Incentive - February 2008 - (Page 10)

IN THE NEWS and incentives piece because that’s where Carlson Wagonlit Travel partners so effectively with Carlson Marketing.” Asked how active she plans to remain in the company, Carlson Nelson says, “I expect to remain active, period. In terms of the company, Hubert and I will work out what my assignments will be.” She adds that she will likely continue to act as an ambassador for the company to the various industries it is active in, at least until Joly gets as familiar with all the businesses as he is with CWT. People On The Move Blabolil Takes Over IMA First and foremost, Blabolil says he plans to continue working on the IMA’s recently developed goal of pushing the industry to develop “a unifying message about the importance of incentives.” Different segments of the industry, like merchandise suppliers and reps, travel suppliers and incentive houses, each have their own goals and often go to market with competing messages, Blabolil says. “But we all agree on one core element,” he says. That is, simply, that incentives work. “I expect to remain active, period.” There is an educational component to this, Blabolil adds. “[The IMA] is not a source of research, but we tag onto research other groups do,” he says, pointing to groups like the Forum for People Performance Management and Measurement and the Incentive Federation. “We get it out to the world,” and continue to support that research, of course. Much the same spirit applies to the organization’s Web site. Among his goals, Blabolil says, is to make it simpler to locate industry information there. “We want it to be easier for [users] to find information,” without having to drill down into thick and complex reports to access basic data on trends. s Fay Beauchine, Carlson Marketing’s execuDavid Peer has been tive vice president, named vice president, Engagement & Events, client services, of has been named chair Chicago-based Hinda of the National Business Incentives. Prior to Travel Association this, Peer had been (NBTA) Foundation. senior director, merThe Foundation supchandise and fulfillports a variety of indusment, of Minneapotry research, offers edulis-based Carlson cational and professionMarketing. At Hinda, al certification programs and provides members Peer will oversee merscholarships. chandising, marketing and client services, Beauchine is also vice dealing with product president of the Intercategories such as gift national SITE (ISITE) certificates, debit Foundation, as well as a Carlson Marketing’s Fay Beauchine cards, electronics, past president of the sporting goods, housewares, Society of Incentive & Travel Executives. luggage, home furnishings and apparel. She has been a trustee of the NBTA and “The division I ran at Carlson MarketMeeting Professionals International, and was named one of the business travel indusing is similar to what I do at Hinda,” Peer try’s top 25 most influential executives three says, adding that in his previous position, he did a lot of strategic due diligence, times by Business Travel News, a sister publication of Incentive. Thirty years ago this month, Lois LeMenager founded Marketing Innovators International. In that time, the company has grown into a leader in the people performance management industry, as well as the fifth-largest woman-owned business in Chicago, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. “We’ve always focused on innovative program strategy and development, but award fulfillment plays a key role,” says LeMenager. A leader in gift cards, the firm has been the exclusive corporate sales distributor of JCPenney gift cards for 25 years. LeMenager says: “Back in the eighties, we were determined to make our incentive gift certificate vision a reality, so we developed the technology for administering a vast array of gift cards from hundreds of merchant partners.” —L.J. –Marilyn Carlson Nelson, on her plans after stepping down as CEO of Carlson Companies looking at the challenges and opportunities facing this segment of the incentive industry, as well as studying competitors. “I really glommed onto Hinda,” he says. “I was intrigued by their business model. From what I see, they are uniquely positioned to capture market share. They have a growth trajectory I wanted to be part of.” Beyond that, Peer says, “I was really impressed with their focus on clients. [Hinda] has such a genuine desire to deliver good quality service.” He adds: “I believe it enough that I picked up and moved to Chicago.” 10 | Incentive | February 2008 | incentivemag.com http://www.incentivemag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Incentive - February 2008

Incentive Magazine - February 2008 Editor’s Note: Archie and the Boys In The News Cover Story: On The Ball Incentives Incentive Primer: How to Use Sporting Events Incentive Interview: Jim Avery on Doing the Right Thing Employee Empowerment Motivates and Pays Dividends Hospitals, Nurses Win With Flexible Scheduling Legal Ease: Safety Programs and Unions Case Study: The Weitz Company Retains Its Boomers Potentials: Here and Now Star Power in the Kitchen Awards: Gift Card Trends for the New Year Travel News The Manhattanization of Las Vegas Classics Renewed: Monaco and France Advertiser Index Off The Cuff: Tumi’s Mike Landry

Incentive - February 2008

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