After welcoming SITE Canada Exchange to Kelowna in 2025, our team was excited to attend this year's event in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, which took place from January 6 to 9, 2026.

Attending SITE Canada Exchange 2026
 

The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) is the only global business events association dedicated exclusively to incentive travel. Attending the Exchange reminded us why SITE is such a powerful force in our industry. It's a place where education, connection, and fresh insights come together, helping incentive travel professionals stay ahead of trends that are shaping meetings and motivational experiences worldwide.

The Exchange is an ideal place to build relationships with leaders in the incentive travel industry. Planners, suppliers, and buyers from across Canada and the United States come together to share ideas, explore trends, and create partnerships. After hosting the Exchange last year, it was exciting to experience a new destination and witness the creativity, energy, and hospitality that make each SITE event so memorable.

What Exactly is Incentive Travel?

For those unfamiliar with the term, incentive travel is a unique part of the meetings and events industry, focused on rewarding, recognizing, and inspiring employees or clients through experiences that go beyond the usual conference or business trip. It is about creating memorable moments that connect people to each other and to a destination in meaningful ways. For organizations, incentive travel is a way to show appreciation, motivate teams, and celebrate achievements while leaving lasting impressions.

Fresh Destinations on Planners’ Minds

During SITE Canada Exchange 2026, planners expressed a strong interest in discovering fresh destinations, noting that they are seeking:

• Places that feel new to their clients and offer something unexpected.
• Secondary cities and lesser-known destinations, which are increasingly appealing, particularly when practical factors such as direct air access are in place.

With Kelowna’s natural charm and ongoing enhancements to our airport facilities, our destination fits this trend perfectly.

Building Connections
 

The Exchange kicked off with an apres-ski welcome reception at the Fairmont Tremblant. The atmosphere was warm and relaxed, creating the perfect setting for real conversations and new connections.

Throughout the week, I met one-on-one with 27 hosted buyers from across Canada and the United States, introducing them to Kelowna’s stunning natural beauty, world-class facilities, and vibrant culinary scene. These meetings went beyond introductions. They were opportunities to show why Kelowna is a compelling choice for incentive events, a destination that delivers both beauty and substance. 

Planners are seeking destinations that inspire and create experiences participants will remember long after the trip ends, from outdoor adventures to immersive cultural moments, and everything in between. Kelowna consistently stood out in conversations throughout the week, with the city's recent designation as Canada's first UNESCO City of Gastronomy generating significant buzz.

Learning and Giving Back
 

Education was another key focus of the Exchange. Sessions explored how corporate social responsibility is evolving within incentive travel and highlighted one clear message: experiences that create impact are increasingly seen as the true reward. Planners shared that meaningful experiences are remembered far longer than traditional team-building activities, helping to create deeper connections among participants and with the destination itself.
 

We saw this firsthand through WholeHearted’s Hike with Heart activation, organized as a wellness break during the conference. Attendees were encouraged to get their steps in for a good cause. With every cumulative kilometre walked, a donation was made to the 24-Hour Tremblant initiative, supporting children’s health and well-being charities across Quebec. This experience showed how incentive travel can combine wellness, engagement, and positive social impact in a way that resonates with participants.

Experiencing the Destination
 

The Exchange was not just about meetings and education. Some of the most memorable moments came through shared adventures. On the second morning, we skied together from the top of Mont Tremblant after breakfast. Later in the week, the group went dog sledding, creating shared memories that cannot be replicated in a typical meeting room. These experiences exemplify the essence of incentive travel.

Our final evening was spent enjoying the cuisine in Tremblant Village. Sharing food, culture, and laughter brought the week together in a meaningful way. It highlighted the kinds of experiences Kelowna can offer to incentive travel groups and reminded us how powerful these moments can be in creating lasting memories.
 

Looking Ahead in 2026

Across the industry, planners are seeking destinations that are culturally rich, experience-driven, and unique. As organizations seek ways to reward and inspire top performers, these new destinations are becoming the venues for meaningful, memorable incentive programs.

Attending SITE Canada Exchange reinforced Tourism Kelowna’s commitment to staying connected to industry trends, building strong relationships, and showcasing what makes our destination special. By doing this, we continue to offer planners a destination where rewarding experiences, lasting impressions, and real impact come together.

If you'd like to learn more about SITE Canada Exchange or want to discuss hosting your next incentive trip in Kelowna, email me at vanessa@tourismkelowna.com.