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Industry Outlook for 2019Merchandise, Gift Card, and Event Gifting
November 2018
Survey Overview
53%
10%
37%
Corporate (e.g., Buyer, Planner, Sales, HR)
Supplier (e.g. Hotel, Airline, DMC, Merch)
Third Party (e.g., Incentive Company, Travel Agency, Consultant)
@ Industry professionals invited to participate in survey by:• IRF List
• IESP/IMA List
• Maui Jim
• Independent Research Panel
498 participated
The Incentive Research
Foundation (IRF) sponsors
regular trends surveys covering
topics of current interest to
those in the incentive industry.
Incentive providers, suppliers to
the industry, and corporate
incentive merchandise and
travel buyers.
This report summarizes
findings from data collected
August 2018 through October
2018.
2
Methodology Considerations
theIRF.org 3
No weighting is done on the data to
control for variances in response counts
across the three stakeholder groups –
Corporate, Supplier, and Third-Party.
Totals reported are simple totals across all
survey respondents.
The current IRF Outlook survey was
distributed to several industry databases,
including those of the IRF, the IMA, and
Maui Jim. Additionally an independent
research panel was utilized for additional
respondents. Results predominantly
represent the outlook of industry
professionals for the U.S. market
Audience Weighting
Non-cash Reward & Recognition: Merchandise/Gift Cards
theIRF.org 4
84% 86%
75% 73%77%
81%
93%
74%
61%
68%74% 75%
85% 85% 83%
57%
87% 89%84%
47%64%
31%
40% 39%43%
64%
42% 41%44%
49%
45%
18% 38%
24%20%
34% 32%
43%45%
75%
63%
52%
61% 64%69%
64%
49%44%
48%
56% 59%
51% 52%
24%
34%41%
55%55%62%
40%
9%
26%
29%35%
68% 54%
70%
Sep-08 Oct-08 Mar-09 Jul-09 Nov-09 May-10 Oct-10 May-11 Oct-11 Mar-12 Sep-12 Apr-13 Nov-13 May-14 Aug-14 Aug-15 Oct-16 Jul-17 Oct-18
My company's financial forecast influences the design and implementation of incentive programs
Our competitors' programs directly impact the design of our incentive program(s).
Perception of the public significantly influences the design of our incentive program(s). *
Perception of internal (non-incentive) stakeholders significantly influences the design of our incentive program(s).
Considerations for Non-Cash Program Design
Please indicate the level of your agreement or disagreement with the following statements as they relate to your most recent incentive program.
Base: Corporate respondents
Internal factors, such as financial forecast and opinions held by indirect stakeholders, are much stronger considerations for program managers
than external factors, such as public perception and competitive activity.
Net Optimism – Impact of Economy on Programs
43% Fall 2018 Optimism Index
21% Percentage Points from Summer 2017
6
Incentive merchandise and gift card
programs are expected to continue
enjoying positive benefits from the
economy, as the degree of optimism
increased considerably over the past year.
In the coming year, what impact will the factors below have on your/your clients’ non-cash reward and recognition
program planning and execution: The economy
-8%
19%22%
17%
1%
36%
28%
42% 43%
36%40%
35%
14%
22%
43%
Sep
-09
Mar-
10
Sep
-10
Mar-
11
Sep
-11
Mar-
12
Sep
-12
Mar-
13
Sep
-13
Mar-
14
Sep
-14
Mar-
15
Sep
-15
Mar-
16
Sep
-16
Mar-
17
Sep
-17
Mar-
18
Sep
-18
Net Optimism
Net Optimism by Audience
7
Corporate optimism regarding the impact
of the economy on incentives programs
overtakes that of suppliers and third-party
providers in 2018, but there is a consistent
positive outlook among all industry
audiences.
Suppliers and third-party providers
anticipate that the regulatory environment
will have a negative impact on the
incentives industry, while corporate
respondents are more optimistic.
In the coming year, what impact will the factors below have on your/your clients’ non-cash reward and recognition program planning and execution?
43%
13%
47%
25%
38%
-12%
37%
-3%
ECONOMY REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
Total Corporate Supplier Third Party
Net Optimism Compared to Prior Year by Audience
The incentive merchandise/gift card
industry is notably concerned about
the regulatory environment. All
segments expect negative impacts
to their incentive merchandise
programs. All segments have a
more optimistic outlook regarding
the economy and the regulatory
environment compared to last year.
8
In the coming year, what impact will the factors below have on your/your clients’ incentive merchandise and gift card programs?
13%
25%
-12%-3%
-21%-30%
-18%-24%
-18%-7%
-25%-19%
TOTAL CORPORATE SUPPLIER THIRD PARTY
Regulatory Environment
43% 47%38% 37%
22%
-21%
20%
34%
14%
0%
35%
13%
Fall 2018 Summer 2017 Fall 2016
Economy
8%
2% 3%
15%
4%
13%
20%23%
25%
12% 13%11%
17%
24%
19%
12%
16% 17%
6%
17%
10%10%
0% 1%
FALL 2018 SUMMER 2017 FALL 2016
$1-$50 $51-$100 $101-$200 $201-250 $251-$500 $501-$1,000 $1,001-$5,000 Over $5,000
Average Per-Person Spend – Non-cash Reward & Recognition Programs
Average = $824 $563
9
The average per-person spend for
Fall 2018 is $824, a considerable
increase from prior years. This is
largely explained by the increase in
respondents spending over $5,000.
A large proportion of respondents
are spending $250 or less – nearly
60% in 2018.
$1-$250 = 57% 53%
What is the average per-person rewards spend for your/your clients’ non-cash reward and recognition programs?
$522
42%
Merchandise Prevalence by Audience
10
Logo’d brand-name
merchandise and electronics
are the most common
rewards with corporate
respondents, while
sunglasses and electronics
are the most popular among
third-party providers.
What types of merchandise and gift cards are used within your/your clients’ reward and recognition program(s)? Check all that apply.
11%
20%
48%
48%
70%
51%
50%
69%
52%
70%
89%
77%
88%
80%
4%
13%
15%
32%
21%
43%
45%
36%
52%
48%
46%
59%
63%
75%
7%
16%
28%
39%
41%
46%
47%
49%
52%
57%
63%
66%
73%
77%
Other (please describe)
Flowers
Housewares
Local handmade goods or crafts
Luggage
Office accessories
Plaques/Trophies
Watches/Jewelry
Food gifts (e.g. fruit baskets, Omaha Steaks -…
Sporting/Golf Items
Sunglasses
Clothing/Apparel
Electronics
Logo'd brand-name merchandise
Total
Corporate
Third Party
Average Value of Merchandise Reward
1% 1%
6%
18%
24%
16%
11%9%
4%1% 2%
4%2%
$10 $15 $25 $50 $100 $150 $200 $250 $300 $350 $400 $500 More than
$500
(please
indicate
average
value)
Average = $160
$1-$100 = 51%
The most common dollar
value of a merchandise
reward is $100 – half of
respondents indicate the
typical reward is $100 or
less. Due to some
respondents who spend
more, the average is
somewhat higher - $160.
What is the dollar value of the typical merchandise reward used in your/your clients’ programs?
Usage by Gift Card Type
73%76% 30% 24%
OPEN LOOP BRAND-SPECIFIC RESTRICTED USE VOUCHER
Consistent with other industry studies, this year’s Outlook survey finds high utilization of both open and brand-specific cards, while restricted-use
cards and gift card vouchers continue to gain wider acceptance.
See notes for detailed descriptions used in survey.
Brand-Specific Merchant Types
5%
16%
20%
26%
29%
30%
32%
33%
34%
36%
40%
40%
41%
41%
43%
47%
57%
60%
74%
Other
Drugstore
Grocery
Accessories & Jewelry
Bookstores
Beauty
Travel
Clothing/ Apparel
Gas
Sunglasses
Sporting Goods
Home Improvement
Department Stores
Music/Movies
Electronics
General "Big Box" Stores
Exclusively-Online Retailers
Dining
Coffee
Which of the options below best describes the types of merchants selected when your company buys BRANDED gift cards for your
non-cash rewards programs?
Gift cards for use at coffee houses
dominate the branded card
landscape, followed by dining and
online retailer gift cards.
Average Gift Card Denomination
What is the average gift card denomination/value used in your/your client programs?
2% 2%
22%
26%28%
5% 6%3%
1% 0%
3%1%
$10 $15 $25 $50 $100 $150 $200 $250 $350 $400 $500 More
than
$500
Average = $100
$1-$100 = 79%
The most common denominations
for gift card rewards are $25, $50,
and $100 – three quarters of
respondents are using one of those
values most commonly. Due to the
impact of some respondents who
utilize high-value denominations,
the average gift card value is $100.
Local Retail Sourcing for Gift Cards
Does anyone in your organization ever purchase directly from local retailers (such as Target, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, or a supermarket) gift cards for the purpose of giving to employees as non-cash rewards?
69%
Purchasing at Retail
Corporate respondents were asked
if people in their organization are
visiting local retailers to purchase
gift cards for use as employee
reward and recognition. More than
two-thirds indicate this is occurring
in their organization.
Non-cash Program Design
82%
16
A majority of corporate respondents use goals
or objectives to determine non-cash reward
earnings.
40%
Forty percent of corporate respondents are
using points systems as the mechanism for
issuing rewards.
Do you typically use achievement of specific goals/objectives to determine reward payouts?
Do you typically use rewards points as the means of issuing, tracking, and redeeming for rewards?
Goal-based Rewards Reward Points
Outlook for Rewards Budgets – Net Increase
17
There is agreement and strong
optimism regarding the fate of
non-cash reward and
recognition budgets in 2019.
Net increases are expected by
all segments across all
spending categories, with
corporate respondents some of
the most positive.
There is also a shared
expectation that the number of
participants earning rewards
will increase.
In the coming year, do your/your clients generally anticipate the following program elements will increase, decrease, or remain unchanged?
38%
29%27%
40%
30%
17%
38%
42%
33%
30%
41%
31%
24%
40%
27%
17%
21%
30%
40%
17%
37%
34%
22% 22%
38%
29%
9%
35%
Overall budgets
for reward and
recognition
programs
Merchandise
spend
Gift Card Spend Budget for
program
technology (e.g.
platform, mobile
apps, etc.)
Communications
budget
Administration
budget
Number of
participants
earning a reward
Total Corporate Supplier Third Party
Outlook for Rewards Partners – Net Increase
18
There is an expectation across all
audiences, especially so for suppliers, that
the involvement of procurement or
purchasing will increase in 2019.
Corporate stakeholders have a more
moderate expectation regarding increased
involvement and fees from third party
providers.
In the coming year, do your/your clients generally anticipate the following program elements will increase, decrease, or remain unchanged?
28%
11%9%
25%
60%
25%
Third-party planner/
incentive company
involvement
Third-party planner/
incentive company fees
Involvement of
procurement/purchasing
Total Corporate Supplier Third Party
Net Increase in Use of Rewards by Audience
19
Expectations for increased use of non-
cash rewards are strong across all
reward types. Corporate audiences
have the highest expectations for
increased use of gift cards, while
suppliers and third-party providers
also expect experiential reward use to
increase considerably.
In the coming year, do you generally anticipate your/your clients’ use of the following reward types will increase, decrease, or remain unchanged?
38%
28% 28%
43%
33%
24%
30%
20%
38%
30%
20%
34%
Gift Cards Merchandise Experiential rewards
(spa, event tickets, etc.)
Total Corporate Supplier Third-Party
Programs Include Non-U.S. Participants
51%
35%
79%
71%
Total
Corporate
Supplier
Third Party
MERCH
20
12%
18%
21%
24%
30%
32%
39%
46%
56%
69%
Africa
Middle East
Central America
Caribbean
South America
Australia or New Zealand
Asia
Mexico
Europe
CanadaOne half of the incentives
industry includes
international participants in
the non-cash rewards
programs they operate. On
the corporate side, a little
more than one third have an
international audience.
Canada, Europe, and Mexico
are the most common
regions, with Asia,
Australia/New Zealand, and
South America also
prevalent.
All regions are at least
somewhat represented in
the industry.
Do your/your clients’ reward and recognition programs include participants outside of the U.S.?
Please indicate which geographic regions your/your clients’ non-U.S. participants are in. Check all that apply.
IF YES,
WHERE?
Use of Partners (Direct Working Relationship)
21
Corporate buyers are often working directly
with brands for either merchandise or gift
cards. Incentive houses and gift card
resellers each represent about a quarter of
corporate buyers.
For your non-cash reward and recognition programs, do you work directly with…
Base: Corporate buyers
23%
42%
37%
24%
Incentive house,
marketing agency,
consulting firm
Merchandise brand (e.g.
TUMI, Maui Jim, Bose, etc.)
Gift card brand
(e.g.Starbucks, Bed Bath &
Beyond, Home Depot)
Gift card reseller (sells
multiple brands of cards)
General Program Outlook
theIRF.org 22
Program Enhancements
23
About 4 in 10 corporate buyers are
using a recognition platform as
part of their non-cash program,
and a little more than a quarter
are using a mobile app to support
that program. Suppliers and third
parties, working across a broad
client base, are more likely to see
programs that are using these
enhancements.
Are you/your clients using any of the following as part of your non-cash reward and recognition programs(s)? Check all that apply.
8%
11%
14%
37%
32%
35%
42%
59%
51%
60%
15%
23%
15%
35%
35%
19%
31%
50%
31%
54%
6%
8%
13%
14%
28%
33%
34%
28%
43%
41%
8%
10%
13%
24%
30%
32%
37%
41%
45%
49%
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
DON'T KNOW/DOESN'T APPLY
INTEGRATION WITH HCM PLATFORM (SUCCESSFACTORS, WORKDAY, ETC.)
GAMING OR GAMIFICATION TECHNIQUES
INTEGRATION WITH SALES MANAGEMENT TOOLS (SALESFORCE.COM, ETC.)
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY COMPONENTS
SOCIAL MEDIA TO COMMUNICATE PROGRAM BEFORE/DURING/AFTER
MOBILE APP
SOCIAL RECOGNITION
RECOGNITION PLATFORM
Total
Corporate
Supplier
Third Party
Typical Length of Program
theIRF.org 24
The most common
length of an incentive
travel or merchandise
program is 12 months.
Other prevalent lengths
are 3- and 6-months, as
well as perpetual
programs.
What is the typical program length for your/your clients’ non-cash reward and recognition program(s)?
3% 3%6%
17%14%
2%
33%
1%
13%
8%
Less than 1
month
1 month 2 months 3 months 6 months 9 months 12 months 18 months Ongoing Don't
know/doesn't
apply
Reporting & Analysis - Types
27%24% 25%
5%
53%59%
67%
54%
4%
26%
We look at
participation reports
to understand who is
using the program
We look at
earning/redemption
reports to see how
participants are
earning rewards and
what they are
redeeming for
We conduct analysis
to look at how the
program(s) are
changing behaviors
Something else We don't use
reporting and/or
analysis for our
program
Corporate Third Party
Thinking about reporting and analysis for [Field-whose] programs, which of the following are used: (Select all that apply.)
One half of corporate
respondents indicate they do not
do any reporting or analysis for
their non-cash program. Third-
party providers are commonly
reviewing earning and
redemption reports, participation
reports, and behavior-change
analysis.
Reporting & Analysis - Usage
63%
45%
22%
8%
1%
81%
69%
27%
1% 1%
We use program
results/analysis to
make adjustments to
program design
We use program
results/analysis to
determine
investments for the
next program period
It's generally an "fyi" -
interesting to discuss
but may not drive
changes in design or
investments
We don't use analysis
of program results
Other
Corporate Third Party
How is the analysis of program results typically used? (Select all that apply.)
When analysis is
done, it is most-
commonly used to
make adjustments to
program design and
to determine future
program
investments.
Program Metrics - Activity
8%
54%
41%
42%
66%
74%
71%
57%
87%
3%
22%
32%
42%
45%
47%
47%
57%
57%
Other
Number of hits on program website
Number of e-cards sent
High level of sponsorship by managers
General "buzz" among program participants
Number of rewards earned
Executive team is pleased
Number of recognitions given
High level of participation by target audience
Corporate
Third Party
Below are some activity metrics which might be measured by a program owner. Which of the below is information that you have used to assess your program's success?
Select all that apply.
Third-party providers most
commonly use participation
to demonstrate program
success, and are also likely
to point to executive
satisfaction, rewards earned,
and participant energy as
success factors.
Corporate managers are
most likely to be assessing
participation and number of
recognitions given.
Program Metrics - Outcomes
3%
20%
41%
33%
63%
60%
67%
74%
57%
76%
69%
2%
14%
20%
21%
33%
49%
49%
50%
50%
58%
59%
Other
Number of safety incidents
Customer acquisition rates
Market share
Survey specifically measuring satisfaction with program
Revenue improvement
Overall product sales growth
Overall sales lift/growth
Employee retention
Employee engagement/satisfaction results (from survey)
Customer satisfaction
Corporate
Third Party
Below are some outcomes which might be measured by a program owner. Which of the below is information that you have used to assess your program's success?
Select all that apply.
For corporate
audiences, customer
satisfaction and
employee
engagement survey
results are the most
prevalent outcomes
assessed, while third-
party providers also
look to overall sales
lift/growth as an
indicator.
Activity Metrics – Leading Indicators
1%
46%
26%
54%
41%
93%
3%
23%
26%
32%
49%
75%
Other
Training test/quiz scores
Presentee/absentee rates
Training participation
Increase in CSR productivity (calls resolved, calls per
hour, average call time, etc.)
Increase in sales productivity (number of sales calls,
new leads, etc.)
Corporate
Third Party
Sales productivity is used by a
majority of respondents, both
corporate and third party, to
establish the impact of a program.
Below are some leading indicators which might be measured by a program owner. Which of the below is information that you have used to assess your program's success?
Select all that apply.
Cancelled a Program Past 12 Mos.
30
Most corporate respondents have not
cancelled a program in the past year. Nearly
one-third of supplier and a quarter of third-
party providers have had a client cancel a
program in that time period.
In the past year, have you/your clients discontinued any merchandise/gift card program(s)?
18%13%
31%25%
69% 81% 46%53%
13%6%
23% 22%
Total Corporate Supplier Third Party
Yes No Don't know/doesn't apply
Top Reason Program Discontinued
31
Programs are canceled for a variety
of reasons. On the corporate side,
respondents point to a lack of
results, along with participant
feedback and lost executive support.
Third-party providers feel that lack of
executive support and budget are
the key factors in programs
discontinuing.
*Supplier sample size too small to
report on.
What is the top reason for discontinuing the program?
7%
0%
3%
7%
13%
33%
37%
4%
15%
22%
11%
22%
11%
15%
2%
5%
6%
11%
11%
15%
25%
26%
DON'T KNOW/ DOESN'T APPLY
COMPLIANCE/HR/LEGAL CONCERNS
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC PARTICIPANT FEEDBACK (SURVEYS,
FOCUS GROUPS, ETC.)
LACK OF RESULTS
PROGRAM ACHIEVED OBJECTIVES AND IS NO LONGER
NEEDED
OTHER
NO BUDGET
LOST EXECUTIVE SUPPORT
Total Corporate Third Party
Overall Outlook
32
GENERAL
Industry stakeholders have very
strong expectations for the
financial performance of their own
organizations in the coming year.
The outlook for the U.S. economy
is also strong.
The regulatory environment makes
it challenging to be knowledgeable
about requirements that impact
their incentives programs.
Looking ahead to the next year, to what extent do you agree with the statements below?
50%
39%
59%
71%
31%
71%
58%
63%
67%
88%
47%
47%
53%
71%
83%
50%
45%
56%
70%
84%
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS ARE MAKING IT MORE
DIFFICULT TO DESIGN REWARD AND RECOGNITION
PROGRAMS.
THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT MAKES IT DIFFICULT
TO QUICKLY LAUNCH OR MAKE CHANGES TO
PROGRAMS.
IT IS DIFFICULT TO STAY INFORMED ABOUT ALL OF THE
FEDERAL, STATE, AND INDUSTRY REGULATIONS THAT
IMPACT OUR PROGRAMS.
U.S. ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IS STRONG.
MY COMPANY WILL HAVE STRONG FINANCIAL
PERFORMANCE NEXT YEAR.
Total Corporate Supplier Third Party
Event Gifting
theIRF.org 33
14%
30%
41%
35%
53%
59%
86%
40%
40%
67%
53%
80%
87%
80%
20%
25%
34%
52%
47%
52%
60%
19%
28%
38%
46%
51%
56%
70%
Advisory boards
Product launches
Senior leadership/board meetings
Internal meetings
Conferences and tradeshows
Customer events
Incentive trips
Total
Corporate
Supplier
Third Party
Event Gifting – Meeting Types
For what types of meetings and events are you/your clients using attendee gifts? Select all that apply.
While suppliers see
event gifting across a
broad range of
meeting types,
corporate audiences
are most likely to be
using gifts for
incentive trips,
internal meetings, and
customer events.
Event Gifting – Gift Types
63%
52%
80%
80%
33%
47%
67%
67%
43%
60%
47%
66%
49%
56%
59%
71%
Locally-relevant goods and crafts (e.g., scarves or jewelry
made by local crafters)
Food and beverage crafted locally (e.g., wines, honey,
spices, coffee)
Items custom-made or fitted on-site (e.g., Maui Jim
sunglasses, custom-fitted jeans, shoes, gloves, hats,
photos etc.)
Nationally-recognized branded merchandise (e.g.
Movado, TUMI)
Total
Corporate
Supplier
Third Party
Which of the below do you/your clients use as part of your/your clients’ meeting/event gifting? Select all that apply.
Branded
merchandise with
national recognition
is the most common
gift used by
corporate audiences,
followed by locally-
crafted foods. Third-
party providers and
suppliers are most
likely to be including
custom-fitted gifts in
their client events.
Event Gifting – Gift Types
45%
35%
26%24%
1%
41%37%
27% 26%
1%
58%
42%
8% 8%
0%
53%
30%
25%
20%
0%
No Yes, through
sponsorship fees
Yes, through
merchandise donations
Yes, through discounts Yes - other
Total
Corporate
Supplier
Third Party
Do sponsors cover some of the cost of your/your clients’ event gifts?
Sixty percent of
corporate buyers say the
cost of gifts is offset by
sponsors, most usually
through sponsorship
fees, although about a
quarter receive
merchandise donations
or discounts.
Event Gifting – Gift Sources
3%
14%
22%
23%
25%
37%
40%
51%
51%
54%
Other
Incentive house partner
Destination management company
Meetings/events services partner
Event sponsor
Merchant or crafter local to the event
Incentive merchandise rep
Online retailer (e.g. Amazon, Overstock)
Corporate sales (such as Bose, TUMI, Maui Jim)
National retailer (e.g., go to local Target)
Corporate
From which of the sources below do you purchase event gifts?
There is a high
incidence of
corporate buyers
using retailers to
source their event
gifts, although
corporate sales
teams are used by
about half of
respondents.
*Lists used to source
survey responses
likely skews these
findings.
Event Gift Distribution
68%64%
52%
43%
4%
65%
55%
47%
35%
3%
71%
64% 64%
57%
0%
72%
80%
59% 57%
7%
We place gifts in
"swag bags" that are
distributed at the
registration desk
We place "room
gifts" in attendees' or
speakers' hotel
rooms
Gifts are incorporated
into an activity
We have a
"marketplace" where
attendees can select
their preferred gifts
Other
Total
Corporate
Supplier
Third Party
Which of the following describe(s) how you/your clients distribute event gifts?
Event gifts are most
commonly
distributed at the
registration desk.
About a third of
corporate audiences
have incorporated a
gifting “marketplace”
experience into their
event.
Average Per-Attendee Gifting Spend
What is your approximate per-person spend for event gifts? - For attendees.
30%
22%
32%
12%
3%2%
$10 - $50 $51 - $100 $101 - $250 $251 - $500 $501 - $1,000 $1,001 or more
Average = $210
Median = $100
Attendee gift spend is
most commonly around
$100, but many
respondents are spending
$10 to $50 per attendee.
A small proportion are
making significant
investments in attendee
gifts – these are most
likely for small events for
key clients or high-
performing salespeople.
Average Per-Speaker Gifting Spend
What is your approximate per-person spend for event gifts? - For speakers.
17%
28% 29%
19%
4%2%
$10 - $50 $51 - $100 $101 - $250 $251 - $500 $501 - $1,000 $1,001 or more
Average = $270
Median = $150
The median per-
speaker spend is
$150, although some
are spending
considerably more.
Average Per-VIP Gifting Spend
What is your approximate per-person spend for event gifts? – For VIPs.
12%
21%
32%
21%
8%
5%
$10 - $50 $51 - $100 $101 - $250 $251 - $500 $501 - $1,000 $1,001 or more
Average = $375
Median = $200
VIP attendees
command a higher
spend rate than
attendees – on
average $375.
Priorities When Selecting Event Gifts
3%
21%
13%
27%
23%
45%
60%
0%
14%
21%
29%
29%
50%
50%
14%
19%
22%
24%
32%
36%
45%
10%
19%
19%
25%
29%
40%
50%
Sponsored gift
On-topic for event
Direction given by leadership
Memorability
Meaningful
Attendee delight
Budget
Total
Corporate
Supplier
Third Party
What are your/your clients' priorities when selecting event gifts? Percent of respondents placing priority in top 2 most important.
For corporate buyers,
the top
considerations when
selecting event gifts
are budget, attendee
delight, and
meaningful gifts.
Suppliers and third-
parties emphasize
budget and attendee
delight considerably
more than corporate
buyers do.
Event Gifting Budgets - Net Increasing for 2019
34%38% 54% 42%
TOTAL CORPORATE SUPPLIER THIRD PARTY
Which of the below best describes your expectations for event gifting budgets for 2019?
All segments anticipate event gifting budgets to increase in 2019, although suppliers and third-party providers have a more optimistic outlook
than their clients.
Net Optimism by Audience
44
The overall outlook for the coming year is
positive for professionals charged with event
gifting. Corporate respondents have a net
optimism of 39%, and suppliers are even
more optimistic as a group.
The regulatory environment does create a
cautious outlook for the marketplace,
particularly among event gift suppliers.
In the coming year, what impact will the factors below have on your/your clients’ event gifting?
36%
7%
39%
12%
50%
-14%
31%
1%
ECONOMY REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
Total Corporate Supplier Third Party
Thank you to the following organizations for their support of this research:
• Incentive & Engagement Solution Providers (IESP), a strategic industry group of the Incentive Marketing Association – Research Advocacy Partner & survey distribution
• Maui Jim – survey distribution