I recently had the opportunity to attend the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) Invitational, where I joined industry peers to discuss the current challenges facing the economy and why it’s important to keep recognition and incentive programs at the forefront in today’s business landscape.
There’s no doubt that geopolitical uncertainty continues to challenge event planners, requiring them to step up their A-game on event management with greater agility and foresight. This is especially true for those managing international travel. Yet, despite these hurdles, research showed that top-performing companies are leaning into their incentive strategies more than ever.
Why? They recognized that well-executed recognition and rewards programs remain powerful tools for staying competitive in an evolving marketplace.
At IRF, one of the most insightful sessions I attended was “What Top-Performing Companies Do Differently.” This session took a deep look at data that demonstrates how companies that offer incentive programs foster a more productive and happier workforce. This is something I’ve seen firsthand throughout my career, having worked with organizations to design and deliver effective incentive solutions since 2000.
While these findings may not sound groundbreaking, the data takes into consideration that despite external pressures, whether from global disruptions (such as the pandemic), political unrest or economic shifts, the most top-performing companies continue to invest in recognition and rewards programs. These companies understand that incentive programs deliver real return on investment and use them as high-impact tools to influence behavior effectively.
Another standout session at IRF, “Building a Culture of Recognition,” explored how frequent and meaningful recognition directly correlated with an employee’s level of engagement and commitment, which couldn’t be more crucial during times of economic uncertainty.
While it’s tempting to assume a higher salary will always win top talent, the data shows that compensation alone rarely has the same impact as offering a comprehensive recognition program. Employees want to feel seen and valued. And for organizations looking to recruit new employees and retain commitment long term, a strong and thoughtful recognition strategy can be the differentiator.
With all this research, the fact stands that having a broad recognition program with multiple facets delivers a higher success rate. The value placed on gift cards, incentive travel and merchandise may vary based on industry expectations and audience, but one thing remains clear: top performers seek some form of recognition. Even smaller rewards can have a significantly higher value when given sincerely, regularly and personally.
As companies continue to evolve their recognition strategies, many are looking toward innovation to enhance their impact. One area gaining momentum is the use of artificial intelligence (AI). With AI being more commonly used and integrated, companies are taking a closer look at how it can enhance incentive programs.
What we do know is that AI helps recognition programs advance by simplifying logistics, enabling smarter personalization and streamlining reward delivery. These efficiencies give meetings and incentives professionals more time to focus on what truly matters: creating meaningful human connections, whether through live events or virtual experiences.
At Atlas Travel, our Meetings & Incentives team is dedicated to making sure our clients’ recognition programs are dynamic and truly aligned with the culture of their organization. Whether we are managing incentive group travel programs or individual rewards such as our Great Escape Awards, we strive to deliver programs that feel exclusive, experiential, personalized and focused on exceptional customer service.
Our open architecture technology allows us to partner with various platforms and provide strategic consultation and planning. We focus on designing programs that succeed in motivating and rewarding employees while supporting organizational goals.
If you would like to learn more about how we can support your incentive and recognition efforts, please reach out to me to schedule a conversation at jennifer.murphy@atlastravel.com.
