The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), a global association headquartered in the United States of America (USA), has announced award-winning creativity and artificial intelligence expert James Taylor as the keynote speaker for SITE Global Conference 2026, scheduled to hold from February 12 to 15, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.
The annual SITE Global Conference brings together incentive travel leaders from across the supply and demand sides of the industry to connect, learn, and celebrate the business impact of exceptional reward and recognition experiences.
Theme Focused on the Future of Incentive Travel
Set against the backdrop of Abu Dhabi’s rich cultural heritage and modern innovation, the 2026 conference will run under the theme “Wonder, Awe & Curiosity.” The event will provide a platform for industry professionals to exchange ideas, explore emerging trends, and help shape the future of incentive travel worldwide.
James Taylor to Deliver Keynote Address
James Taylor is an internationally recognised keynote speaker, author, and advisor on creativity, innovation, and artificial intelligence. He is known for helping organisations unlock creative potential and explore how humans and intelligent machines can collaborate to drive innovation.
Speaking on the announcement, Annette Gregg, CEO of SITE, said the 2026 conference will focus on practical insights and future-ready strategies.
“SITE Global Conference is where our global community comes together to challenge assumptions and gain ideas that move our industry forward. In Abu Dhabi, we will explore how wonder, awe, and curiosity can translate into smarter strategies, stronger partnerships, and more meaningful incentive experiences,” Gregg said.
Wide-Ranging Educational Sessions
The conference programme will feature keynote presentations, workshops, and sprint sessions covering key areas such as:
- Artificial intelligence and emerging technology
- Business strategy and leadership
- Sustainability and wellness
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB)
- Community impact and responsible technology adoption
All sessions are designed to provide practical tools and ideas that can be applied immediately by incentive travel professionals.
Destination Experiences in Abu Dhabi
In addition to the education programme, delegates will participate in destination discovery experiences highlighting Abu Dhabi as a leading incentive travel destination, with curated cultural and local experiences.
SITE Global Conference 2026 is hosted with the support of the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau and The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. Registration for the conference is now open via SITEGlobal.com.
