Meet the 2023 Motivation Masters Awards Winners

Best Reward-Travel Experience

ITA Group and Ecolab

Ecolab’s 2023 Winners’ Circle program in Singapore was five years in the making, resulting in a spectacular four-day, three-night reward trip for 320 qualifiers, guests and company executives, representing 37 countries. The one-of-a-kind program, created by repeat Motivation Masters winner ITA Group, showcased fascinating facets of the island nation known for legendary food, colorful festivals, exquisite architecture and a thriving arts scene.

The program, as well as the selection of Singapore, had several purposes beyond simply rewarding winners. Ecolab used the occasion to recognize its Asia-Pacific teams, whose headquarters are in the city-state. The destination also aligns with Ecolab brand values and sustainability goals.

Adding to the opportunity was the fact that Singapore was one of the last destinations to reopen to visitors when Covid travel restrictions were lifted. The participants experienced the city-state in a way they could not replicate on their own: Guests were accommodated in harbor-view rooms at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, each with a perfect view of the company’s harbor light show.

Among the tantalizing list of activities guests could choose from were a market-to-table cooking class; an exclusive elephant-feeding experience at the Singapore Zoo; a Chinatown tour with bumboat ride across Singapore’s harbor (a bumboat brings provisions for sale to larger ships); a ride on the Singapore Flyer wheel with lunch on the rooftop of the Marina Bay Sands; a master class in making Singapore Slings at the Raffles Hotel Singapore; and a sustainability- themed city tour and dinner with the Ecolab leaders of their choice at one of Singapore’s world-class restaurants.

The program, which also marked Ecolab’s 100-year anniversary, concluded with a “garden gala” featuring a custom light show at Gardens by the Bay — during which the venue’s Supertrees sported the company’s brand colors.

One participant’s post-event comments summed up the general excitement and gratitude around this magical program: “I work for the coolest company on the planet. And I’ll work as hard as I have to, to do something this cool next year.” 

Best Employee Incentive Program

HPN Global

HPN Global’s revenues were pushed to new heights thanks to this retooled President’s Club incentive, which rewarded winners not with a North American beach stay, as in previous years, but with the promise of a trip to a farther-flung international destination. In this case, qualifiers were treated to a five-day trip to Ireland that spotlighted the charms of  Limerick, Killarney and Dublin.

As a result of the new format and reward, the participants’ revenue total more than doubled, from the previous average total of $50 million to more than $105 million. The average per-person revenue skyrocketed to $8 million, from the former average of $3 million to $5 million.

“We were expecting to see increased sales, but we were blown out of the water by these numbers,” explains Kip Horton, HPN’s senior vice president of talent support and strategy. He attributes much of the jump to the excitement and hype of the European trip.

The Irish adventure included stays at three upscale properties: the Hotel Savoy Limerick, the Europe Hotel & Resort in Killarney, and the Hard Rock Hotel Dublin. Participants and their guests could choose free time on their own or partake in activities such as an e-bike or traditional jaunting-car tour of the gorgeous Gap of Dunloe; or a tour of Windmill Lane Recording Studios, where artists such as U2, Kate Bush, Van Morrison and The Cranberries recorded albums. The program was topped off with a final dinner at Dublin’s spectacular Christ Church.

The incentive’s success extended far beyond the increased revenues. According to Horton, video from the trip is now used as a recruiting tool to attract new associates. And based on the positive feedback about the international sojourn, the company will hold its next program in Cartagena, Colombia, before heading back to Europe in 2025. Just halfway through 2023, the company already was seeing a 50 percent jump in sales over last year’s numbers. 

Best Channel/Dealer Incentive Program

Loews Hotels

Incentive programs needn’t target hundreds or thousands of third-party sellers to make a big impact. The fun-sized program that Loews Hotels tailor-made for its third-party partner, ConferenceDirect, stands out for its simple goals, impressive results and a truly unique reward that was designed to bring back the joys of youth. Thirteen lucky people were the winners. The goal of the program was to increase the meetings business ConferenceDirect was booking for Loews.

Realizing the participants were a well-traveled group, the Loews team created a relaxed, one-of-a-kind experience that hearkened back to summer camp — but with an upscale twist. “Camp CD” took place at AutoCamp Russian River in California's Sonoma County, where the winners were housed with their guests in state-of-the-art Airstream RVs. The participants were showered with amenities, like personalized Loews bathrobes and water flasks; Sonoma wine, including a bottle of Domaine de Riviere that teased one evening’s dinner in the winemaker’s private home; gourmet charcuterie boards; and practical accessories, such as bug spray and Camp CD hats.

During the three-day adventure, the campers enjoyed exquisite catered meals and bonded during group hikes, private wine tastings, cheese-making classes and, of course, arts-and-crafts sessions. Evening agendas included sing-alongs around the campfire, games and chill hangouts in AutoCamp’s gathering space.

This year-long contest was structured so that all of the third-party’s associates had the potential to earn a spot at Camp CD. To do so, each associate had to book at least $150,000 in total guest-room revenue — with the caveat that the business had to be spread over three or more Loews properties.

To say this inaugural incentive program was a success is an understatement: ConferenceDirect associates increased group room revenues at Loews properties by 85 percent year-over-year, and by 93 percent over 2019 numbers. 

Best Recognition Program

Ladidadi Events & Incentives, and Strategex

Family-owned business-consulting firm Strategex marked its 30th anniversary with a delightful surprise to recognize and thank the entire staff for their role in the company’s success. The 64 team members, who ranged from recent college grads to longtime employees who’d been with the firm since day one, were flown along with their guests to Mexico’s Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita for a five-day, four-night celebration.

Organized by Ladidadi Events & Incentives, the trip gave attendees a chance to celebrate in person with colleagues and leadership from around the United States and the United Kingdom; and they had time to relax and experience activities such as snorkeling and whale-watching.

The highlight of the milestone event was the closing-night party: Attendees were transported to a private estate in the hills of nearby Sayulita. Then, after walking along a forest path, the winners were escorted to the beach where they were greeted by a musician playing an electric violin and served signature cocktails. For dinner, they made their way to a private dining area decorated with lush greenery, where they were entertained by fire-dancers and served dessert from a custom churro cart. They later hit the dance floor for a fabulous after-party.

Based on post-event feedback, employee morale was at an all-time high and Strategex team members were grateful to be part of a company that valued their contributions.