The New Expectations for Incentive Travel: What’s Really Changing?

New research reveals three major shifts in the purpose, perception and location of incentive travel programs.

The Stand-Up October 24, 2024 Edited by Miguel Neves View in browser Hi there,   Incentive travel is meant to drive performance, but the 2024 Incentive Travel Index reveals a few fascinating evolutions.   Companies are now leaning into incentive trips not just as rewards, but as tools for shaping corporate culture. Group experiences and celebrations are emerging as key moments for reinforcing company values.   What's more, incentive travel is increasingly seen as part of compensation. It's edging closer to the territory of annual bonuses, with younger employees especially valuing these experiences over other rewards.   But in a year marked by geopolitical uncertainties, the choice of destination is taking on new weight. Safety concerns are steering companies towards politically stable locations, even when their teams may dream of more exotic adventures. Still, the desire for far-flung travel hasn't diminished, and companies are balancing caution with the promise of unforgettable experiences.   Do these trends align with what you're seeing?   Reply to this email with your thoughts or share examples from your incentive programs!   Falling Down Stairs, Talking to Strangers: How Planners Got Their Start The more you ask planners how they got their start in the meetings industry, the more random the stories become. The New Expectations for Incentive Travel Skift Meetings dug deep into the 2024 Incentive Travel Index findings to unearth three major shifts in the purpose, perception and location of incentive travel programs. As New CEO of NYC Tourism, Julie Coker Aims to Replicate San Diego's Convention Success Julie Coker, president and CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority, is heading to the Big Apple to help revitalize business travel and group business. 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Nature, Walkable Downtowns, and Top-Tier Venues Elevate the Attendee Experience Created collaboratively with Tourism Whistler Whistler, British Columbia, shines as a meetings and incentives destination with its natural beauty and planner-friendly amenities. How I Got My Start In Events Few people wake up one morning and decide they want to be a planner. Most literally fall into the meetings industry, like these 10 planners did. IMEX America 2024 in Review: From Baseball to Pickleball, the Industry Is All-In on Personalized Experiences In this episode of the Skift Meetings Podcast, we recap the record-breaking IMEX America 2024, diving into industry trends and the innovations shaping the future of events. San Francisco Travel Association's New CEO Outlines Plans to Escape the City's Doom Loop Narrative Anna Marie Presutti is finding new ways to increase funds for the San Francisco Travel Association, which is crucial to revitalizing its meetings and events business. Helsinki Earns Top Spot in Destination Sustainability Index The latest edition of the industry's only ranking of destinations focused on sustainability benchmarks the strategies, action plans, and initiatives of 100 cities and regions worldwide. Gen Z Will Reshape Events There is an untapped group that can help you make your events a must-attend, according to a new Freeman Report. UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS: IBTM World (Nov.19-21 in Barcelona, Spain ) Event Tech Live London / Event Sustainability Live (Nov. 20-21, in London, UK) IAEE Expo! Expo! (Dec. 16-19 in Los Angeles, CA) Explore our full calendar of industry events here. More From Skift Meetings IMEX America Breaks Attendance Records and Commits to Vegas  Sneakers Take Center Stage at IMEX Sustainability Lags in the Events Industry While Budgets are Up Hotel Points for Planners: Who Cashes In? To ensure there are no pauses in our communication, please add our email address to your contacts: meetings@skift.com. 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