Incentive - February 2009 - (Page 6)

FEBR UARY 2009 CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS Editor’s Note Looking back at the recessions of 1987 and 2001 (and recoveries of 1989 and 2003), a prediction: This too shall pass merchandise travel gift cards TRAVEL Travel News: Where To Go and What To Do Hotel companies are responding with creative flexibility to entice the lucrative incentive buyer to their properties; IMEX Wild Card winners PG 8 By Vincent Alonzo PG 33 Edited By Alex Palmer and Leo Jakobson Headlines The Incentive Federation plans to speak for the incentive industry in Washington, D.C.; Maritz reorganizes, Hummel named president/COO Travel Strategies: Make It Work Planners offer advice on trimming the budget without diminishing the experience or motivational value PG 11 Edited By Leo Jakobson and Alex Palmer PG 35 By Alex Palmer Strategies: Nature vs. Nurture The founder of James Feldman Associates argues recessions are uncontrollable but brief, so nurture partners and future leaders now Las Vegas: Changing Fortunes With the economy busted, The Strip’s top incentive destinations are eager to deal incentive buyers a winning hand at the negotiating table PG 39 By Marc Boisclair PG 29 By James Feldman AWARDS & GIFT CARDS Potentials Here and Now Consumer rewards succeed best across multiple retail channels; merchandise deals cut into the gift card market this holiday season Strategies: Thank God for the Recession Bad economic times breed creative destruction—of bad strategies supported by inertia and incompetent competitors buoyed by the boom, writes longtime industry leader Jim Dittman PG 42 Edited By Alex Palmer and Leo Jakobson PG 30 By Jim Dittman Merchandise Strategies: Success in Small Steps Short-hit merchandise incentive programs—running two weeks to two months—keep salespeople’s eye on the ball and head in the game Research: Industry Trends 2009 The IRF Industry Trends survey sees declining use of incentives, and consulting firm Mercer looks at the global layoff picture PG 44 By Alex Palmer PG 32 By Leo Jakobson The Economy’s Down; You Don’t Have to Be In tough economic times, promotional products are an effective way of connecting with consumers and staff, PPAI Expo brand. Pavilion report On the Web Incentive’s online Survival Guide offers a trove of additional advice and information; Columnist Paul Hebert names must-have skills PG 47 By Sherri Lennarson PG 66 Edited by Stacy Straczynski Gift Cards Strategies: Flexibility Is the W ord As budgets are slashed, gift cards are excelling at what they do best: Offering choice and flexibility ADVERTISER INDEX For information on advertisers’ products and services, turn to page 65 PG 62 By Alex Palmer 6| Incentive | February 2009 | incentivemag.com http://www.incentivemag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Incentive - February 2009

Incentive - February 2009
Contents
Editor's Note
Headlines
The Incentive Survival Guide to 2009
Strategies: Nature vs. Nurture
Strategies: Thank God for the Recession
Research: Industry Trends 2009
Travel News: Where To Go and What To Do
Travel Strategies: Make It Work
Las Vegas: Changing Fortunes
Potentials Here and Now
Merchandise Strategies: Success in Small Steps
The Economy's Down; You Don't Have to Be
Gift Cards Strategies: Flexibility Is the Word
Advertiser Index
On the Web

Incentive - February 2009