Incentive - December 2007 - (Page 9)

IN THE NEWS Industry News Goodbye to a great friend of the industry: The Incentive magazine family would like to acknowledge with sadness the passing of Walt Tabor on October 16. Born March 21, 1929, Walt had a full life—and a full career. His first job was delivering bread at 11 years old. He worked his way into sales and was publisher of Premium Incentive Business. He was one of IMRA’s most avid supporters and was a benefactor of the IMRA scholarship program. A little known fact: Walt had his first Cadillac by the age of 21, said good friend Bill Squitieri of Crain’s magazine, who wanted to make sure we wrote, “He kept his sense of humor ’til the end.” That was Walt. We’ll all miss him. Surviving Walt is his beloved wife, Antoinette Murphy, who resides in Jupiter, Fla. Pictured with Walt are Norma Jean Knollenberg of Top Brands (left) and Carmen Gray of Coach. Amex Predicts Rising Travel Costs W ith demand outstripping supply, the cost of business travel will rise between 11 and 14 percent next year, according to American Express Business Travel’s annual Global Business Travel Forecast, released in October. While the study takes a wider view than incentive travel, much of the forecast applies, particularly for high-end hotels. For instance, in the Asia-Pacific region, rates are expected to climb nearly 20 percent over 2007, but that number is somewhat skewed by huge jumps in a few markets, such as India, increasing between 38 and 41 percent. In Europe, a 12 to 14 percent increase is higher than it would be if England, where rates could go up by nearly one quarter, were excluded. Airfares were less varied, with international flights set to rise 3 to 10 percent globally. Short-haul national flights will rise by about half that, the report says. Higher fuel costs have been offset, to an extent, by the growing use of low-cost airlines. —L.J. Rate increases, by region: Region . . . . . . . . . . .Upper Range Hotel Rates North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5%-8% Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12%-14% Latin America/Caribbean . . . . . . . . .7%-10% Asia-Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18%-22% The VIP Treatment County uses incentives to attract and keep volunteer EMTs and firefighters A t a county meeting in Rensselaer County, N.Y., a year and a half ago, the dire question of how to attract new people to ambulance services and fire services, as well as how to hold on to those currently donating their time and ability, was posed by county officials to a group of active volunteers. As a result of the meeting, the county came up with the Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP), a county-funded program that asks local businesses to offer discounts—of whatever percentage they choose—to individuals officially recognized as active volunteers. Early in November, the VIP program was announced and businesses were directed Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen M. Jimino, at podium, joined by local officials, unveils the county's new Hazardous Material Response Vehicle to a Web site where program application forms can be downloaded. The program will take effect in January when county volunteer ID cards are issued to firefighters and EMTs. While some local businesses already give discounts to volunteers, through the VIP program, their support of those men and women who selflessly serve the community as volunteer EMTs and firefighters will be prominently displayed on a window placard supplied by the county, indicating their support. Says Kathleen Jimino, county executive, “The program is intended to broaden what some of our businesses have already been doing.” For example, a local dry cleaner has been giving discounts to volunteers on dry cleaning and alterations, and another store offers discounts to local volunteers on plants and landscaping goods. For volunteers, VIP offers a prestigious and practical incentive. For businesses, Jimino sees it as a corporate citizenship opportunity. “By supporting our volunteers, our businesses are also being good citizens and can be recognized by the general public as such. It’s a win-win for our volunteers and for our businesses.” —Anne Marie D. Lee incentivemag.com | December 2007 | Incentive | 9 http://incentivemag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Incentive - December 2007

Incentive - December 2007 Contents Editor’s Note: Revved Up In the News Cover Story: Rolls-Royce Empowers Its Own Case Study: Booz Allen Hamilton Beating Your Best Incentive Primer: Add Value to Your Event Keeping Safety In Mind Incentive Interview Potentials Here and Now Research: Corporate Gifts Facts Report Tabletop Awards: Travel Gift Cards Travel News Viva Puerto Vallarta Indigenous Spas Advertiser Index Off the Cuff: Ambassador Christoph Bubb Luxury Brands Special Supplement

Incentive - December 2007

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