The 2026 IRF Trends Report highlights how incentive professionals are navigating rising costs, geopolitical uncertainty,...
The IRF, in conjunction with The Plam Beaches, gathered a group of corporate incentive program owners and third-party incentive house executives from Europe and Canada to discuss their primary influencers and drivers of incentive destination decisions.
The study explores trends in attendee preferences, factors in destination selection, and how incentive travel program design can impact employee motivation.
This report synthesizes findings from 10 in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted between August 2025 and January 2026 with channel incentive program experts across multiple industries and roles.
Appendix B outlines five practical methods for estimating the incremental impact of channel incentive programs, balancing analytical rigor with real‑world feasibility. It explains when to use matched controls, geographic holdouts, participant versus non‑participant comparisons, baseline trend projections, or randomized field experiments, and highlights the tradeoffs between accuracy, cost, and partner relationship risk. Together, these frameworks…
The following case studies illustrate how different industries have successfully designed and defended channel incentive programs. Each demonstrates specific design principles and ROI measurement approaches. Several examples come from mature programs, so avoid a “copy-paste” mindset. What works in year 15 may not work if transplanted into a new program without trust, habit, and baseline…
This report explores how incentives professionals are using AI both in the travel and non-travel incentive arenas, information about the tools and programs they find most valuable relative to incentive programs, and the gains and impacts they’re experiencing as a result.
Take a deep dive into AI capabilities, platform options, technical explanations, and a look at what lies ahead for the sophisticated use of this technology to enhance incentive and recognition programs.
The demands of a changing workforce are creating increasing demand for incentive professionals to boost engagement, build company culture, and motivate improved performance.
Merchandise, Gift Cards and Event Gifting outlook remains generally positive, but the effects of the ongoing economic and labor markets are starting to chip away at the optimism of third parties.
The study looks at which rewards resonate with employees by career phase and income group, then discusses ways programs can change and expand to maximize effectiveness.
The 2023 Incentive Travel Index (ITI) reports that, overall, the incentive travel industry is strong. Growth is projected through 2025 for both number of people participating in incentive trips as well as per-person spend.
To explore how to maximize the value of a destination, we gathered industry professionals at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City for roundtable discussions in partnership with Destination Canada.
