Photo Credit: Cloudy Design for Adobe Stock
The Society for Incentive
Travel Excellence has joined the growing group of events
industry organizations that are condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and has
taken its response a step further, as SITE’s Poland chapter spearheads industry efforts
to assist the Ukrainian refugees fleeing to the neighboring country.
Following is SITE's March 3 statement:
“SITE is a niche association of some 2,000 professionals
working in over 90 countries around the world whose jobs involve highlighting
the unique advantages of travel experiences within the reward and recognition
programs of corporations and enterprises.
We believe that travel rewards channel extraordinary
benefits to the individuals who qualify for them, the corporations who sponsor
them and the destinations in which they take place.
By celebrating diversity, highlighting equity, promoting
inclusion, and fostering cultural immersion and exchange, travel acts as a
powerful agent of tolerance, peace and unification.
We profess that belief again today as the peace and security
of our world has been attacked, and call for an immediate end to hostilities and
support for those affected.
As an association, we are committed to actively exploring
how our global community can best use its collective strength to provide help,
assistance and resources where they are needed.
Our SITE chapter in Poland, led by chapter president Grazyna
Grot-Duziak, is already actively supporting refugees from Ukraine, who have
crossed the border into Poland, with transport, accommodation, food, medicines,
cleaning products, medical and legal assistance — even making their own homes
available for mothers with children.
They are routing financial donations through Polish Humanitarian Action, an aid organization
that has been responding to human tragedies caused by wars and natural
disasters for over 25 years — “seeing in each of these crises the fate of
another human being.” We have also identified two Ukraine-focused aid organizations
with 501 (c) 3 status in the U.S. — Nova
Ukraine and United Help Ukraine.
We encourage all SITE members
and chapters to help in whatever ways you can.
Finally, though nowhere near enough, our
thoughts are with all of the individuals and families impacted by these events.
We stand in solidarity with all of you, in hope for a free and flourishing
future.”