Industry Associations

Incentive Marketing Association

The Incentive Marketing Association advocates for and promotes the use of incentives and recognition to improve business performance. The Association is the premier resource for organizations to positively affect their bottom lines by engaging providers who deliver solutions, ideas, thought leadership, advice and innovation to successfully shift desired behaviors, improve performance, and increase employee and channel loyalty. The Association advocates on behalf of these providers, promoting the importance and value of results-based incentive and recognition programs and providing access to research advancements relating to the Incentive marketplace.

IMA is the only organization in the field representing every segment of the marketplace including: Advertising/Sales Promotion Agencies; Consultants, Distributors; Gift Card/Certificate Suppliers; Fulfillment Companies; Incentive Houses; Manufacturers; National Marketing Companies; Performance Improvement Companies; Representatives; Recognition Companies, Travel Specialists and the industry’s major trade publications and trade show managers.

The Incentive Marketing Association leads incentive professionals and the corporate community as the premier educator and information source in the incentive marketplace. By promoting the utilization of performance management and measurement tools, results-oriented solutions, the exchange of information and ideas, and high standards of professionalism, IMA advances the effective use of incentives and recognition in employee and customer programs. Learn more at www.incentivemarketing.org.

The Incentive Research Foundation

The Incentive Research Foundation (IRF), a private not-for-profit foundation, funds research studies and develops products serving all segments of the global incentive industry.  The Foundation focuses its initiatives on pragmatic research highlighting the premise and the power of incentive and motivational programs.

The Incentive Research Foundation funds and promotes research to advance the science, enhance the awareness and appropriate application of motivation and incentives in business and industry globally. The goal is to increase the understanding, effective use and resultant benefits of incentives to businesses that currently use incentives and others interested in improved performance.

Through these efforts, the IRF helps businesses to develop effective motivational and performance improvement strategies. Since its inception in 1987, the IRF has underwritten nearly 50 research projects and committed almost $2 million to these research efforts. Learn more at www.theirf.org.

Promotional Products Association International

PPAI’s Vision: To champion and advance the promotional products industry.

PPAI’s Mission: The Promotional Products Association International advocates the power and value of promotional products in the marketing and advertising professions to ensure the success of its members and the global industry.

Founded in 1903, PPAI is the world’s largest and oldest not-for-profit association serving more than 13,000 (based on 2016 figures)corporate members of the $20-plus billion promotional products industry which is comprised of more than 33,700 businesses and a workforce of more than a half million professionals. PPAI represents the industry in Washington, D.C., and advocates on its behalf. PPAI operates The PPAI Expo, the industry’s largest trade show; provides the leading promotional products safety and compliance program, a prestigious professional development and certification program; and publishes industry trade journals and periodicals. The multi-billion-dollar industry includes wearables, writing instruments, calendars, drinkware and many other items, usually imprinted with a company’s name, logo or message.

While a majority of the Association’s member firms are located in the United States, membership includes firms in Canada and throughout the world. Most member companies are suppliers and distributors of promotional products and services, including specialty advertising, business gifts, premiums, incentives, awards, prizes and commemoratives. For more information, visit PPAI.org and follow them on Twitter @PPAI_HQ, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Recognition Professionals International

Recognition Professionals International (RPI) is the only professional association at the forefront of workforce recognition through its sole focus on recognition innovations and education as a systematic method for improvements in the workplace. RPI is endorsed by top authorities in the industry, has an impressive membership of Fortune 500 organizations and is the only association offering Certified Recognition Professional (CRP) courses.

It is the mission of Recognition Professionals International to bring awareness, credibility and accountability to employee recognition through a powerful and passionate network of Recognition Professionals. As advocates for positive employee experiences that foster engagement, we share best practices, and provide tools, strategies, thought leadership, education and professional certification. Learn more about RPI here.

Society for Incentive Travel Excellence 

SITE is the only global organization dedicated to strengthening and supporting the incentive travel industry. Serving individual members and their organizations in nearly 90 countries, SITE is the only global authority connecting motivational experiences with business results. The network of SITE professionals brings best-in-class solutions, insights and global connections to maximize the business impact of motivational experiences regardless of industry, region or culture. SITE serves as the source of expertise, knowledge and personnel connections that will catapult and sustain professional growth, and help build the value of extraordinary motivational experiences worldwide.  The mission of the SITE is simple — to enhance the awareness and effectiveness of motivational experiences and incentive travel, thereby increasing use globally. SITE readily makes research available to all industry professionals through www.siteglobal.com.  As a membership organization, SITE has special memberships for students, faculty and buyers of incentive travel programs.