Performance Improvement Council's new white paper focuses on incentive travel, corporate social responsibility

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After several difficult years, incentive travel programs have been undergoing changes for the better, as in bettering host communities, the people who live there, and the travel participants themselves, according to a new white paper published by the Incentive Marketing Association's Performance Improvement Council (PIC) titled, "Doing What's Right: Incorporating Corporate Social Responsibility into Incentive Programs."

"Today, incentive travel and other employee recognition and reward programs are back on the upswing, but with one important component being added to many programs: the incorporation of corporate social responsibility," said Tina Weede, PIC member and president of USMotivation of Atlanta, who authored the white paper. "As this trend continues to gain worldwide acceptance, more and more companies are interested in finding ways to build 'giving back' into their incentive programs."

And, it's not just good purpose, but good business, as well, said Weede, referring to the 2012 Edelman goodpurpose® Study that found 47 percent of consumers have bought a brand monthly that supports a cause, representing a 47 percent increase from 2010. The same study also reposted a 39 percent increase in the number of consumers who "would recommend" cause-related brands. Socially-responsible incentive programs, the PIC paper notes, are especially useful in attracting and retaining more motivated employees.

The paper details several examples of successful incentive travel programs which have included activities benefiting communities, citizens, and the environment. In addition, the report contains valuable tips for travel planners to ensure that such events are expertly planned, successfully executed, and have long-lasting positive results for cause beneficiaries as well as travel participants. To learn more, download the complete paper from the Performance Improvement Council's Web site www.thepicnow.org.

About the Performance Improvement Council: The Performance Improvement Council (PIC) is a strategic industry group within the Incentive Marketing Association. It is a professional organization of performance marketing executives collectively focused on helping companies optimize their investment in human capital through proven and innovative reward and recognition solutions. More information about the PIC is available at http://www.thepicnow.org.

Business improves when employees and customers are recognized, rewarded, and engaged through effectively structured programs with defined goals and proven returns. The Incentive Marketing Association (IMA) is comprised of the companies who are leaders in the incentive industry. IMA provides education, resources and research to promote the use of incentive programs to the business community and is the umbrella organization for the Global Incentive Council (GIC), the Incentive Gift Card Council (IGCC), the Incentive Manufacturers & Representatives Alliance (IMRA), the Incentive Travel Council, the Performance Improvement Council, the Promotional Products Provider Council, the Recognition Council, IMA-Australia Council, IMA-Canada Council and IMA-Europe Council.

More information about IMA and the incentive marketplace is available at http://www.incentivemarketing.org

PRESS CONTACTS: Sue Voyles (734) 667-2005
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Karen Renk
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SOURCE Incentive Marketing Association - Performance Improvement Council