Beyond Borders: A Members-Only Virtual Event

Join us on Friday, March 28 at 10 AM Central for Beyond Borders, a quarterly, members-only virtual event designed to foster peer-to-peer conversations among SITE members worldwide. Each session kicks off with a 10-minute update from a SITE Team Member, followed by a dynamic, 50-minute education segment led by a fellow SITE member.

Beyond Borders sessions are designed to inspire, connect, and engage, aligning with one of SITE’s seven education pillars and the goals of the Beyond Borders program. Whether you're looking to gain fresh insights, exchange ideas, or expand your professional network within the SITE community, this event is for you.

Quarter 1 Featured Session:

Host: Jose Navarrete, SITE South America Member

Title: Strengthening Human Connections in Incentive Travel

Description:

Incentive travel is about more than just destinations — it’s about people. Join Jose Navarrete, member of SITE South America and President of Pushaq S.A., a Latin American Destination Management Company (DMC) based in Ecuador, to explore the power of global staffing and human connection in incentive travel.

Through an engaging case study and panel discussion, we’ll explore how companies have boosted team morale by implementing incentive programs – using their global teams as a foundation for strengthening connections in a fast-changing world.

We’ll also brainstorm about creativity in times of crisis, and how a contingency plan for “catastrophe” scenarios — like another pandemic or shifting geopolitical landscapes — is essential for any team navigating the global incentive travel industry.

But this isn’t just a listening session! You’ll get hands-on experience tackling a real-world challenge in small breakout groups, working together to develop a creative contingency plan for a proposed scenario. Each team will then pitch their idea to the full group. The best solution — determined by your colleagues’ votes — might just earn your team a prize (or at least some serious bragging rights).

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, collaborate, and connect with SITE members from around the world!

Jose Navarrete (Moderator)

President

Pushaq S.A.

José Navarrete Martínez is a dynamic and multilingual business leader with extensive experience in project and general management, tourism, higher education, and market research. With over 15 years of international expertise spanning Ecuador, Switzerland, and the United States, he has developed a strong background in business development, marketing, customer service, and change management.

Currently, José serves as Latin American Representative for the International Management Institute in Switzerland and is also the President of Pushaq S.A., a Latin American Destination Management Company (DMC) based in Ecuador, where he successfully relaunched the company post-pandemic and leads tailor-made excursion planning and incentive travel. His leadership experience extends to executive education, having worked as an Executive Education Manager and Associate Researcher at the St. Gallen Institute of Management in Latin America, where he promoted executive education services and conducted research on sustainable development.

Previously, José held various leadership roles in the tourism and education sectors, including as Professor at Universidad de las Américas in Ecuador, where he taught marketing, consumer behavior, and tourism promotion while mentoring undergraduate students. His industry expertise is further reflected in his work with luxury tourism operations, cruise management, and digital travel marketing, contributing to award-winning projects and innovative business strategies.

José is currently working on his Doctoral Degree in International Tourism (expected 2025) from Universidad Anáhuac, Mexico, and has earned multiple master’s degrees in Cybersecurity & Business Continuity, Business Intelligence & Big Data, and Business Administration with a major in Tourism from prestigious universities in Spain and Switzerland. His certifications in financial management, big data, and hospitality analytics further complement his expertise.

Fluent in Spanish, English, and working knowledge of German, José is a passionate advocate for sustainable tourism and innovation, dedicated to fostering impactful collaborations and advancing responsible business practices worldwide.