Chicago — Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) is sad to announce the passing of SITE founder and legend, Robert “Bob” Guerriero, 90. Mere months short of SITE’s 50th anniversary, Bob leaves behind an industry sector, now worth almost $80 billion USD, that he played a seminal role in establishing.
From 1968 onwards when he founded The Journeymasters, an agency exclusively dedicated to the promotion and delivery of incentive travel programs, Bob challenged destination partners all over the world to create extraordinary travel experiences with him, worthy of the extraordinary performance of the corporate executives who qualified for them. In so doing he helped start an industry that unified the worlds of business and travel.
His pioneering work laid the foundations for what was originally known as the Society of Incentive Travel Executives, formed by Bob, and three other like-minded professionals, following their convening of a meeting at the Americana Hotel in New York City on December 4, 1973. In 2023, SITE will commence a year-long program in celebration of its 50th anniversary, with a global conference attracting over 700 global delegates in the city of SITE’s foundation.
Vittorio Marsiglio, Chairman and CEO of i2Travel, Italy, an early partner and collaborator of Bob’s said, “When I started to work with Bob back in the late 1960s, like most partner-suppliers, I knew nothing about incentive travel. Under Bob’s patient guidance, I learned how to channel the uniqueness of my destination and craft creative programs.”
“Besides his business acumen, Bob was also a poet and this was evident in the beautifully scripted travel documents that he created himself,” Marsiglio continued. “My success as an incentive travel specialist stems from the fact that Bob was a great teacher, sharing his knowledge not only with me, but with the entire incentive world.”
Annette Gregg, SITE’s recently appointed new CEO, concluded, “SITE today is testimony to Bob’s passion and that of other visionaries who could see the enduring, transformative power of travel as the ultimate element in recognition programs. With over 2,000 members in over 90 countries, Bob has left behind a global legacy.”
Bob will be laid to rest on Monday, November 28, 2022 in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem, following requiem Mass at the Immaculate Conception Church, Hawthorne Blvd., Salem, at 11 A.M. May he rest in peace.
