RNN Briefs: Leadership Moves and Key Incentive Travel Gatherings

Here is the latest news in the incentive, rewards, and recognition field.

Leadership Move: Chris Galloway Joins MotivForce
IMRA Honors Top Talent in Incentive Merchandise and Customer Service
IMEX Frankfurt: Global Industry Convenes in May
IRF Invitational: Deep Dive into Incentive Strategy

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Christopher Galloway joins MotivForce....IMRA honors industry leaders....IMEX Frankfurt set for May 19-21....IRF Invitational Follows on May 26-29 in Scottsdale.

Leadership Move: Chris Galloway Joins MotivForce

Industry veteran Chris Galloway has joined MotivForce as Head of Product and Marketing. MotivForce is a UK-based global loyalty agency with operations in the US and around the world. Galloway brings years of experience in engagement strategy and client development. Known for his work across the incentives and recognition space, Galloway’s transition suggests new demand for seasoned talent capable of bridging program design, client outcomes, and evolving engagement expectations. His move may be another signal of how companies are investing in leadership to differentiate through strategy rather than commoditized offerings.

IMRA Honors Top Talent in Incentive Merchandise and Customer Service

At its 2026 conference in Redondo Beach, California, Incentive Merchandise to Reward & Appreciate (IMRA) presented its top annual awards, recognizing standout professionals across the incentive merchandise and corporate gifting ecosystem. The honors highlight excellence in sales leadership, representative performance, and customer service on both the supplier and rep sides of the business.
IMRA Individual Rep of the Year: Grace Hanrehan, Alliance Marketing, Inc.
IMRA Supplier Sales Manager of the Year: Charlene Gibbens, Computer Incentives/Top Brands, Inc.
IMRA Representative Customer Service Person of the Year: Vicki Fleetwood, Keystone Incentives.
IMRA Supplier Customer Service Person of the Year: Stacy Dottavio, MAS, Inc.

IMEX Frankfurt: Global Industry Convenes in May

IMEX Frankfurt 2026 takes place May 19–21, 2026, in Frankfurt, Germany, bringing together thousands of global meeting planners, suppliers, and incentive travel professionals. As the largest event of its kind in Europe, IMEX serves as a central marketplace for ideas, partnerships, and destination sourcing. This year’s gathering is expected to reflect growing emphasis on experience design, global uncertainty, and the continued evolution of incentive travel as a strategic engagement tool. Click here for more information.

IRF Invitational: Deep Dive into Incentive Strategy

Following IMEX, the IRF Invitational 2026 will be held May 26–29, 2026, at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale. Hosted by the Incentive Research Foundation, the Invitational is a more intimate, invitation-only event focused on research, education, and peer collaboration. With over 500 attendees expected, it provides a setting for deeper exploration of industry trends, including cost pressures, program design, and the future role of incentives in driving measurable performance.

Enterprise Engagement Alliance Services

Celebrating our 17^th year, the Enterprise Engagement Alliance helps organizations enhance performance through:

1. Information and marketing opportunities on stakeholder management and total rewards:

ESM Weekly on stakeholder management since 2009. Click here to subscribe; click here for media kit.
RRN Weekly on total rewards since 1996. Click here to subscribe; click here for media kit.
EEA YouTube channel on enterprise engagement, human capital, and total rewards since 2020

2. Learning: Purpose Leadership and Stakeholder

Management Academy to enhance future equity value for your organization.

3. Books on implementation: Enterprise Engagement for CEOs and Enterprise Engagement: The Roadmap.

4. Advisory services and research: Strategic guidance, learning and certification on stakeholder management, measurement, metrics, and corporate sustainability reporting.

5. Permission-based targeted business development to identify and build relationships with the people most likely to buy.

Contact: Bruce Bolger at TheICEE.org; 914-591-7600, ext. 230.