The 2026 IRF Trends Report highlights how incentive professionals are navigating rising costs, geopolitical uncertainty,...
Research / IRF Webinar: IRF Industry Outlook for 2021: Merchandise and Gift Cards
by Incentive Research Foundation
The Incentive Research Foundation’s Industry Outlook for 2021: Merchandise and Gift Cards reports a more optimistic outlook for 2021 than might be expected after the challenges resulting from the pandemic. View the IRF’s Industry Outlook for 2021 webinar, where IRF President Stephanie Harris and IRF Chief Research Adviser Rick Garlick present this useful analysis of how incentive, rewards and recognition programs are being designed and budgeted for 2021. Viewers will get useful insights and benchmarks on non-cash reward types, average spend, and how incentive programs have changed in response to the pandemic.
The release of the IRF’s Industry Outlook for 2021: Merchandise and Gift Cards was supported by IRF Research Advocacy Partner, Bonusly.
This Academic Research in Action explores how cognitive biases shape the effectiveness of incentive and recognition programs. It highlights why well‑intentioned designs often fall short and emphasizes the need for behaviorally informed approaches that account for how people actually interpret rewards.
The incentives industry is entering 2026 amid persistent cost pressures, geopolitical uncertainty, and evolving participant expectations. At the same time, we are seeing optimism in both North America and Europe as organizations embrace the power of incentives to engage and motivate their workforce. During this IRF webinar, our panel will discuss what lies ahead for the incentives industry as reported in…
