How one event agency created an incentive travel experience for their own team: what, why, where, when, & how.

What!

Yes! You heard us correctly. JR Global Events is an event management agency, and we have created an incentive retreat for OUR team.

What is an Incentive Program?  

An incentive program is the structured use of rewards and recognition to motivate desired behavior from a specific group of people. These rewards can be so many different things:  Cash rewards, a group travel experience, and high-end gifting.  It all depends upon what the reward signifies to your recipients, who your recipients are, and your desired outcomes.  No matter what the incentive offered, it's crucial to be sure to deliver on the expectations of the people receiving the recognition or reward.

Establishing the Type of Incentive:  

Whether it’s points-based merchandise rewards, group travel, gift rewards, or recognition answers the WHAT. The WHY for creating these incentive programs is that they are a strategic tool that is customizable to the unique needs of a business and the unique makeup of the audience they are trying to motivate.

Why?

Group travel is an experiential reward where participants are rewarded for surpassing their goals by being invited to a group travel event.  Incentive travel is the most memorable and emotionally impactful type of incentive.  By providing opportunities for positive shared experiences, incentive travel events create a “positive frame of recall for not just one year to the next, but for multiple years.”

JR Global Events designed an experience for our team to recognize them for their dedication and continued support these past few years during a time in our industry when there was uncertainty and upheaval.   As we strive toward 2023 with new endeavors and new team members, we set a precedent that we believe fosters loyalty, dedication, and encouragement.

After deciding WHAT type of incentive is being offered and WHY the organization is even hosting,  selecting a destination is one of the biggest decisions.  In determining that, you should include factors such as establishing a clear budget up front and ensuring that the travel incentive is repeatable.  It does not make sense to host an incentive trip for one year and then not be able to repeat it!  There is no motivation in that!   Also, determining how much out-of-office time is needed and ensuring the team can take the time away without impacting the organization is key.  Having one foot in work mode and one foot in retreat mode is difficult to balance and will likely not enable the  WHY we are doing this to be effective.  

Stay tuned for part two of our series on creating a travel incentive experience.  For more information on the JR Global Events or partnering with our team to plan your own retreat or incentive book a meeting today!