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Creative Group Acquires Strategic Meetings and Incentives

Consistent with RRN’s predictions about an increase in mergers and acquisitions in the incentive, recognition, and rewards (IRR) space, Appleton, WI-based Creative Group has acquired Strategic Meetings and Incentives LLC, a Scottsdale, AZ-based meeting, event, and incentive agency.
 
Creative Group has purchased Strategic Meetings and Incentives, LLC, a meeting, event and incentive agency based in Scottsdale, AZ. Strategic Meetings’ services “include a broad spectrum, including creative design anchored in strategic meeting planning, event marketing, full-scale event production and on-site meeting management,” according to the announcement. Founded in 2001, Strategic Meetings and Incentives has reportedly been “recognized for creating incentive travel programs and business meetings that captivate and motivate the audience while delivering on the client’s business goals. Its Fortune 500 clients span industries from telecommunications to technology.”
Janet Traphagen
 
“Like Creative Group, Strategic Meetings and Incentives prides itself on developing strong relationships with its clients and responding to their unique priorities with solutions that are custom tailored to them," says Janet Traphagen, President of Creative Group, which is owned by Direct Travel. 
 
The statement says that “the acquisition of Strategic Meetings and Incentives further delivers on Creative Group’s strategy and operational plan to expand through acquisition and organic growth.” 
Michele Hayes
 
Explains Michele Hayes, President and owner of Strategic Meetings, “I’m excited to have found just the right buyer, one whose approach to business and customer care mirrors ours. Aligning with Creative Group will allow us to provide our clients with more business solutions, greater buying power, and increased resources. In addition, we can now offer our clients more robust sales incentive and channel loyalty solutions, complementing our current product offerings.”
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Brand Media and Enterprise Engagement 


A complete learning, certification, and information program and a course syllabus for educators.
 
Resources: The Brand Media Coalition, the only guide to the story-telling power of brands and where to source them for business, event, promotional gifting, and rewards and recognition. Enterprise Engagement Solution Provider Directory. The only directory of engagement solution providers covering all types of agencies and tactics as well as insights on how to select them.
 
Communities: The  Enterprise Engagement Alliance and Advocate and the  Brand Media Coalition free resource centers offering access to the latest research, news, and case studies; discounts, promotions, referrals, and commissions, when appropriate to third-party solution providers from participating coalition solution provider members.
 
Training and Certification
Enterprise Engagement Alliance Education: Certified Engagement Practitioner; Advanced Engaged Practitioner, and Certified Engagement Solution Provider learning and certification programs on how to implement Stakeholder Capitalism principles at the tactical level. 
 
International Center for Enterprise Engagement: The only training and certification program for ISO 30414 human capital reporting and ISO 10018 quality people management certification. 
 
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The EEA offers a complimentary course syllabus for educators.
 
In Print: 
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10-minute short course: click here for a 10-minute introduction to Enterprise Engagement and ISO standards from the Coggno.com learning platform.
 
Services: 
•  The Engagement Agency at EngagementAgency.net, offering: complete support services for employers, solution providers, and technology firms seeking to profit from formal engagement practices for themselves or their clients, including Brand and Capability audits for solution providers to make sure their products and services are up to date.
•  C-Suite Advisory Service—Education of boards, investors, and C-suite executives on the economics, framework, and implementation processes of Enterprise Engagement. 
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•  Mergers and Acquisitions. The Engagement Agency’s Mergers and Acquisition group is aware of multiple companies seeking to purchase firms in the engagement field. Contact Michael Mazer in confidence if your company is potentially for sale at 303-320-3777.
 
Enterprise Engagement Benchmark Tools: The Enterprise Engagement Alliance offers three tools to help organizations profit from Engagement. Click here to access the tools.
•  ROI of Engagement Calculator. Use this tool to determine the potential return-on-investment of an engagement strategy. 
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For more information, contact Bruce Bolger at Bolger@TheEEA.org, 914-591-7600, ext. 230.
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