The 2026 IRF Trends Report highlights how incentive professionals are navigating rising costs, geopolitical uncertainty,...
Research / IRF 2025 Education Invitational Breakout Session: Engaging Multiple Generations
by Incentive Research Foundation
The workforce is getting younger, and we are seeing major shifts in values, behaviors, priorities, and preferences among these newer employees. Incentive travel professionals are rethinking every element of program design, including destination selection, registration, food and beverage, session length, gifting, and more. Our panel discussed the changes they are integrating into program design to match the preferences of these younger attendees while still engaging the “experienced” attendees. The session then shifted to an interactive format where attendees shared their design strategies. Members of the Accelerate Class of 2025 were present, offering their perspectives as rising leaders during the discussions.
Panelists:
Ashley Bohnenkamp, Senior Manager – Event Solutions, ITA Group
Simone Clark, Senior Solutions Specialist, FedEx
Joe Fijol, Founder and Principal, Ethos Event Collective
Sibley Guilianelli, Program Manager, Creative Group
This breakout session from the 2025 IRF Education Invitational examined global trends in incentive travel preferences and destination selection, using IRF research to highlight how program design can motivate employees across regions like North America, the UK/Ireland, and Europe.
This breakout session from the 2025 IRF Education Invitational featured a candid discussion on how incentive professionals are overcoming challenges like flat budgets, rising costs, and staffing issues to continue delivering high-impact programs.
