Bath & Body Works was once again offering 2-ounce samples of its lotions to the crowds of attendees lining its booth at the recent Incentive Show after conducting a test to see how not giving out the samples would bode with attendees at last year’s Motivation Show. The answer? Attendees want some samples.
For 2006, gift cards were in ample supply as were bites of chocolate, cheesecake and crab cakes, among the usual fare. Here’s a sampling of what was new on the show floor at the Incentive Show, held May 3 and 4 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.
*Chesapeake Bay showed up for the first time at the Incentive Show and had lines of people winding through the isles for a taste of its fresh hand-made crab cakes, served with a dollop of sauce. Gifts include the “Perfect Crab Cakes”, a ”Bay-Style Surf & Turf” and the “Chesapeake Bay Sampler.” A catalog is available from the three-year-old company at cbgourmet.com
*Harry & David was onsite with its new offering: a customizable box that has an opening to insert a business card or gift card along with a compartment to include one of Harry & David’s confections such as truffles, chocolates, candies, nuts or other treats. Information can be found at Harryandddavid.com
*Gevalia is out with a new lifestyle gift card available through Nouveautés USA & Incentive Gourmet. Gift cards are available starting at $10 in intervals of $5. Each gift card arrives with a Gevalia catalog, which offers more than 600 gourmet items, including coffee tea, business gifts cookware and home décor. The gift cards, which can be branded with corporate logos, taglines or photos, can be redeemed online at Gevalia.com or by phone. In addition, Nouveautés USA is offering a new gourmet gift and card ensemble collection as incentives, pairing Ghirardelli chocolate bars, Gevalia coffee or Jelly Belly jellybeans with a gift card or business card wrapped in a gold box.
*American Airlines has introduced a gift card available in denominations of $50 and $100 and up to eight gift cards can be used at one time toward the purchase of a ticket. The cards can be purchased at AA.com or from a number of national grocery chains including Safeway and Kroegers. The cards can be redeemed at AA.com using the individual card number and four-digit PIN code under the scratch off area on the back of the card or via an 800 number. Print ads support the launch.
*Choice Hotels International is out with a new gift card good at 3,000 Choice Hotels locations in the U.S. Gift cards are available in denominations of $25 up to $200 and can be purchased at any Choice Hotel or online at ChoiceHotels.com. The cards, which rolled out in March, may be used like cash on any hotel incidentals. SVM, LP, Des Plaines, IL, issues and administers the gift cards.
*Regis Salon has expanded its gift card offerings in 6,000 locations with 22 salon brands. The company launched its gift card services in 2003. Gift cards are available in amounts up to $500. For more on the gift cards visit Regiscorpgiftcards.com
*Pizza Hut made its first appearance at the show to tout its gift card, which it launched in 2003. The card is redeemable at more than 6,000 Pizza Hut locations and is available with any dollar amount from $5 to $100. For more info visit Pizzahut.com .
*Bath & Body Works has added new fragrances to its line of corporate gift sets: white cherry blossom, pear blossom and Japanese cherry blossom.
*Gorton’s of Gloucester has add filet mignon and New York strip steaks to its seafood offerings. See the offerings in its catalog at Gortonsfreshseafood.com .
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