Incentive - June 2009 - (Page 41)

TRAVEL Colombia Captivates PAGE 44 Luxury in South Africa PAGE 47 The Central American nation is experiencing a revival, with rich culture and urban sophistication For safaris and nature incentives, the country is tough to beat, and programs are now accomplished with high-end flair designed to motivate and reward high performers for exceeding established goals that generate incremental revenue growth and that are beyond the investment in the program.”) The CEO shall be responsible for implementing adequate controls to assure that meetings, events, and incentive/recognition travel serve legitimate business purposes and are cost-justified. Total annual expenses for meetings, events, and incentive/recognition travel must not be greater than 15 percent of the company’s total sales and marketing spend. Total amount spent for an employee performance incentive/recognition event must not exceed 2 percent of the total compensation of eligible participants or 10 percent of total award earners’ compensation. To view the policy in full, visit www.incentivemag.com/tarp. U.S. Travel Assn. Sets TARP Policy and Delivers Pro-Meetings Petition to Senate By William Ng I n mid-May, an industry coalition led by the U.S. Travel Association rolled out its highly anticipated final guidelines for meetings, events, and incentive travel held by companies receiving federal financial assistance under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Shortly thereafter, the organization delivered a 21,000-signature petition to the U.S. Senate on behalf of the Keep America Meeting grassroots campaign defending the meetings and incentive industry. The model policy is intended to be a definitive response to President Barack Obama and Congress’ criticism earlier this year of what was perceived as lavish corporate meetings and incentive travel. The new guidelines follow and expand on the coalition’s preliminary guidelines released in February, in the immediate wake of the government’s backlash and call for industry standards. The policy was jointly devel- Maritz employees rally in St. Louis on May 12, designated as U.S. Travel Rally Day oped—with consultation from Maritz—by the U.S. Travel Association, Site, the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Destination Marketing Association International, International Association of Exhibitions and Events, Meeting Professionals International, National Business Travel Association, and Professional Convention Management Association. Following are notable items in the meetings template: All proposed meetings, events, and incentive/recognition travel organized by the company must serve one or more specified legitimate business purposes. Each proposed meeting, event, or incentive/ recognition travel with a cost exceeding $75,000 must be supported by a written business case identifying a specific business purpose. (The policy provides a list of “legitimate business purposes,” including “employee recognition programs to motivate and reward employees for achievement and productivity” and “performance incentives with clear rule structures that are Making Its Case Known While establishing regulatory controls for itself, the meetings and incentive industry made its voice heard to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during a Senate hearing on travel, entitled “Tourism in Troubled Times.” It delivered the Keep America | June 2009 | Incentive | 41 incentivemag.com http://www.incentivemag.com/tarp http://www.incentivemag.com

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

Incentive - June 2009
Contents
Editor’s Note: Motivation 2.0
Headlines
Cover Story: 8th Annual Industry Roundtable
Interview: Roger Dow
Research: Sales IQ
Marketing Trips to Success
HR Guide to Incentives
Strategies: In the Loop
Primer: Cash Is Secondary
Case Study: Centennial Comm. Connects With Gen Y
Travel News: Where To Go
Captivating Colombia
South Africa Beckons
Potentials: Here and Now
Electronics: Thin and Green Are the Trends
Power & Hand Tools: Building Up When Economy’s Down
Concern Grows Over A Genuine Scare: Luxury Counterfeits

Incentive - June 2009