Being part of this circle is an invaluable asset, but true benefits come from active involvement. Attending events and engaging with the community have been key to fostering meaningful relationships that elevate my work.
Prevue: What are your goals when you take the helm of SITE Florida & Caribbean?
Kordy: My goal is to set our members up for success by providing valuable connections, education and experiences throughout the year. We’ll continue prioritizing sustainability in every event, launch a mentorship program for SITE Young Leaders and inspire fresh ideas to elevate incentive travel. Additionally, I aim to foster collaboration with another SITE chapter, creating synergies that strengthen our industry.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Top 2025 Incentive Travel Trends
