Incentive - July 2008 - (Page 47)

One of the better known “brand” destinations in travel has been Las Vegas, also an incentive hotspot. This spring VEGAS.com introduced gift cards redeemable for Vegas hotel rooms, show tickets, golf tee times and nightclub passes. The cards are currently virtual only (physical cards were set to be available this summer), delivered to recipients via e-mail and ready for use on the VEGAS.com site or call center. Like the city itself, you can keep things within reason—see $25, $50 and $100 denominations—or go high-roller with $1,000 to $100,000 denominations planned for later this year. Part of gift cards’ continued popularity for incentive recipients and consumers alike has been their own evolution—from humdrum department store sales tool to a ticket to a host of experiences and services as well as that great plasma TV. The combination of tangible and memorable packs a motivational punch. It doesn’t hurt that gift card providers have become a lot more attuned to marketing, co-branding cards with corporate logos, printing winners’ names and special messages, creating different designs and packaging that has included CD and DVD technology to create an entertaining and informative gift card. “Packaging matters,” agrees Jackman. “You walk a fine line with corporate incentives, though, because it’s got to have the look and feel of a corporation while still having that gifty look and feel for the recipients.” While gift card suppliers have been working to make it easier for the corporate giver and the recipient, the unexpected can always creep up. The recent dampened-down economy has led to retail bankruptcies and disappointed gift card holders who could not redeem awards. The Incentive Gift Card Council (IGCC), a Naperville, Ill.-based organization educating the corporate community about the benefits of using gift cards (see more on their membership on page 48), advises clients be aware of some basic facets of bankruptcy law, namely that gift cards do not have to be honored, even if the bankrupt retailer wants to, per court order, and any new buyer is not legally required to honor the cards. Like anything else in business, the IGCC recommends you do your due diligence when choosing a gift card partner, and that means being alert to a company’s financial status, paying close attention to the business section of your newspaper, and listening to the word on the street, even checking out any retailer or service provider you are thinking of using for an incentive gift card award. There’s no predicting the economy, but one thing that shouldn’t change regarding any incentive and recognition program is providing a hassle-free reward. As long as the cards are easily and widely redeemable for goods and services your recipients will want, you will bask in the spotlight of a job well done. 5 PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING It’s more than a gift card— it’s the total package! Take gift-giving to a whole new level with our sound greetings and box presenters. Tuck in a Hallmark gift card, add a personal touch with your custom message, and make an impression they won’t forget! WWW.HALLMARKTRIBUTES.COM 816-545-6915 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION | JULY 2008 INCENTIVE 47 http://VEGAS.com http://VEGAS.com http://WWW.HALLMARKTRIBUTES.COM

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

Incentive - July 2008 Contents Editor’s Note: Accentuate the Positive In The News Cover Story: Three Profiles in Good Corporate Citizenship Case Study Incentive Interview Senior Secrets To Thine Own Self be True Incentive Primer Motivation@Work Travel News: Where To Go and What To Do Take the Spa Home Not the Only Game in Town Here and Now Writing and Desktop Gifts Watches and Clocks Gift Cards: Health and Wellness Incentives Good Health Is Not Its Own Incentive Advertiser Index Last Word

Incentive - July 2008

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