1. Incentive Trends and How to Incorporate Them Into Your Programs
Michael J. Lyons

2. Introductions Name Company/Organization
Role in Incentive Travel Planning Process
What are you currently doing/seeing?

3. Background - Incentive Travel
For decades, businesses have sought to optimize the performance of their people through incentive programs:
Tools have changed
Economy has changed
Interest in engagement and performance has not
Companies are focused on calibrating cash-based and non-cash motivators to maximize performance

4. 2017 Trends Study – releases in January
The Incentive Research Foundation is reviewing and analyzing trends in key areas such as:
Technology – Responsive, Interactive
Changing Role of Rewards & Recognition
Changing Regulatory Environment
Safety Perceptions and Disruptors

5. Incentive Travel Stats
2015 market research study by IRF:
84% of all U.S. firms use non-cash awards to motivate and engage their workforce
45% of all businesses using non-cash awards use incentive travel awards in some manner
Travel has consistently maintained its place as a top motivator
"Best in Class” companies use incentive travel to reward and recognize achievement of goals 

6. Trend: Budgets are on the rise

7. Trends: IRF Study Findings
Rising F&B and room costs was the biggest change to program budgets in 2016
Few planners are reducing # of rooms and length of program
Since 2013, trend has seen shift from domestic to international locales rather than vice versa
70% of programs include CSR component
Lead time to plan a travel program averages more than a year
Qualification time period to earn trip averages 12 months +

8. Emerging Trends Unconventional destinations Memorable activities
Time to reconnect with guest/spouse
Personalization (company message) and customization (individual tastes) are key
Health and Wellness

9. Generational Influence
In 2015 Millennials surpassed Generation Xers in workforce
Today, one out of three is a Millennial worker
Connected 24/7 to devices
Demanding unique, authentic experiences with some form of altruistic give-back
Active, team building, sports, exercise
More variety and hands-on experiential

10. More Trends Impact Travel: blend of CSR “do good” and “go local”
Clean up a park
Paint a school
Experience destination like a local (cooking classes)
Luxury is back – more high end properties being used
Bucket list check-off
Educational opportunities in local community (e.g. Alaska)
Visits to places like Panama Canal, World Heritage Sites

11. Program Participant Changes
Traditionally, incentive programs were designed for sales people only (direct impact on bottom line)
Now companies are recognizing value and impact of non-sales employees who are valuable to enterprise
Team-based in addition to individuals
Some programs offer “Buy-In” Option

12. Experience and Destination
With rise of “Experience Economy”, more experienced travelers, and bigger budgets:
U.S. planners looking for different & intriguing destinations in addition to “tried and true”
U.S. & Caribbean still top destinations (50% of planners reported using them in 2016)
Europe now rivals Canada as close second tier option
Mexico is most popular with corporate end users and is still a highly rated option with over 1/3 of planners sending groups to MX in 2016 

13. Preferred Destinations
New emerging countries/cities:
Budapest, Prague, Croatia, Iceland, Panama, Australia, Switzerland, Vienna, Barcelona
Oldies but goodies:
Sun & Fun
Paris, Rome and London

14. mike@michaeljlyons.com - Twitter: @_MichaelJLyons