NEW YORK – Budgets are expanding for incentive programmes, and companies are appreciating the "soft-power" objectives programmes deliver -- aiming, for instance, to build engagement and retain employees -- as well as the traditional goal of meeting and exceeding sales targets. Those positive findings are among the key takeaways from the 2019 Incentive Travel Industry Index, a collaboration between Society of Incentive Travel Experts, the Incentive Research Foundation, and Financial and Insurance Conference Professionals.

Long seen as a role for generalists, event planners are gaining recognition as specialists with unique skill sets. Meetings & Conventions Asia takes a look at talent development and evolving industry requirements.