DkIT Lecturer Glenn McCormack presents at Global Conference in Abu Dhabi following awarding of prestigious SITE Foundation Scholarship

Glenn, who also serves as Chapter Leader for Membership on the SITE Ireland Board, was selected as a scholarship recipient based on his essay on the topic of ‘Travel as Transformation’. The essay explored the powerful role of incentive travel in shaping careers, communities and personal development - themes that resonate strongly within both the global incentive travel industry and hospitality education.

Glenn’s journey in the incentive travel, events and hospitality industry began with early bar and restaurant work that sparked his love of human connection and grew through roles in major hotels, international event operations, and over a decade at the Guinness Storehouse, where he helped shape world‑class experiences for global incentive groups. Along the way he developed expertise in experience design, destination marketing, and collaborative leadership, guided by mentors who shaped his approach to people and purpose. That foundation ultimately led him into academia, where he now teaches and mentors future professionals while continuing to champion the sector through SITE Ireland, where he plays an active part in growing engagement within the Irish incentive travel community and supporting the next generation of industry professionals. 

In recognition of the strength of his submission and his leadership within SITE Ireland, Glenn was invited to speak at a dedicated breakout session for scholarship winners during the conference. His presentation on ‘Travel as Transformation,’ examined how travel experiences can act as catalysts for professional growth, cross-cultural understanding and long-term industry impact.

The SITE Global Conference brings together international leaders in incentive travel, destination management, hospitality and events to explore innovation, sustainability and the future direction of the sector. The 2026 conference which took place in February in Abu Dhabi marked a significant gathering of global industry professionals and reaffirmed SITE’s commitment to developing emerging leaders through its foundation programmes.

Incentive travel is a reward-based programme used by organisations to recognise and motivate high performing employees, sales teams, or partners. Designed to drive business outcomes rather than leisure, it delivers exceptional, often once in a lifetime experiences. The sector supports airlines, hotels, venues, destination management companies and local suppliers, contributes to jobs and international trade, strengthens destination brands, and is a key part of the Government’s Business Events 2030 strategy.

Speaking about the experience, Glenn said: “Receiving the SITE Foundation scholarship was both an honour and a privilege. The opportunity to contribute to a global conversation about the transformative power of travel aligns closely with my work at DkIT, where we aim to equip students not just with industry skills, but with a global mindset. Incentive travel has the capacity to shape careers and communities, and I was proud to represent DkIT and SITE Ireland on this international stage.”

Head of Department, Dr Kevin Burns, Department of Hospitality at DkIT, added: “Glenn’s scholarship and speaking engagement reflect the calibre of expertise within our department. His involvement with SITE at international level strengthens DkIT’s industry links and ensures our students benefit from current global insights and professional networks.”