The New York-based Society of Incentive and Travel Executives has announced that it has selected Chicago-based Smith, Bucklin & Associates as its new management company. According to SITE president Peggy Whitman, CITE, the association “diligently researched a number of management options” before choosing Smith, Bucklin on behalf of its membership of 2,000 incentive industry professionals.

Explaining SITE's decision to hire outside management after almost 30 years as a “stand-alone” association, Whitman pointed to the society's long-range plans. “The SITE board of directors recognized the need for an enhanced management structure that would allow the society to maintain its position of leadership and continue to grow,” she said. She offered assurance however, that management, under the leadership of new executive director Brenda Anderson, will be incorporated “within the confines of our unique culture.” She added, “We are keenly aware that SITE's culture is our greatest strength and strongest asset.”

According to Whitman, SITE hopes to draw on Smith, Bucklin's more than 50 years of association management experience to improve and expand its own communications and operations strategies. The management company's best practices, Whitman said, “will be utilized by SITE in the form of integrated marketing and communication efforts, targeted membership campaigns, and state-of-the-art technologies.”

The management transition, which is expected to continue through the end of 2002, “should be relatively seamless to our members,” Whitman said. She noted that the move of SITE headquarters to its new Chicago address is already complete, and that all SITE events for the year are scheduled to proceed as planned. “It should be business as usual for the organization as we start laying the foundation for the organization's future growth and development,” she said.

SITE 401 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611; 312/321-5148; www.site-intl.org