SITE Classic convened over 280 senior incentive travel professionals at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, for a 3-day immersive summit centered on fundraising. Proceeds from the live and silent auctions directly bolstered the SITE Foundation’s programs in research, education, grants, and scholarships.
Hosted in the Hawaiian island setting of Maui from Aug. 25-28, this year’s program blended high-impact education with immersive destination experiences. Highlights included a first look at insights from the 2025 Incentive Travel Index, roundtable discussions, and a co-created playbook capturing practical actions for the year ahead.
Bespoke touches that reflected this year’s Hawaiian destination were a central theme of SITE Classic 2025. Tuesday’s education presentations began with an Oli chant and a special presentation of a kapa artwork. Throughout SITE Classic, participants could also join a sunrise E Ala E ceremony, dig into a CSR activity to “seed the future” and protect Maui’s watershed, and explore some of the unique activities and settings Maui offers incentive groups.
Community Connections Were Key
“This week in Maui reminded us that incentive travel is at its best when it builds genuine relationships and leaves a positive legacy,” said SITE CEO Annette Gregg in a media release. “Hawaii’s values of mindful meetings and the spirit of malama, caring for each other and for the land, were woven through the program, showing how incentives in Hawaii can be both rewarding and responsible. We are grateful to our partners, buyers and suppliers, and the local community who welcomed us.”
A foundational element of SITE Classic is its fundraising activities; this year’s live and silent auctions raised USD$295,000, fueling the SITE Foundation’s work to strengthen business, people and careers across the incentive industry.
During SITE Classic, attendees engaged with the destination through purposeful experiences that celebrated local culture and conservation. This included:
- Catamaran sailings with Trilogy, offering ocean-level perspectives on the West Maui coastline and marine life.
- Maverick Helicopters scenic flights, revealing panoramic views of Haleakala, waterfalls, and the Iao Valley ridgelines.
- A “Best of Maui” tour featuring a drive to nearly 10,000 feet above sea level at Haleakala National Park, a lively Hali’imaile Distillery Tour & Tasting Room experience, lunch at the famed Hali’imaile General Store, and a tranquil afternoon visit to Iao Valley State Monument.
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