Alternatives to Travel Incentives and Experiential Rewards

Experiential rewards have been one of the most desirable rewards among incentive program participants. Everyone loves winning a free vacation or tickets to a concert. However, with Covid-19 still making travel difficult or unappealing for most people, incentive program managers are looking for alternative ways to entice their participants. These can result in some creative things, like paying celebrities to appear in a work Zoom call for some team motivation. Still, there are many other options out there to maintain your incentive program’s engagement levels. Here are some possible alternatives to travel-based experiential rewards for your incentive programs.

Fortunately, the pandemic has not dampened people’s fondness for gift cards and other cash equivalents. With a gift card, particularly one for a brand that offers online shopping, participants can enjoy their reward from the comfort of their home and pick something perfect for themselves. Also, if you go with a virtual gift card instead of a physical one, participants can be rewarded immediately, giving them that sweet feeling of instant gratification. The same goes for prepaid cards, which can also come in a virtual or physical form with your company’s custom branding. 

For internal programs, such as employee recognition programs or health and wellness programs, virtual recognition events can be an excellent way to engage your participants. This show of acknowledgment in front of their peers can make them feel genuinely appreciated while also motivating others to improve their own performances. It’s best to pair these with a more tangible reward as well, such as a gift card or merchandise. 

Just because people are stuck at home, it doesn’t mean that they can’t have a good time. With a little creativity, you can put together reward options that give the fun of an experiential reward at home. You could put together a game night reward bundle with several different board and card games included. How about dinner and a movie at home? You could include a voucher for a free movie rental online, a gift card for a meal delivery service, and maybe a fluffy blanket for snuggling up under. The only limit is imagination. 

Instant win games and sweepstakes are great ways to increase engagement, especially in points-based incentive programs. They create excitement by giving participants the chance to win a high-value item. In points programs, they can also be a great way to burn off points and engage lower point earners. 

All Digital Rewards has a robust rewards catalog with extensive offerings to fit all your incentive program’s needs. We know how important it is to engage your participants, particularly in these uncertain times. Our team of experts can work with you every step of the way to create the perfect incentive program reward mix to engage your participants and meet your organization’s objectives. To find out more, call us at 866-415-7703 or click the button below to schedule a demo.