TABLE OF CONTENTS
JULY 2017
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Member,

Three years ago, I stepped out of a Philly summer swelter and into an IMA boot camp session hosted by a few of my soon-to-be incentive heroes - Pete Mitchell (Samsonite), Bill Martocci (Carlisle Sales), and Cindy Mielke (GiftCertificates.com). It was my very first IMA Summit. In just a few days, I had hundreds of new connections and access to education resources galore. My favorite part was the informative (read: rowdy) session on gift cards and merchandise. I entered the Summit at square one and left with a full upper hand on the industry. Thank you, IMA!

This July 24th - 26th we descend upon Orlando, Florida for the 2017 IMA Summit. Whether you are attending as a first timer or veteran, you'll discover a treasure trove of incentive nuggets to help you grow your business. The IGCC Board has much in-store. We've included the highlights in this newsletter to help you get the most out of your trip to Disney World.

The Summit is not only the cannot miss event of the year, it also marks an important time for the passing of the torch on the IGCC Board. The 2017 election ended just a few weeks ago and we will share the results at the IGCC Member Meeting on July 26th (2:45 to 4:45 pm). I am both grateful to the existing Board of Directors and excited for the impressive lineup of candidates that participated in this year's election. 

If you would have asked me three years ago if I envisioned myself serving on the IGCC Board of Directors, I would have choked on my Philly cheesesteak sandwich trying to respond. What a faraway dream it seemed! What I didn't know back then was the magic of being a part of the IGCC - brushing shoulders with talented leaders who encourage and push each other to new levels. I'm so grateful to the past presidents, resident experts, fellow board members, and incentive cheerleaders that have been a part of the IGCC journey. We are headed to the Magic Kingdom in just a few weeks but I must confess that y'all are the true magic to me!

Best,

Lindsay Gale
IGCC President
Tango Card, Inc.
Spo nsorships available for the IGCC Welcome Reception at IMA Summit - Illuminations Fireworks at EPCOT

The IGCC is hosting the Opening Reception at the IMA's Summit on Monday, July 24 at Epcot in Orlando, FL. Don't miss out on this fun night full of magic and surprises! The IGCC sponsorships are designed to give our members greater visibility and exposure at the opening reception; including opportunities to showcase your brand during the transportation to/from the event, the hosted bar, during the main event, and much more! 

There is still time to sign up for a sponsorship and to leave your mark on this great event. Contribute what you can to support the IGCC Welcome Reception, check out our sponsorship levels posted on the  IGCC website  or  Sign up for Sponsorships here !

Volunteer Opportunities at the Summit

We are excited to partner with Give Kids the World, Inc. (GKTW) as the 2017 Summit philanthropic initiative. This year, IMA Summit attendees and family members ages of 12 and up will have the opportunity to help fulfill dreams by volunteering during the Summit. There will be opportunities to volunteer at the Grand Floridian on  Tuesday, 7/25 and Wednesday, 7/26. In addition, we will be collecting donations of gift cards leading up to and throughout the Summit. 

Give Kids The World (GKTW) is a nonprofit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses. Children and their families, from around the world, have the opportunity to experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to Central Florida's attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village for as long as there is a need.

Volunteer Opportunities:
  • Tuesday, July 25 
  •  Wednesday, July 26
Onsite at Disney Floridian Hotel GKTW Decoration room - open  8:00 am-5:00 pm  for IMA members and guests to stop in and make a decoration for a variety of themed parties held for family members that stay at Give Kids the World. Advance sign up not needed. 

 

Not able to volunteer but still want to make a difference?
Please consider making a donation to turn more wishes into realities for these precious children. Give the gift of happiness and hope, because when those two things are combined, patients become kids again.
 

Help us make a difference starting today and throughout this year's IMA Summit.
DREAM BIG by sharing your goodwill and support for the GKTW campaign.
IGCC Member Meeting & Education Session Details at the Summit

Mark your calendars!

IGCC Education Session - Monday, July 24 1:00 - 3:00pm, Salon 6 
Come hear business success stories  from industry leaders as they share tips and best practices around their  B2B programs. This session will feature  the following speakers:

Benita Johnson, Meijer
Martin Hood, Cahstar
Vohara Gunaratna, Buyatab
Brian Ponce, AMEX/Hilton

IGCC Member Meeting Preview - Wednesday, July 26 2:45 - 4:45pm
Don't miss the chance to hear the full results of the 2017 IGCC/IRF B2B Gift Card Buyer Study during the IGCC member meeting. Melissa Van Dyke, President of the Incentive Research Foundation will cover learnings from the survey of B2B gift card buyers in large companies. Building on the 2014 study, the most recent results include a breakdown by gift card source to compare Retail, Online General Retailer, Brand, Agency, and Gift Card Suppliers.
Here is a brief preview of a few key findings, make sure to attend the session to hear all of the details and have an opportunity to ask questions!
  • The majority of U.S. Business choose to use gift cards as a reward tool for not one, but a number of key players: 61% of large companies are purchasing gift cards for an average of 2.4 different rewards and recognition audiences; 69% of mid-size companies are purchasing gift cards for an average of 2.8 different rewards and recognition audiences.
  • U.S. business investment in these tools is both significant and growing. On average, mid-size firms with significant enough gift card purchases to qualify for the study are spending $450,000 per year on gift cards across all programs, the largest firms are spending over $1 million. 71% of mid-size and 52% of large companies say their B-B gift card spend is increasing.
  • As a developed market with a number of buying options available, U.S. Businesses have firmly developed opinions on the types of partners from which they buy: Within the largest firms, Gift Card Suppliers receive the highest ratings on Choice, Ease, and Service, followed closely by Agencies. Brands are seen as easy to work with, but offer less Choice and Service than alternatives. Online General Merchants and Retailers are easy to work with and offer a variety of options, but lag Agencies and Gift Card Suppliers on Service. 
Free Member Benefit at Summit



IMA All SIG Match Game 2017
Wednesday, July 26 - 10:30-11:30am in Salon 6

Don't miss this year's game show, hosted by our very own Todd Roddy. This session is intended to be a fun break and provide some additional exposure to all the SIG's and members that make up our association. Celebrity panelists represent each SIG group. Prizes will be awarded to winning contestants.


Welcome Our Newest IGCC Members to our Council!

 

Aron Alexander , Founder and CEO

WeGift is a leading UK start-up, based in London with a development team in Cambridge. By using the power of real time data connectivity, WeGift is disrupting a $300 billion analogue gift card market. WeGift is enabling instant ordering and advanced analytics through a set of powerful API and ecommerce solution that makes buying and selling gift cards simple. 

Also, welcome new affiliate member:

Amber Reeves


UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS
IGCC Member News
  • Next Member Meeting at Money 20/20 (after the Summit)
    • Date: Sunday, October 22 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm
    • Location: The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV

Money20/20 will be at The Venetian Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas from October 22 - 25, 2017.

Click here to register

 

IGCC Discounted Rates at Money 20/20: 

    • Retailers, please use this code upon checkout IGCC895 to receive the discounted rate of $895
    • Non-retailers use this code IGCC250 to receive $250 off your registration.
COMPANY NEWS
  • An obscure accounting change could boost Amazon, Starbucks, Wal-Mart profits by hundreds of millions of dollars....Learn More
  • Tango Card raises $10M to shake up how companies reward employees and customers....Learn More
  • Incentive Manufacturers & Representatives Alliance Elects New Board for 2017 - 2018....Learn More

JOB POSTINGS

Submit news stories and job postings to Jennifer Fraedrich.

Submissions may be included in an upcoming newsletter or posted to the IGCC LinkedIn page.

View our profile on LinkedIn


+1 (952) 928-4649



IGCC is a Strategic Industry Group (SIG) of The Incentive Marketing Association (IMA)

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