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Purpose and the Workplace—how NXL gets it right

As you can imagine, with my role in Engagement Strategy here at Next Level, and as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF), I spend a lot of time thinking, reading, and talking about how organizations can make deeper connections with their employees, customers, and channel partners. After all, this engagement is proven to drive …

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Susan Adams: Key Insights in IRR Market Report 2024

Susan Adams, Vice President, Engagement Strategy at Next Level Performance, provided key insights into the IRR Market Report 2024 published by the Rewards Recognition Network. In full, the article compiles the insights of executives from 14 companies about the incentives, rewards, and recognition market in 2024. Susan spoke on growth in the industry in a dispersed workforce, in times of …

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Is your program ready for today’s challenges?

Thoughts on the IRF 2024 Trends Report The last few years have certainly been a time of rapid change from the pandemic to the prevalence of remote work, from inflation to industry-specific layoffs at a time of overall low unemployment. It’s enough to make your head spin! And it’s certainly enough to merit taking a fresh a look at your …

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Updating your incentive travel budget

The trend is undeniable: Demand for travel is incredibly strong. Despite rumblings of recessions and industry-specific layoffs, travel bookings have been running above pre-COVID levels and incentive travel programs are booking well into 2025 and beyond.     While many companies try to keep the cost of their incentive travel program flat year over year, steady inflation will gradually eat into the …

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Two Very Different Resorts: One Very Big Thing in Common

When it comes to experiencing a wide selection of great destinations and resorts, I’ve been pretty lucky. Recently, I’ve had two stand-out experiences: Cameron House on Loch Lomond in Scotland and The Resort at Paws Up in Montana. In support of the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF), and as a way to showcase the resort to industry leaders, properties sometimes host …

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Recognition & Incentives: What You Need to Know for 2023

No doubt about it, 2022 was a tumultuous year for businesses everywhere. Many companies strategically increased investment in recognition and incentive programs to stabilize their workforces, and to re-connect after long months of COVID separation from colleagues and clients. It wasn’t always easy, though, as market forces and a re-starting economy created challenges never encountered before – Awards? Stuck on …

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Incentive Travel in 2023

Rapid Recovery Driving Pressures and Expectations Susan Adams—Vice President of Engagement Strategy at Next Level Performance, and Chair Elect of the IRF Board of Trustees—was recently featured in the 2023 State of the Industry for Corporate & Incentive Travel Magazine. Read her assessment below. From a complete standstill to an explosion of demand, the incentive travel industry’s experience of 2022 served …

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The world is eager to travel.

As COVID-19 vaccinations continue to increase, winter weather breaks in most areas of the country, and restrictions loosen on retail capacities and personal gatherings, Americans have one thing on their mind: it’s time to travel.

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Reward Preferences: Which Rewards Really Motivate?

To succeed, an incentive program must capture the attention of participants and inspire them to do great things. Rewards are key to earning mindshare and achieving results.  I serve on the Research Committee of the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) and we recently completed the Rewards Preferences: Making a Lasting Impact on Incentive Program Participants study to understand which rewards really …

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Incentive Travel: Get Ready for a Comeback

COVID-19 vaccines are in distribution. Hotels and airlines are operating with new health and safety protocols. Destinations are opening their doors with clear guidelines. And if the gorgeous hotels and resorts filling my social media feed are any indication, there’s a great deal of pent up demand to get back on the road, or on the beach. Get ready for a comeback! Incentive travel is ramping up.

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5 Things You Should Know About Incentive Budgets Now

In a turbulent year, forecasting for recognition and incentive programs can seem challenging. The Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) has just released the Industry Outlook for 2021: Merchandise & Gift Cards study, capturing the changes of 2020 and forecasting for 2021. The outlook is indeed positive – strong financial performance in 2021 is expected by the majority of corporate program owners.