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President / CEO
Incentive Research Foundation
Stephanie Harris is President of the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF), an organization that funds and promotes research and education to increase understanding, effective use and benefits of non-cash incentives for businesses globally. Before joining the IRF, Harris was part of the American Express Meetings & Events leadership team, leading global event strategy, thought leadership and marketing. She started her career in incentives with Maritz, where she was VP of Brand Marketing & Strategy. Harris is a fierce proponent of the power of in-person events and non-cash rewards, and currently serves on the board of the Events Industry Council. Harris lives in St. Louis with her husband, has four (mostly grown and on their own) children and a labrador retriever.
Date
How far would you go to create a once-in-a-lifetime incentive travel experience? For today’s well-traveled top performers, long-haul travel can offer the exclusive and culturally immersive experiences that make a program unforgettable. Explore what gives a distant destination real trophy value, from adventurous itineraries and bespoke access to time for jet lag recovery, relaxation and personal exploration. Consider air travel, time away from the office and pricing, and discover how to make the journey part of the reward.
Learning outcomes:
Identify the characteristics that give long-haul destinations “trophy value”
Evaluate the benefits and practical considerations of planning a long-haul incentive program
Explore strategies for creating memorable, culturally immersive journeys
* CMP/CEU Approved: Domain I: Site Management, 0.5 credits
Exceptional experiences are no longer a luxury add-on; they are a strategic advantage. In a world where audiences can personalise almost every part of their lives in minutes, the bar for incentive travel and live events has never been higher. The question is no longer simply how to impress people, but how to design moments that make them feel seen, valued and motivated to act.
This conversation brings together three senior voices with deep authority across luxury experience, incentive travel and the business of human connection: Neen James, Stephanie Harris and Annette Gregg. Together, they will unpack what separates a well-run programme from an unforgettable, purpose-led experience—and why getting this right matters for engagement, loyalty, brand differentiation and commercial impact. Through a person-centric lens, attendees will explore how to decode the luxury mindset, balance exclusivity with authenticity, and design experiences that resonate long after the event ends
Use this assessment to learn more about your Luxury Mindset with Neen James: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7716610/Neen-James-Assessment-2024
Learning outcomes:
Reframe luxury in incentive travel as intentional design rather than extravagance
Explore how the five luxury levers can be translated into practical design decisions
Evaluate the role exceptional experiences play in strengthening organizations and incentive programs
This session is approved for the following certifications.
* ICCA Skills Domain CICS/CICE: 0.5
* CMP/CEU Approved: Event Design, 0.50 credits
* CSEP Approved