Incentive Trip Gifting 101: Your Guide to Memorable Surprises

Why?

In the corporate world, incentive trips are powerful tools for boosting morale, driving productivity, and recognizing outstanding performance. However, for these trips to truly be motivational, they need to leave a lasting impression. The experience should not only wow the winners during the trip but also continue to inspire others once they return. High-quality branded rewards play a pivotal role in this strategy by creating tangible memories and envy. These items serve as constant reminders of the achievement, sparking envy and motivating colleagues to achieve their goals for the next opportunity. This article will walk you through the ideal gifting schedule to not only wow your incentive winners but encourage the non-participants to work even harder to qualify the following year. We may even make a few suggestions along the way. So, strap in and let us lead you through the perfect gifting arrangement for an Incentive Trip.

Motivating Employee Performance

At the core, incentive trips are all about motivation. They set a perceptible goal for employees to strive towards, creating an atmosphere of healthy competition and ambition. When employees know that their efforts can lead to an extraordinary travel experience and a shower of gifts, they are more likely to increase productivity and focus. This means that motivation has to start at the very beginning…the Sales Kick Off Meeting or launch of the incentive program.

The Unveil Gift – A small, carefully chosen item designed to initiate the program and give participants a sneak peek at where they might be headed. A destination-themed gift works best for this reveal. For example, if the destination is culturally rich, consider gifting a book, local treats like candy or coffee, or artisanal goods that reflect the region’s heritage.

For a seamless experience, partnering with a local Destination Management Company (DMC) can help with sourcing these unique items. Alternatively, working with a company like Trailblazer Events, which specializes in curating, sourcing, decorating, and shipping these gifts, ensures everything is handled with ease and precision.

If your budget allows, sending small trinkets quarterly can help keep the motivation up throughout the program and encourage more participation.

• Sending periodic reminders ensures that everyone is clear on the requirements and that no one misses out on the opportunity due to lack of awareness.

• It’s a way of showing you’re there to support them and keep them on the path to qualifying, which can strengthen loyalty and motivation.

• Quarterly reminder gifts help sustain momentum. By reinforcing progress toward the trip, you can ensure employees stay committed and continue working toward the desired outcome, rather than losing steam halfway through.

• The gifts build excitement and anticipation for the trip. By keeping the incentive front-and-center, employees will have something exciting to look forward to, which helps boost morale and engagement.

At the core, incentive trips are all about motivation. They set a perceptible goal for employees to strive towards, creating an atmosphere of healthy competition and ambition. When employees know that their efforts can lead to an extraordinary travel experience and a shower of gifts, they are more likely to increase productivity and focus.

Creating a Lasting Impact

The success of an incentive trip is measured not just by its immediate effect, but by its lasting impact on employee morale and engagement. Here's where many organizations miss the mark. The trip itself is an event, but the memories and symbols of achievement it leaves behind can continue to inspire and propel employees forward long after the jet lag fades.

By providing high-quality branded items as part of the incentive trip, companies ensure that employees carry a piece of their achievement back to the workplace. These items serve as personal trophies that employees can display, wearing them to remind themselves of their success and igniting a shared sense of aspiration among their peers. When colleagues see the rewards and accolades visible on display, it instantly creates a buzz, heightening interest and participation in future incentives.

The Magic of a Winner Box

When someone qualifies for an incentive trip, presenting them with a winner box creates a memorable and exciting moment. This isn’t just any box—it’s a treasure chest filled with thoughtful items that prepare and excite travelers for their upcoming adventure. The winner box is a perfect opportunity to provide destination details, travel documents, and small gifts that will enhance their trip. Plus, items branded with the Incentive Trip logo and year serve as meaningful, tangible trophies of their achievement.

Here are some standard suggestions for a winner box:

• Custom Box - A beautifully decorated box, showcasing the destination,
  company logo, sales program theme, and the year of the trip. The box
  can be fully kitted with all the essentials and shipped anywhere in the
  World.

• Luggage Tag - Branded with the incentive trip name, year, and the
  winner's name or initials, a luggage tag makes a lasting impression
  and is guaranteed to be used on their travels.

• Hat Clip / Purse Hanger - Practical and branded, small items like a
  hat clip or magnetic purse hanger make excellent gifts for travelers.
  These items are useful during the trip and are not typically things a traveler would buy for themselves, making them both thoughtful and functional.

• Passport Wallet - A stylish passport wallet is a must-have for international travelers, keeping important documents organized and secure. Choose a design that reflects the destination, perhaps incorporating cultural motifs or local colors. Not only does it offer a sense of style, but it also makes travelers feel prepared for their adventure.

• Travel Guide or Map - A personalized travel guide or map of the destination is a wonderful gift that helps winners plan their trip and discover hidden gems. Adding a personal touch, like handwritten recommendations from your team, makes it even more special and inspiring.

• Noise-Canceling Headphones - Long flights can be noisy, and noise-canceling headphones offer a peaceful escape. These are an excellent gift for creating a more relaxing travel experience, helping winners enjoy their favorite music or movies without distractions, making their journey more enjoyable.

A winner box isn’t just about the items inside—it’s about creating an experience that makes the recipient feel celebrated and ready for the trip of a lifetime. With personalized touches and thoughtful, practical gifts, you’ll make a lasting impression that adds to the excitement of the upcoming adventure.

Welcome Winners, Welcome!

When your guests arrive, they expect the basics—a registration desk, welcome gifts, and an itinerary of events. It's a standard expectation, and trust me, they’ll be looking for it. This is the perfect opportunity for sponsors to contribute products, or for you to collaborate with partners like Trailblazer Events to select the most popular and useful swag. Think items like sunscreen, sustainable water bottles, portable fans, snacks, and other destination-specific essentials.

Registration is also an ideal moment to incorporate a flow gifting activation.
By allowing guests to choose the gift they'd like to receive, you create an
interactive and memorable experience that everyone will appreciate. Options
give them the freedom to pick something that suits their preferences—and it
guarantees they won’t leave it behind. Products that are personal work really
well as gifting experiences, like hats, sunglasses, shoes. Products that need to
be held, touched and demonstrated.

Trailblazer Events works within your budget to curate a personalized gifting
experience, starting at just $35 for as few as 10 people. We have access to
top brands, so we can create a tailored collection that fits your event perfectly,
every time.

The highlight of any event gifting experience is our Personalized Sustainable Drinkware Bar. Depending on your budget, we create a vibrant drinkware station featuring premium brands like Corkcicle, HydroFlask, Stanley, and Yeti. Guests can choose their favorite color, and we’ll laser-etch their name on it right then and there—so it's ready to use throughout the trip. No more plastic bottles! This thoughtful, sustainable touch leaves a lasting impression while helping reduce waste.

Calling it a Night…Surprise!

The illustrious room drop is a delightful surprise, discreetly delivered by hotel staff after a long day, that brings a sense of anticipation and excitement to your guests. It’s a thoughtful gesture that adds a personal touch, making participants feel truly special and appreciated.

The magic of a room drop lies in the feeling of something waiting for you—
a moment of unexpected joy that makes the value or cost of the gift irrelevant.
Whether it’s a plate of local snacks, a candle infused with the scent of the hotel
lobby, a portable speaker, or a travel accessory, the gift creates a lasting
impression. Gifts to make their stay more comfortable like slippers and eye
masks are popular. The best Room Drop I ever received was a silk pillowcase,
which I still travel with to this day.

Room drops offer the perfect opportunity for a "one-size-fits-all" gift, typically
branded with the company or trip logo. Since the gifts are delivered by hotel
staff, it’s often best to keep them neutral, but personalization can elevate the experience. Tailoring the gift to the day’s activities—such as essential oils from the hotel spa or a leather ditty bag from the golf course—adds a thoughtful touch that exceeds any expectations, making the experience even more memorable for your guests.

Farewell…Until Next Year

The departure gift is the final impression you leave with your guests—a reflection of their accomplishments, the trip experience, and a symbol of future rewards to be earned. Typically, this gift is something that makes the journey home more convenient, like an extra tote bag or carry-on luggage. However, I believe it should also be something that can be proudly showcased in front of others, such as branded apparel, stylish portfolios, or practical organizational tools.

Customized items shipped after the event serve as lasting reminders of the rewards earned through hard work. These gifts create a new moment of excitement and unveiling, motivating recipients to requalify for future incentives. Plus, they’re often envy-inducing to others, reinforcing the value of the experience and fueling friendly competition.

Wrap It Up

In today's competitive business environment, the need to keep employees motivated and engaged cannot be overstated. Motivation thrives in an environment where rewards are celebrated and admired. When executed correctly, incentive trips do more than just offer a getaway; they foster a deep, lasting connection between the organization and its employees. Turning your incentive trip extras into objects of envy can drive unparalleled motivation across the team. By providing high-quality branded items as part of the incentive trip, companies ensure that employees carry a piece of their achievement back to the workplace. These items serve as personal trophies that employees can display, wearing them to remind themselves of their success and igniting a shared sense of aspiration among their peers. When colleagues see the rewards and accolades visible on display, it instantly creates a buzz, heightening interest and participation in future incentives. By investing in quality, you’re investing in the motivation that drives success.

Let us help you transform your incentive trip into a winning strategy that encourages excellence and future participation.