Incentive - May 2008 - (Page 10)

IN THE NEWS People on the Move PAGE 11 From awards and corporate anniversaries to promotions and new hires, here’s a peek at what’s happening in the incentive biz Motivation for Dummies PAGE 12 Which is NOT a smart team-building exercise: a) ropes course, b) paintball, c) waterboarding? The Show’s the Thing Trade shows were as much a topic of discussion as the economy at the IMRA Conference in March BY LEO JAKOBSON W three biggest industry hat’s happening in shows, The Motivation the coming year Show in Chicago, the Prowas very much the motional Products Associamain topic of conversation at tion International (PPAI) this year’s Incentive ManufacExpo in Las Vegas and the turers and Representatives New York Incentive, Alliance annual meeting in Rewards and Recognition March, as indeed it usually is. (NYIRR) Expo, all trekked But the unseasonably chilly out to San Diego for a weather in San Diego matched panel on the topic. a more-serious-than-usual tone Tom Edgette, of Hoffman & Edgette and Charley Mann of Pete Erickson, managing this year, as the incentive mer- Professsional Marketing Associates at the IMRA Conference director of The Motivation chandise industry faces more in last year’s Incentive Federation Show and president of show prothan a few challenges. market size study said they conducer Hall-Erickson Inc., was “It was a well-attended show,” sidered incentive programs an forthright in saying that the show says Joe Gabler, the incoming investment rather than a cost of has been in decline. Since 2001, IMRA president and president of he noted, audited attendance has Gabler Sales in Minneapolis. As doing business. “If [corporate dropped, and exhibitor numbers for the hot topics of discussion, planners] see incentive programs and booth space are down. (The he says, “Trade show changes as an investment,” Blabolil says, exception being gift card were on everybody’s mind. And, “they are more likely to keep exhibitors, which have doubled.) obviously, the economy.” them going. If they see them as a “What do we do about this One point Rick Blabolil, presicost, they will go.” In fact, decline?” Erickson asked. “What dent of incentive house MarketBlabolil says, he is already seeing we do is improve the value ing Innovators and the current this happen in the market. proposition for attendees.” Incentive Marketing Association The future of industry trade shows was a topic of enough president, focused on was that interest that the leaders of the three-quarters of the respondents continued on page 13 Incentive Quick Thinking Companies that use cash incentives tend to think short-term, according to “Private Company Incentive Pay Packages,” a recent study by WorldatWork and Vivient Consulting. Photo taken with a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H7 79 % 35 % of companies have a short-term incentive pay program of companies have a long-term incentive pay program 10 | | May 2008 | incentivemag.com http://incentivemag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Incentive - May 2008

Incentive - May 2008
Contents
Editor's Note: Turn to Incentives in Hard Times
In The News: At IMRA Conference, Trade Show Talk; In Utah, Team-Building Trauma
Cover Story: Can Incentives Save the Media Business?
Incentive Interview: Our New Columnist, Christi L. Gibson
Case Study: Architecture Firm WESKetch Builds a Recognition Plan
Incentives in a Recession: Advice on Adjusting Your Plan
Office Bullies: The Scourge of the Workplace Can Be Reined In
Original Research: Incentive Sales IQ Report
Recognition@Work: Stop Driving Your Top People Away
Incentive Primer: Ways to Foster Creativity in Your Organization
Travel News
Puerto Rico: Shining Star's Trendy Makeover
Mexico: Cancun and Cabo Still Have It
Potentials Here and Now
Luggage and Leather Goods
Gift Cards: F&B
Advertiser Index
Last Word: Stanley Bing Gives Wimpy Bosses a Nuggie

Incentive - May 2008