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Congratulations to Robyn Davis (�鶹��ý Southeast USA) who earned �鶹��ý’s highest honor in this year’s award celebrations. 

Robyn has been championed as an exceptional leader, innovator, and advocate for incentive travel. She is a visionary leader of her own third-party agency and has orchestrated many award-winning incentive programs that have earned top industry prizes like �鶹��ý Crystal Awards. 

Robyn is a cornerstone of the �鶹��ý community, having served on her local chapter board and as chapter president. She’s earned warm praise for her ability to celebrate the unique individuality of each chapter member, and her grace in ensuring everyone feels valued and respected. 

Her leadership is a model for others, positively demonstrating how to thoughtfully and collaboratively spread engagement across �鶹��ý and the industry at large to leave a lasting impact and legacy. 

Embracing the attributes of the award’s namesake, Feyhan Kaprali (�鶹��ý Türkiye) was celebrated for the generosity of time and energy she consistently extends to fellow incentive professionals. 

Feyhan has made remarkable contributions to �鶹��ý, including serving as a key member of the 2024 �鶹��ý Global Conference host committee — shaping exceptional pre- and post-Conference experiences, and wearing many hats behind the scenes to deliver an outstanding Istanbul event.

She brings to her work a keen attention to detail, as well as a deep passion for her home country: and is also a true team player, actively embracing the spirit of collaboration and sharing a keen commitment to her local �鶹��ý chapter. 

Feyhan’s warmth, generosity, and uncanny ability to unite people make her an exemplar in the industry, widely treasured, loved, and adored the world over. 

After jokingly reflecting on their time making “great plans for world domination by DMCs,” former �鶹��ý President Rajeev Kohli named Denise Dornfeld as the newest recipient of this award, acknowledging her unwavering integrity, exceptional leadership, and lifelong commitment to incentive travel.

A pioneering force in the business events sector, this honor recognizes Denise’s decades-long career in the industry, including the leading role she played in transforming PRA Business Events into a global brand with millions in sales and the industry’s first franchise model. 

Her service as a former �鶹��ý Foundation president resulted in groundbreaking industry research that has strengthened the case for incentive travel as a business driver, alongside other meaningful contributions she’s made to ADMEI, MPI, and the Girl Scouts Urban Campout.

Denise has also served as a mentor to thousands. Her dedication inspires loyalty in others, and she stands out for the vision and empathy — perfectly encapsulated in her remarks to others during Global Conference that “Legacy is built by those who came before us, and is now carried forward by all of us.” 

Akhona Fakudze received the inaugural Mentee of the Year Award, recognized for his insatiable commitment to personal and professional growth and contributions as part of �鶹��ý’s Mentoring Members program. 

From the outset, Akhona’s initiative and drive to achieve SMART goals stood out, engaging deeply with his mentor to set key milestones and systemically track progress. 

This dedication has already resulted in tangible business results, as Akhona has enjoyed an increase in inquiries in his region and developed new strategies to work toward building out world-class incentive travel programs.

Akhona’s future is bright, as he continues to stand out as a rising industry leader embracing the spirit of �鶹��ý’s community, expands his network, and embraces new opportunities to share his knowledge and continue to be a lifelong learner. 

Jacob Smith was the recipient of �鶹��ý’s other first-time honor presented at this year’s Global Conference, the �鶹��ý Young Leader of the Year Award.

Trekking all the way to Mexico from Sydney, Australia, Jacob was lauded for his exemplary commitment to incentive travel through his volunteer activities with the �鶹��ý ANZ chapter; his industry participation; and overall passion and enthusiasm for the industry. 

Highlights of Jacob’s resume so far including embracing significant levels of responsibility early on in his career, as he transformed his family’s business and has worked to continually position himself and his organization as forward-thinking leaders within incentive travel. 

He also balances his business leadership commitments with industry volunteerism, serving as the �鶹��ý ANZ board treasurer in 2024 and tapping his “get it done” approach, as well as his resilience, humility, and commitment to mentorship, to deliver formative financial reforms for the chapter.