IMA and The Motivation Show Join Forces with PPAI’s brand. in 2014

The Incentive Marketing Association (IMA) and The Motivation Show announced today that they will produce a new annual event in cooperation with PPAI’s brand. starting in 2014.  This new event, called The Motivation Show Las Vegas, will be sponsored by IMA and include a combined exhibit hall with brand. along with a conference program open to all users and resellers of incentive and recognition products and services.  PPAI’s brand., the promotional product industry’s most highly regarded incentive products showcase, is scheduled for January 15-17, 2014, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

“The launch of The Motivation Show Las Vegas represents the results of an ongoing collaborative effort between the IMA and PPAI," said Dave Peer, CPIM, President of IMA and President of Hinda Incentives. "As leading organizations for our industry, we recognize that our combined efforts will produce a valuable showcase and education event for our market. Together we are all stronger and more effective.”   

According to Paul Bellantone, CAE, PPAI president and CEO, “We are honored to combine forces with the IMA to fully realize the potential of incentive and recognition products’ strengths in the industry. This strategic alliance will provide access and exposure to new markets in new ways while delivering greater value to our members. By combining PPAI’s brand. and The Motivation Show Las Vegas in one location, we have achieved another goal in fully realizing our vision to significantly enhance the show experience. This alliance will help bolster the category’s position in the market by offering new levels of connectivity to stakeholders like never before.”

IMA and The Motivation Show also announced that the dates of the 2013 trade show and conference in Chicago will move to May 6-8, 2014 (Pre-Show Education: May 6, Exhibits: May 7-8). The Motivation Show Chicago will continue to feature the incentive and recognition industry’s premiere conference program, along with an exhibit hall of the leading brand name merchandise, gift card and experiential reward suppliers.    

“We’re very excited about the opportunity to co-locate a new event with PPAI’s highly successful brand.," said Pete Erickson, Managing Director of The Motivation Show. "We’re anxious to provide the distributor community with an opportunity to learn more about how incentives can help them expand their product offering and capture new corporate business. 

“We also see this as a great opportunity for our community of incentive end-buyers and resellers in the Western states to have access to education, exhibits, and networking that has previously only been available in Chicago," Erickson continues. "We believe this co-location between IMA, The Motivation Show, and PPAI will be a catalyst to increasing the use of incentive rewards and promotional products throughout corporate America.”

Dave Peer Assumes Lead Role at IMA

Newly promoted Hinda president Dave Peer is also taking the helm as president of the Incentive Marketing Association (IMA) this year. As a 14-year industry vet taking the reins of an organization that’s seen a lot of change in its 13-year history, Peer says, “One of the things we are looking at is to determine what is the most effective course for the future so we are relevant for our members and we are able to support our industry,” as quoted in the most recent issue of Premiere Incentive Products (PIP).

Early in November of 2011, Peer and the IMA strategic planning committee met to review the goals of the organization moving into 2012. Four key initiatives are being focused on this year: industry trade shows and conferences; Return on Performance magazine; membership retention and recruitment; and support of IMA’s legislative campaign.

Peer notes the IMA’s longstanding relationship with the Motivation Show and the fact that attendance has dropped recently with the advent of more specialized trade events. “A task force has been formed to more closely evaluate this subject,” says Peer. “As an association we want to support the events which will recognize the greatest benefit to our industry.”

Peer also mentions the need to better utilize Return on Performanceas a corporate outreach tool and that development of relevant, educational content that will benefit readers as well as IMA members is underway. Supporting legislative efforts and the Incentive Legislation Campaign as Tax Provision 274(j) debate in Washington is also a crucial part of the IMA initiatives this year.

“As we celebrate our 13^thyear, the IMA is maturing and evolving as an organization,” Peer says. “We are challenged by a variety of factors facing our industry and it is important that the IMA maintains a leadership role and stays ahead of these changes. We will work together to support the mission of our association as the premier educator and authority in the incentive marketplace.”

Attracting new members and working more closely with other incentive industry organizations are two additional goals Peer cites as being crucial in 2012. “We are looking at our association and relationships throughout the industry with other players, and we are looking to provide a more team-oriented approach to the problems all of our members face,” he tells PIP.

Peer joins five other newly appointed officers to the 2012 IMA board. Congrats to all and good luck as we all embark upon this New Year together.