Press

EXPERT TIPS FOR SELECTING YOUR NEXT DESTINATION
SMALL MARKET MEETINGS – MAY 2023

Mike May and Michelle Crosby share their expertise about selecting the perfect incentive travel and meeting destinations for your group demographics and company goals.

Hit the Target, Creating a More Strategic RFP
CORPORATE & INCENTIVE TRAVEL – MAY 2023

“Technology is a wonderful tool, but we will always need human connection to make it a win-win in the meeting and events industry. Although it may take more time on the front end, a meeting planner should try to include budget, program history, program details, and decision timeline.” -Genny Castleberry, Director of Sourcing

The Future of the Incentives Industry Workforce
THE INCENTIVE RESEARCH FOUNDATION – APRIL 2023

Brightspot is proud to sponsor The Incentive Research Foundation study, The Future of the Incentives Industry Workforce. The study outlines key recommendations for recruiting and retaining employees in the incentive industry and beyond.

Smart Women in Meetings 2023 Industry Leader: Genny Castleberry
SMART MEETINGS – MAR 2023

Director of Sourcing, Genny Castleberry, was named a Stellar Performer on Smart Meeting’s Smart Women in Meetings 2023 list! Genny embodies this recognition daily through her expertise and passion – which shines in her work at Brightspot and beyond.

Tax Tips for Incentive Programs
NORTHSTAR MEETINGS GROUP – JAN 2023

Federal income tax considerations for incentive programs often are overlooked. Mike gives his insight on Tax Tips for Incentive Programs to help make programs more successful — and avoid unpleasant surprises for award recipients

Program Design Tips to Engage Attendees
PREVUE MEETINGS & INCENTIVES – NOV 2022

As face-to-face meetings and incentives move forward, Rudy outlines changes in program design that are crucial to foster purposeful engagement and enhance attendee experiences.

75+ Ideas to Cut Meeting Costs
MEETINGSNET – NOV 2022

Mike May tells clients to expect increases of around 30 percent for airfares, 20 percent for guest rooms, and 10 percent for food and beverage.

Need to Cut the Meeting Budget? Start with the Big Picture
MEETINGSNET – NOV 2022

“We tell clients that the research says attendees want more downtime, so let’s reduce the activities on one day and just let them enjoy the resort.”

– Mike May

IRF Names 2023 Board Of Trustees & Executive
THE INCENTIVIST – OCT 2022

Through Rudy’s committee work he has been able to represent a “diverse range of experience, perspectives, and roles in the incentive industry.”

Incentive Hyperdrive
SMART MEETINGS – OCT 2022

“It’s great to see the rebound of cruises,” said Rudy Garza, vice president of operations with Brightspot Incentives and Events. Garza pointed out that the survey showed a continued trend to European cruising along with a 50% rebound for Caribbean cruise incentives.

– Rudy Garza

Budget Blues: The Uncertain Economy Makes Planning Meetings Difficult
INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT – OCT 2022

“Although this may take a short-term hit on their yearly budget, it will ultimately achieve the long-term biggest return on their investment with employee or customer loyalty and increased results across the board.”

– Brie Richards

Tips for Planning Incentives
SMALL MARKET MEETINGS – OCT 2022

“At the end of the day what our customers are looking for are locations that the winners wouldn’t necessarily take their families on vacation.”

– Michelle Crosby

Motivation Masters Award Winner: Avaya Edge Loyalty Program
INCENTIVE – SEP 2022

To reward Avaya’s top-performing partners in 78 countries, Brightspot developed the Avaya Edge Loyalty Program. Aiming to boost global sales at the business-communications company, the program targeted three groups of participants: partner principles, account managers, and sales engineers. Brightspot won the “Best Dealer/Channel Program” in the 2022 Motivation Masters Awards.

Where Incentive Winners Want to Go (Versus Where They Actually Go)
MEETINGSNET – SEP 2022

“Five of the top-10 destinations are in Mexico… ease of access, many all-inclusive properties, and affordability factor into its popularity. It’s almost the opposite of Hawaii, where interest is high, but the experience is expensive.”

– Rudy Garza

Brightspot Named to the CMI 25 List of Top Meeting and Incentive Travel Companies
MEETINGSNET – SEP 2022

Brightspot was recognized by MeetingsNet to the 2022 CMI 25 list, honoring the largest full-service meeting and incentive travel management companies focused on the U.S. corporate market. The annual report from is a key resource for corporations looking for experienced event-planning partners.

Brightspot Named as a Top Event Company in Texas
BEST STARTUP TEXAS – AUG 2022

Brightspot made the list of the 101 Most Innovative Event Management Companies by The Best Startup Texas, a publication that tracks over 100,000 Texan startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies.

How to Plan a Caribbean Meeting
SMALL MARKET MEETINGS – JUL 2022

The Caribbean is ideal for incentive travel because it has what May calls “podium power.” It attracts a lot of attention because of the luxury associated with it, making it a great reward.

Top 55 Event Experience Leader 2022: Brett Rainforth
SMART MEETINGS – JUL 2022

Program Manager, Brette Rainforth, was named one of Bizzabo’s Top 55 Event Experience Leaders of 2022! Brette was nominated by her industry peers as an influencer who helps redefine the events industry, and we couldn’t agree more!

Brightspot Makes It On the Best MICE Blogs List by FeedSpot
FEEDSPOT – JUN 2022

The best MICE blog list curated from thousands of blogs on the web and ranked by traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness.

Brightspot Incentives & Events Acquires EventLink International
PRESS RELEASE – JUNE 2022

“Brightspot and EventLink both have a proven commitment to excellence and integrity. With the merging of our talents and scope, I am excited about the future opportunities this provides both EventLink’s clients and employees.”

– Teri Abram, President of EventLink International

Look Forward. Don’t Discount Your Value.
THE INCENTIVIST – APR 2022

“During the last two years, the MICE industry was forced to shift its thinking on everything. Right now, 2022 is a more robust version of 2019 for the incentive travel industry. Close the door on the Covid years and old thinking.”

– Mike May

Mixed Response in IRR Industry to Rise of Human Capital Management
REWARDS & RECOGNITION  – APR 2022

“We need to be consultants sharing advice, because if we are not, we become an administrator. We need to push back when appropriate. Clients want to have a good healthy exchange.”

– Mike May

2022 Starts With Déjà Vu, But… Business Events Will Be Strong
NORTHSTAR MEETINGS GROUP – JAN 2022

Mike May, CMP, president of Brightspot Incentives & Events, agreed. Based on incentive industry surveys and his own experience with clients, “75 to 90 percent of consumer attitudes have already shifted to this virus being consistent, limited and managed. People are moving on and resuming the old normal.”

Pressure Points and the COVID-19 Fallout
INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE – NOV 2021

Our very own Genny Castleberry was quoted in this article. Here’s a quick preview: “We also have to stay on top of emergency protocols in the event attendees test positive for COVID on-site during the event and how to manage such situations.”

The Tipping Point for the Return of Incentive Travel
SMART MEETINGS – OCT 2021

There is a teeter that is tottering, and incentive travel is rebounding. Brightspot partners with Smart Meetings to provide insights into the tipping point of post-pandemic incentive travel.

Motivation Masters Award Winner: PTC Partner Network Rewards
INCENTIVE – SEP 2021

PTC turned to Brightspot Incentives & Events to revamp its online motivation and engagement platform. This platform was able to “move the middle” and was both accessible and fun for the sales reps. Brightspot won the “Best Channel Program” in the 2021 Motivation Masters Awards.

The IRF Incentive Travel Toolkit: Forms, Templates, Guides, Tips, and Resources
THE INCENTIVE RESEARCH FOUNDATION – AUG 2021

Brightspot is proud to partner with The Incentive Research Foundation on its newly released Incentive Travel Toolkit. Like the IRF, Brightspot believes incentive programs are powerful and effective employee motivators – especially when designed for success!

Smart Meetings Planner of the Year 2021: Nicole Chattin
SMART MEETINGS – AUG 2021

Sr. Program Manager, Nicole Chattin, CMP, CMM was named as one of Smart Meetings’ Meeting Planners of the Year. Nicole was recognized for her integral role in helping rebound during the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing virtual & hybrid events for Brightspot clients.

Brightspot Positions Itself for Growth in 2021 Rebound with New VP of Sales
PRWEB – JULY 2021

“I am excited for this opportunity and eager to lead Brightspot through our next season of growth. Facing this post-pandemic economic rebound head-on, we are positioned well to execute on the great opportunities ahead. The future never looked brighter!”

– Michael Butler

Smart Women in Meetings 2021 Industry Leader: Julie Blank
SMART MEETINGS – MAR 2021

Director of Strategic Accounts, Julie Blank, was named a Smart Women in Meetings Industry Leader for 2021! Julie’s expertise and enduring spirit grabbed the spotlight and made her a shining star in the industry.

Shrinking Coronavirus Numbers Inspire Optimism
PREVUE – FEB 2021

“When the world opens back up, group space will fill up quickly and rates will increase. Don’t be late to the party.”

– Julie Blank

IRR Leaders’ Reactions to SEC Human Capital Disclosures
REWARDS & RECOGNITION  – OCT 2020

“I just don’t believe that the disclosure of HR practices will have much, if any, impact on the decisions made by the Global 2000.”

– Mike May

Incentive Program Design for Crisis Recovery Expert Testimonials
INCENTIVE RESEARCH FOUNDATION – SEP 2020

“The most critical elements of effective reward program design are essentially the same, indeed more so, as when I was asked this question during the financial crisis one decade ago…”

– Mike May

Key Insights from the 2020 Incentive Industry Roundtable
INCENTIVE  – SEP 2020

”There’s going to be more work to set up rooms, ensure that cleaning procedures are in place, and monitor social distancing.”

– Mike May

Julie Blank on Incentive Travel During COVID-19
PREVUE – JUN 2020

Julie Blank offers her insight to Prevue on what incentive travel programs can expect to change during the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘Postpone, Don’t Cancel’ in Action – and Lessons Learned
SMART MEETINGS – APR 2020

“Coronavirus may slow us down, but it won’t stop us from celebrating. We may not be on the beach in May but pick a pair of sunglasses until we meet in 2021.”

– Julie Blank

Tips to Elevate Your Incentive Trip
MOTIVATE – APR 2020

Michael Butler goes through 9 key tips to elevating your incentive trip. You can read the full details behind these incentive trip best practices in our eBook, Tips to Improve an Incentive Travel Program.

How Your Event Should Evolve During the Coronavirus Outbreak
BIZBASH – MAR 2020

“Rather than incurring a financial penalty of 50 percent or more of the estimated event cost to cancel a business meeting or trade show, Brightspot recommends continuing the event as planned (if the destination does not have a Level 3 travel warning), tolerate an attendance decline of about 10 percent, and achieve the business benefits of face-to-face meetings with 90 percent of your audience.”

– Mike May

Event Budgets are Increasing
CVENT – FEB 2020

“Planners have the convenience of knowing what their bill is going to be at the end of the program long before they get there […] There is no surprise $10,000 bill from a group that congregated in the pool all day and ran up a big tab. For attendees, they can leave their wallet or purse back in the room’s safe and enjoy their experience without thinking about how much a fancy drink at the bar costs, as well as convenient choices of different restaurant outlets where there is no figuring out a tip or signing a check.”

– Michael Butler

Westin Savannah Incentives
PREVUE – FEB 2020

Brightspot Incentives and Events recently brought a golf incentive up a notch by bringing in Jeff Klaiber, a renowned golf course architect and designer who is the author of “The Gritty Golf Guide.” He shares with his groups his unconventional approach to golf strategy and architectural course design.

2020 Incentive Trends
PREVUE – DEC 2019

“Research shows that the most successful incentive programs are those that have the most reach. The more inclusive your incentive is, the more impactful it will be […] at Brightspot, we’re seeing even more demand for unique destinations. Iceland, Croatia, second-tier cities in what are considered typical countries garner interest and curiosity.”

– Kelly Kunz

Mike May in BizBash’s Top 1000 List for Incentives
BIZBASH – OCT 2019

Mike May goes back-to-back years on BizBash’s list of the Top 1000 People in the U.S. Event Industry being recognized for excellence in the Incentives category! He’s joined by other industry experts, Rodger Stotz, who serves alongside Mike in the Incentive Research Foundation, as well as the IRF’s President, Melissa Van Dyke.

Coastal Meetings
PREVUE – SEP 2019

“It may be our nature, or it may be nurture, but the very thought of an incentive trip conjures up images of white-sand beaches, sunshine, and fruity drinks with umbrellas. As an industry, we encourage new destinations and new experiences, and some clients are adventurous, but the bottom line is you can’t go wrong with a beach program.”

– Julie Blank

SITE Texas Member Spotlight: Michael Butler
SITE TX – JUL 2019

Check out this spotlight on our very own Michael Butler, biz dev extraordinaire! With a passion for incentive travel and a drive to network with the top industry personalities, Michael found SITE when he broke into the industry 11 years ago.

Challenge Accepted: Planners Explain Their Toughest Tasks
MEETINGS MAGAZINE – JUL 2019

“Hotel availability and rates are at a premium and we no longer have the luxury to have properties offer courtesy holds for programs. Even if hotels offer a courtesy hold on the space you may want, there is no guarantee they will keep the hold. Nothing is truly guaranteed until all contracts are signed and deposits received.”

– Genny Castleberry

Hit the Road: Acing Your Next Product Roadshow Event
CONVENE – JUN 2019

“Attendees love it (Top Chef Roadshow) because they get a chance to have fun with their peers working through a culinary challenge, and our client loves it because it promotes a stronger relationship between them and their prospects.”

– Phoebe Wright

Six Reasons Non-Cash Awards are Better for Incentive Programs
SITE MOTIVATE  – JUN 2019

 “Non-cash awards have several advantages over cold, hard currency in the modern incentive program. Here are 6 reasons to consider using merchandise or gift cards as your next motivational reward…”

– Mike May

4 Traits That Make A Meeting Planner Indispensible In The Face Of Tech Advances
BENCHMARK MEETINGS – MAY 2019

“Meeting professionals must be creative in all aspects of event planning. From brainstorming the theme to sending off attendees and everything in between, like room drop gifts, there are plenty of opportunities to separate yourself and surprise the client.”

– Nicole Chattin

Incentive’s 2019 Roundtable: Top Industry Trends
INCENTIVE MAGAZINE – APR 2019

 “Hotels are busy and are ready for a fast decision, but for the corporate America side to commit 12-18 months out is very difficult. They tend to focus on quarter-to-quarter decision cycles.”

– Mike May

Connect’s Inaugural 15 Over 50: Michael Butler
COLLABORATE MEETINGS – APR 2019

Brightspot’s Director of Strategic Accounts, Michael Butler, CITP, CIS, is honored in Connect Corporate’s inaugural list of 15 meeting professionals over 50 that have gone above and beyond to making the events industry better.

Brand Extensions Provide Year-Round Buzz for Events
CORPORATE EVENT NEWS – APR 2019

“We create a marketing standard for the conference logo, messaging and theme and are sure that all content channels are including that call-to-action of sending visitors to the conference website for registration.”

– Holly Swanzy

Efficient Event Planning with Brightspot
VACATIONIDEA – FEB 2019

Whether you’re looking to launch a new rewards program, boost your results from travel incentives, or organize an efficient event or meeting, Brightspot is there to help.

IRF Elects 2019 Officers
REWARDS RECOGNITION NETWORK – FEB 2019

Congratulations to Mike May for being named 2019 Chairman of the IRF (Incentive Research Foundation.)

Smart Strategies for Site Selection
SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS – FEB 2019

“Not overlooking anything in the site-selection process by adhering to a checklist compiled from experience and the Events Industry Council is highly recommended.”

– Genny Castleberry

Make a Game of It
CORPORATE & INCENTIVE TRAVEL – JAN 2019

“Gamification plays to our competitive nature as humans and keeps attendees coming back to use your technology.”

– Rachel Butts

How to Create Next-Level Theme Parties
SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS – JAN 2019

“We had nightly get-togethers in the bar, but one night far surpassed the others — ’80s night […] Hundreds of our guests showed up decked out in their favorite 1980s attire to relive the era […] This really helped get people talking and sharing memories, which led them to connect on a deeper, more personal level.”

– Julie Blank

Effective RFPs & Strong Sales Relationships
CORPORATE & INCENTIVE TRAVEL – DEC 2018

“The ultimate goal is to find a win-win situation […] finding the best venue for a program where both meeting planner and hotel find a common ground for a positive and profitable outcome.”

– Genny Castleberry

Embracing Entertainment Trends
CORPORATE & INCENTIVE TRAVEL – DEC 2018

“Keep entertainment local and authentic to the destination — a country band in Texas, junkanoo dancers in The Bahamas, Mayan-costumed greeters in Riviera Maya and Polynesian dancers in Kauai[…]”

– Nicole Chattin

The Big Appeal of Smaller Cities
SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS – DEC 2018

“For hard-charging business people who have visited most first-tiers, an unvisited destination arouses curiosity and becomes an attendance draw with new expectations.”

– Mike May

Making Safety a Priority
CORPORATE & INCENTIVE TRAVEL – OCT 2018

“Safety and security are key areas we are evaluating, planning for and communicating with our vendors, partners and clients […] Planners should never go into a program without having a risk management plan in place.”

– Kim Dierks

16 Ways to Keep Attendee Data Safe
SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS – OCT 2018

“There was a time when data securty meant armed guards, closed-circuit cameras and a good lock on the file cabinet, […] Today, the topic of securing data is a very complex one…”

– Jason Neal

2018 Incentive Travel Report
SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS – OCT 2018

“With the U.S. dollar stronger against the euro, many companies are flying across the Atlantic to second-tier countries in Europe that their winners might have never visited.”

– Mike May

Top 25 Most Influential People in Incentives
INCENTIVE MAGAZINE – SEP 2018

Congratulations to our President, Mike May, for being selected amongst the top 25 most influential people in the incentive industry! We strive to better our clients’ programs as well as our industry as a whole thanks to Mike’s leadership.

Healthy Choice: Healthy Food and Beverage Options
CORPORATE & INCENTIVE TRAVEL – SEP 2018

“We’re hearing, ‘If you’re going to take me away from my family for five days and put me in a situation where I’m having to absorb tons of information, I want to be fed properly.”

– Holly Swanzy

Hiring the Right Professional Speaker
CORPORATE & INCENTIVE TRAVEL – SEP 2018

“If the meeting is a sales kickoff, a motivational speaker would be beneficial, but for something like a human resources conference, an ethics speaker may be more appropriate […] Think about the audience, why they are attending the event and what they want to achieve with this speaker.”

– Nicole Chattin

Brightspot Releases Incentive Travel eBooks
INCENTIVE MAGAZINE – AUG 2018

“The tips in this resource are all about boosting buy-in from the participants and creating unforgettable experiences, even for planners with a limited amount of time to strategize and execute.”

– Julie Blank

Negotiating Hotel Contracts
CORPORATE & INCENTIVE TRAVEL – JUL 2018

“Language should be specific… Hotels tend to include language that protects only them and puts all the liability on the client. Be sure to thoroughly review all clauses and ensure both hotel and client share the same risk.”

– Genny Castleberry

How to Market an Incentive Program
INCENTIVE MAGAZINE – JUL 2018

Mike May joins Incentive Magazine’s Alex Palmer for the very first episode of their new podcast series where they discuss everything from effective program communication to what makes a successful incentive contest stand out from the others.

Delivering Motivation the Right Way
INCENTIVE MAGAZINE – JUN 2018

“You don’t want to be just shipping a box from Amazon or Best Buy, or dropping a gift card in a plain No. 10 envelope with little explanation […] We need to celebrate the person and the accomplishment if we fulfill that award.”

– Mike May

Family Friendly Convention Destinations
ASSOCIATION CONVENTIONS & FACILITIES – MAY 2018

In Branson, a company’s event can be the “big fish” event of the week and local venues can be more flexible than Las Vegas, Orlando, and other metropolitan markets. And Branson arouses the curiosity of invitees who may have visited other tier-one cities, so an unvisited destination offers new experiences.

– Mike May

The Booming Sunshine State
INCENTIVE MAGAZINE – APR 2018

“Recent revitalization projects have produced many excellent group hotels including the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach, Sandpearl Resort, the Opal Sands Resort, Clearwater Beach, which opened 2016, and the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, which opened 2017.”

– Mike May

Industry Leaders Point to Reasons for Optimism
INCENTIVE MAGAZINE – MAR 2018

Mike May cited the strong GDP and roaring stock market of 2017 as positive economic indicators, and also pointed to the Incentive Research Foundation’s Net Optimism Score…

“The score in the fall was 44,” he said. “So the people who were positive were 44 percent higher than those who were negative.”

Meet GDP’s 2017 Rising Star: Brie Richards
GLOBAL DMC PARTNERS – FEB 2018

The recipient of the 2017 Global DMC Partners Rising Star award due to her passion for the industry and her contributions to GDP’s success through her participation on our Customer Advisory Board.  We asked Brie for her perspective and insights on the industry, such as challenges, trends, travel tips – and more!

Why Corporate Retreats are Trending Again
LUXURY RETREATS – FEB 2018

“Recently we’ve seen a growth in cooking classes, especially those that use the spices and flavors of that local destination. Or instead of dinners at a local restaurant, we’ll see dinners at a private home hosted by the family that lives there. People are looking for activities that tap into what you can only do in that market.”

– Mike May

Mike May Sought by Press for an Opinion on Marriott
INCENTIVE MAGAZINE – JAN 2018

May added that at the end of the day, decisions would be based on what is “the right recommendation for the client,” regardless of commission structure.

“When they take a deep breath, they will be most influenced by what’s the right recommendation.”

– Mike May

Spear One Rebrands as Brightspot
INCENTIVE MAGAZINE – NOV 2017

“We strive to make our clients’ jobs easier and make them look good. We want to be the bright spot to our client contact and make their program a bright spot in their company.”

– Mike May

Top Incentive Destinations in the World
SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS – OCT 2017

“As for Dubrovnik, the activities, history, nature, and food-and-wine culture make it a gem on the Adriatic… the favorable exchange rate and VAT refunds, along with the “podium power cachet” of major European cities such as London, Paris, Rome, and Barcelona, is bringing them back to favor with U.S. groups… for Beijing, try topping an excursion to the Great Wall and a private dinner in the Ancestral Temple courtyard in the Forbidden City.”

– Mike May

Florida’s West Coast
SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS – SEP 2017

“Recent revitalization projects have produced many excellent group hotels including the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach, Sandpearl Resort, the Opal Sands Resort, Clearwater Beach, and the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach.”

– Mike May

Personality Plus – Only a Short Drive
SALES & MARKETING MANAGEMENT – SEP 2017

May offers his thoughts on why many of his clients are choosing to meet in (regional) cities.

“Personality – second-tier cities have focused their brand positioning.  Curiosity – an unvisited destination becomes an attendance draw.  Plus: authentic local experiences, being the “big fish,” and drive-to allows more attendees to join.”

– Mike May

The eRFP: Growing Pains, Remedies, and Preparing for the Future
HOTEL BUSINESS REVIEW – SEP 2017

“The modern bridge that connects hoteliers and meeting planners becomes more overburdened and scrutinized by the day. Understanding the Pain Points… Tips for Improving Your eRFP Experience… Embracing Relationship Building Outside eRFPs…”

– Michael Pisterzi

New Client Awards and Partners of the Year
GLOBAL DMC PARTNERS – AUG 2017

Brie Richards is awarded the 2017 Rising Star award at Global DMC Partners Connection.

Las Vegas: What’s New for Meetings
CORPORATE & INCENTIVE TRAVEL – JUL 2017

“Vegas is high energy.  It’s popular for driving attendance and audience anticipation. But attendees might skip part of the meeting and hit the casino floor. Or, they’re bleary-eyed, exhausted and struggle to be fully mentally engaged.”

– Mike May

Cruises Go Full Speed Ahead in Incentive Travel
SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS – MAY 2017

Mike May, president of incentive house Spear One, says that while he is a fan, and some industries like direct sales companies love them, “our clients either always cruise or never cruise. We never see them switch.”

Next Best Thing to Being There
MEETINGS TODAY – APR 2017

“We use Cvent as our online sourcing tool because it allows us to identify and search a variety of properties throughout the world for our clients.”

– Genny Castleberry