Exhibition industry veteran Mark Harvey has launched Australasia’s first trade show and conference dedicated exclusively to the incentive, reward, recognition and loyalty business.

Motivation & Incentive Expo scheduled for Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre on 24-25 July 2007 will focus on how organisations can profit from brand-name merchandise, travel and retail products to accomplish incentive and recognition goals.

“Incentive programs, rewards and recognition are now playing a significant role in engaging consumers, channel partners, salespeople and employees at all levels," said Harvey. “Organisations need to motivate customers to buy and remain loyal. They need to inspire salespeople and dealers to sell more, and employees at all levels to perform over and above normal expectations. If they can achieve this, they will almost certainly improve their bottom line, customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.”

Nearly US$30 billion was spent on incentives by US corporations last year, a trend that Harvey believes is alive and well in Australasia. While there is no relevant data available here, Harvey estimates the expenditure in Australia alone is somewhere between AUS$3-5 billion per year conservatively and growing.

More than 120 exhibitors are expected to showcase a diverse range of products and solutions at Motivation & Incentive Expo, designed to maximise the commitment and engagement of employees, channel partners and customers.

In addition to incentive practitioners, marketing agency professionals, conference and event organisers and meeting planners, the attendee profile includes c-level executives who represent the largest organisations in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, and are responsible for employee incentives, salespeople and channel partner performance and customer loyalty.