This co-hort will be self paced with optional office hours taking place weekly leading up to the exam. Following the exam preparation class, students will have 2 weeks to complete the exam. The CIS exam is 90 minutes, 100 multiple choice questions, and self-proctored online with two attempts to pass. All office hour sessions will be recorded and posted on the product page.

Dates: 

Module 1: Wednesday, October 15, 2pm GMT

Module 2: Wednesday, October 22, 2pm GMT

Module 3A: Wednesday, October 29, 2pm GMT

Module 3B: Wednesday, November 5, 2pm GMT

Module 4: Wednesday, November 12, 2pm GMT

Exam Prep: Wednesday, November 19, 2pm GMT

Exam: The exam is self paced and will be open immediately following the exam prep and will remain open until Wednesday, March 5. 

*Students are expected to review the on-demand modules ahead of the optional office hours. All office hour sessions will be recorded and posted on the product page.

Location: 

Virtual

Description: 

The Certified Incentive Specialist (CIS) is an entry level credential from the Society of Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE). Taking place over 6 hours virtually (as well as a final exam), professionals from around the globe will acquire in an efficient manner a broad comprehension of the incentive travel industry. All emerging professionals, faculty members and students aspiring to enter this specialized segment of the meetings and events industry may use CIS as a stepping stone to reach higher levels of professionalism. Individuals will learn the fundamentals of incentives, the origins of incentive programs and incentive travel, the value chain, the value proposition of motivational programs and non-cash awards, the composition of the market, the makings of a program and a program budget, industry tools and platforms and other valuable information. Once the Exam preparation has concluded, students will have 2 weeks to complete the virtual exam, and those who are successful will join a global community of CIS holders!

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the basics of the incentive travel market and the differentiation of Incentive Travel in the meetings and events industry
• Explain the fundamentals of designing and executing incentive travel and motivational experiences from varying value chain perspectives
• Discuss ways to expand your incentive program and create new opportunities

Pricing:

Member: $495

Non-Member: $695*

*Please note that the Non-Member registration rate includes a prorated one year SITE membership. Please reach out to education@siteglobal.com if you have any questions.

Cancellation Policy: 

Please be sure you are available to attend when registering. Cancelations must be made in writing to education@siteglobal.com. Cancelations received less than 30 days prior to the course start date will not be granted a refund. Cancelations received more than 30 days prior to the course start date will be granted a full refund minus a $100 administrative fee. Course registrations may be transferred to another individual within the same company if requested at least two weeks in advance of the course event. If less than four (4) people are registered for this course one week from the start date, SITE may need to cancel. In that case, we will reschedule you for an equivalent product. 

The most impactful meetings and incentive events don’t just run smoothly; they leave people feeling inspired, connected, and part of something bigger. In this engaging webinar, you’ll gain practical insights on how to deepen relationships, spark engagement, and create experiences that people will talk about long after they’re over.

You will discover:

• How the Connection Pyramid™ empowers you, your colleagues, and your attendees to build stronger, more meaningful relationships
• A proven process to connect quickly and authentically with new people—even if you’re not an extrovert
• Strategies to create magical moments that attendees will remember and cherish

This webinar is worth one (1) CMP credit.

In this episode of SITE Bites, Tiffany Shafer, SITE's Education Specialist, and Caoimhe Rice, Director of Sales for Moloney & Kelly DMC, discuss the importance of networking in the incentives industry. They delve into practical tips for young leaders and emerging professionals on building and maintaining professional relationships. The conversation also covers personal career stories, the impact of social media, balancing different networking methods, and key SITE events. Listen in for valuable insights into creating a supportive professional community, boosting your credibility, and navigating industry events.

Discover how accessible design in incentive travel can create more inclusive, engaging, and memorable experiences for every participant. This session explores how removing barriers fosters a stronger sense of belonging — ultimately driving deeper engagement and better business outcomes. Featuring real-world examples from Cvent CONNECT and industry best practices, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to build more inclusive programs that reflect the diverse needs of today’s workforce.

During this session attendees will:
1. Discover practical strategies—including innovative technologies—for designing and executing accessible event programs that drive inclusion and engagement among diverse participants.

2. Apply real-world insights and best practices—including examples from Cvent CONNECT—to craft more inclusive, engaging, and memorable experiences that meet the needs of today’s diverse workforce.

3. Understand the business and cultural impact of removing physical, digital, and social barriers to create a greater sense of belonging, enhance participant satisfaction, and improve outcomes.

Welcome back to Site Bites! In this episode, Tiffany Shafer and guest co-host Emily Parsons-Walker discuss their wildest work from home hacks, share their experiences of transitioning to remote work, and explore tips for maintaining work-life balance. Highlights include tips such as turning off email notifications after work hours, the benefits of diffusing essential oils, and the idea of using a 'one-butt' chair to enhance productivity. They also share moments of joy, personal stories, and set new challenges for listeners to improve their remote work habits. Don't forget to contribute your ideas through the SITE Bites collection form!

Welcome to the first episode of SITE Bites, our newest education podcast designed to provide bite-sized, relevant content for you, our SITE members! Featuring Elizabeth Sage, SITE's resident data expert and Head of Events and Education, this 'Ask the Expert' format uncovers key insights on leveraging data to enhance engagement and ROI in the incentive travel industry. Tune in to learn about setting clear objectives, identifying vanity metrics, and the hidden potential in overlooked data sources. Don't miss out on the conversation, and remember to contribute to future content through our collection form!

SITE Bites is our newest education initiative—bite-sized, super relevant content designed with you in mind. Each episode will be around 15 to 20 minutes and packed with real tips, tools, and ideas that come straight from you, our SITE members. 

We’ve heard from our members that you’re looking for quick ways to crowdsource information that's what we’re going to do here on SITE Bites. There is a collection form where you can ask questions, and where you can answer questions already asked by others. We’re also going to have special guests on the podcast and you can ask them questions too.  

You’ll find each new episode right here in the Learn Hub – and the collection form will be available with each episode as well. You will also find the form in SITE’s newsletters and on our social media channels. You can even bookmark the collection link!

Whether it's your favorite AI websites, go-to attendee gifts under $50, or that one thing you saw at an event in 2024 that you can’t stop thinking about—we're going to talk about it. This is all about real voices, real experience, and real solutions. 

To kick off this project, we’re releasing two episodes right now so you can get the hang of how this works. We have Episode 1: Your wildest work from home hacks, and Episode 2: Data-driven decisions featuring SITE’s own Elizabeth Sage.  

We know time is a luxury and attention is a premium, so SITE Bites is our way of helping you stay connected, learn something new, and feel a little more in-the-know. 

So jump in, listen in, and join the conversation. We can’t wait to hear from you! 

El curso en línea CIS contiene grabaciones de cada módulo y los archivos PDF con las diapositivas utilizadas para enseñar cada módulo. Una vez registrado, recibirás acceso inmediato a estos recursos y al examen CIS. Tendrás 90 días desde la fecha de registro para completar el curso y el examen. Una vez que completes el examen CIS con una calificación aprobatoria, recibirás tu certificado CIS descargable y te unirás oficialmente a nuestra comunidad de personas certificadas con el CIS.

In the fast-paced world of meetings and events, stress and burnout can often feel like unavoidable challenges. As industry professionals, we dedicate ourselves to creating seamless experiences for others, but how often do we prioritize our own well-being? 

This webinar will explore the importance of mental health in the events industry, providing practical strategies to foster resilience, balance, and self-care. In the high-energy world of events, prioritizing mental wellness is essential—not just for individuals, but for attendees and entire teams. 

• Personal: Learn strategies to manage stress, set boundaries, and maintain balance while navigating the demands of event planning.
• Attendee: Discover how to create event experiences that support attendee well-being, from mindful programming to sensory-friendly environments.
• Company/Team: Explore best practices for fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes mental health, promotes collaboration, and prevents burnout.

Join us as we take a step back, reset, and build mindful momentum toward a healthier, more fulfilling career in events.

This webinar is worth one (1) CMP credit. 

Incentive travel continues to thrive as organizations invest in programs that drive company culture and business results. However, recent geopolitical shifts are threatening business meetings and international access, and the speed and degree of these changes can make us feel helpless. What are steps we can take now to gain perspective and a sense of control in the midst of so much change?

Join SITE CEO Annette Gregg as she moderates a compelling discussion with a panel of industry experts who will share firsthand insights on how these geopolitical shifts have impacted their organizations and strategies. They’ll explore the challenges, opportunities, and innovative solutions that are helping businesses navigate an increasingly complex global landscape. This timely and thought-provoking conversation will provide valuable perspectives for attendees around the world, equipping them with practical takeaways to adapt and thrive in uncertain times.