The Site Index
What: An annual analysis and forecast for the motivational events industry.
Who: You - A global group of highly qualified incentive travel and motivational event users and providers
Why: To create a comprehensive forecast of trends and activity specific to the motivational events and travel industry.
How: Enroll online at siteindex.monmouth.edu. For more information about The Site Index, contact Scott Jeffrey, Ph.D. at sjeffrey@monmouth.edu.
Details: The research will examine both internal and external challenges to the industry and how these factors impact the stability and growth of our market. It will address behaviors of buyers and supplier partners, providing leading indicators for future trends. The research will be conducted by Scott Jeffrey, Ph.D., Marion Joppe, Ph.D., and their team. Contact Site International Foundation Director, Allison Summers (asummers@siteglobal.com) for more information.
Read the Press Release here >>
Site Index: Survey Results
Annual Survey, December 2012 | Technology '12 | Cross Sector Study | Annual Survey 2012
Measurement Update | DMCs | Program Content | Destination
Annual Survey 2010 | Measurement | Technology '10 | Economy
Annual Survey, December 2012 – Just Released
The third year of the Site Index: Annual Survey measures movement in key indices and also introduces new areas for discussion.
Observations
As in past years, respondents said that the overall use of motivational travel experiences is on an upswing. Eighty-six percent (86%) predicted that it will increase or substantially increase in the next 1 to 3 years. Respondents were significantly more positive about the short term (next 6 months) than in previous years. While the convergence of meetings and incentives is slowing, inclusion of business meetings and other similar components in motivational events will continue to experience some growth. A significant majority of respondents saidthat the inclusion of corporate social responsibility) and “green initiatives” in motivational events will continue to increase.
Read the results here >> (pdf)
Technology ’12
The Site International Foundation is proud to present the 2012 Site Index: Focus on Technology and Social Media.
Observations
This report is a follow-up to a 2010 study on the same topic. This issue demonstrates how much has changed in a relatively short period of time. A large majority (81%) of the respondents report that their companies are connected to clients through social media platforms with 76% of these companies maintaining corporate profiles on two or more platforms. Companies are using more technology for sales and marketing purposes. For those respondents that reported using social media in their daily business, 46% use it for marketing promotions and communications and/or their incentive program operations.
Read the results here >> (pdf)
Cross Sector Study
This brief survey was designed to examine how various sectors of our economy have reacted to recent economic activity and to assess the effect on their use of motivational travel programs. Based on this survey, the Financial Services/Insurance was the segment most using motivational travel programs in the last year.
Download study HERE.
Annual Survey 2012
The Site International Foundation is proud to present the second Site Index: Annual Survey results. Designed to both compile data for immediate use and to serve as a baseline for future comparison of industry performance and trends, a variety of industry forecasts and trends were studied.
Observations
While respondents are currently a bit more optimistic about the future, the areas of optimism have shifted. Asked to forecast the overall use of motivational travel, 89% felt that it would increase or substantially increase in one to three years. The study indicates a stable situation with minor fluctuations in the comparative data since the last survey. However, there were dramatic changes in the way the Site community valued different marketing tools as well as new questions were introduced in the areas of mobile technology, on-line booking tools and more.
Read the results here >> (pdf)
Measurement Update
The Site International Foundation is pleased to present the recently released Site Index: Focus on the Measurement White Paper which revisited the changes and movements in both perception and prediction of Return on Investment (ROI) and Return on Objectives (ROO) in the motivational events industry.
Observations
The survey revealed a significant year over year increase in respondents who reported that their organizations or clients use measurement ‘almost all the time’ or’ always’, moving the numbers from 8.1% in 2010 to 24.7% in 2011. When asked about the most important element to measure, buyers and providers ranked determining the true return on investment for incentive programs and Information regarding adherence to the program budget as significant.
Read the report here >> (pdf)
Read the press release >>
DMCs
The Site International Foundation is pleased to announce the findings of the latest Site Index survey: Destination Management Companies.
Observations
This Site Index is an in-depth look at Destination Management Companies (DMCs). This data indicates that some friction exists in how Users view Planners and DMCs in what seems to be the growing Do-It-Yourself world. Moreover, this friction could continue to grow.
Read the results here >> (pdf)
For more detail on the Destination Management Company survey, download the written report.
Program Content
As part of the ongoing Site Index research initiative, the Site International Foundation published its Focus on Program Content study. The report investigated the elements and design of motivational programs as determined by planners, users and destinations.
Observations
The Focus on Program Content study shows that itinerary concerns are being recognized among the most important factors in developing program content, which affirms the need to identify the right mix of what motivates and rewards a particular group. The study indicated that less than 37% of programs incorporate a business aspect, but that rate is expected to rise.
Read the results here >> (pdf)
Destination Selection
As part of its ongoing Site Index research initiative, The Site International Foundation released its Focus on Destination Selection study. The report reviewed the key factors that determine which locations are selected as rewards for performance in motivational marketing programs.
Observations
The report identified the top three up-and-coming destinations as Africa, Hawaii and China. While budgets are on the rise, many respondents are choosing to stay closer to home, limiting travel time to between three and nine hours. Many respondents reported a decrease in the use of international travel because of the economy. While some mentioned that budgets are increasing, there are still many economic concerns among users. A number of respondents also gave “perception” as a reason for not traveling internationally.
Read the results here >> (pdf)
Read the press release >>
Annual Survey 2010
The Site International Foundation is proud to present the first Site Index: Annual Survey results. Designed to both compile data for immediate use and to serve as a baseline for future comparison of industry performance and trends, a variety of industry forecasts and trends were studied.
Observations
The study findings reinforced the concept that motivational travel incentives as extrinsic motivators continue to be more desirable than other forms of rewards directly linked to measureable business results. The findings continue to demonstrate a high expectation that the requirement for measurement will increase in both the short and long term. As originally reported in the Site Index: Focus on Measurement of ROI/ROO, motivational events professionals will need to clearly communicate to clients and management both the expected return from their investment and how this return will be clearly measured.
Read the results here >> (pdf)
Read the press release >>
Measurement of ROI/ROO
The Site International Foundation is pleased to present the recently released Site Index: Focus on the Measurement of ROI/ROO study which addressed the application of Return on Investment (ROI) and Return on Objectives (ROO) in the motivational events industry.
Observations
The Site Index survey verified that hard measures (increased sales, profitability and growth of market share) receive more emphasis than soft but also important measures (such as commitment, loyalty and trust). What this does is show that we understand what is going on in the market is deeper than sales. The softer measures do matter, just not as much as the harder measures. Seventy-five percent of respondents confirmed that the number of programs for which ROI/ROO is measured will increase in the next three to five years. Providers and users of these programs must clearly communicate to management not only the expected return from spending, but how this return will be measured.
Read the results here >> (pdf)
Technology ’10
The Site International Foundation is proud to present the Site Index: Focus on Technology study findings.
Observations
The report reveals technology usage and viewpoints in the motivational events industry today as it relates to business operations, motivational programs and online resources. Over 91% of respondents report it is 'important' or 'somewhat important' when asked about a company's available technology when selecting partners. Only 12.5% participants are planning ahead for their technology needs, while 28% reported they want more technology but are restrained by lack of funding.
Read the results here >> (pdf)
Economy
The Site International Foundation is pleased to announce the findings of the first Site Index survey: Focus on the Economy.
Observations
This survey clearly shows the impact of the current recession on both buyers and providers of motivational events. Fully 76% are experiencing a decrease in usage. Interestingly, the majority of respondents believe that the most salient factor in reductions is that of perception. The adverse publicity received by U.S. companies who accepted government support but then held lavish programs coupled with condemnation of their programs by major public figures contributed to the greatest decline in the motivational events industry in memory.
Read the results here >> (pdf)
We Need You
Join the Site Index Data Panel
We are a global organization and we need each Site member’s voice included in the Site Index studies. Individual data — including the list of participants — are maintained as strictly confidential by the researchers and are never made available to the Site International Foundation or Site.
Enroll in the data panel >>
Working for You
Research done right takes the efforts of many.
Our corporate partner
The Site Index Research Committee:
Chair:
Mark Bondy - VIKTOR Incentives & Meetings
Members:
Steve O'Malley - Maxvantage/Maritz
Jane Schuldt - World Marketing Group
Scott Jeffrey PhD - Monmouth University
Marion Joppe PhD - University of Guelf
Allison Summers - Site Intl Foundation
Bob Vitagliano, CITE - V Associates LLC
