Disney: Keeping Employees Content Through Incentives

Rewarding employees with incentives is a top priority for many companies. Research has shown that companies that keep their employees happy, whether through free trips or experiential rewards, have improved performance.

PROMO P&I talked to Anne Hamilton-Chehab, VP-Resort Sales & Services for the Orlando, FL-based Walt Disney Parks & Resorts about Disney Incentive Rewards to learn how companies use Disney-themed incentives and programs to keep employees motivated and what Disney is doing with its incentive offerings to keep up with industry trends.

Hamilton-Chehab is in charge of the team responsible for all marketing, sales and service efforts related to meetings, conventions and incentive programs at the Walt Disney World Resort and on Disney Cruise Line ships.

PROMO: What types of employee incentives does Walt Disney Parks & Resorts offer companies?
HAMILTON-CHEHAB: We offer a variety of incentive opportunities in our resorts, theme parks and aboard our Disney Cruise Line ships. All of these can be customized to fit the group’s needs. What makes Disney incentives even more special is that they’re typically experiences that participants could never have on their own. Private events in the Disney Theme Parks are a great example. Nothing says “special” like have a signature Disney attraction or a part of a Theme Park for your group’s exclusive use. We also offer individual incentives through our Disney Incentive Rewards, a certificate program that provides complete vacation experiences at the Walt Disney World Resort and aboard our Disney Cruise Line ships.

PROMO: What are the most popular types of incentives that Disney offers?
HAMILTON-CHEHAB: You can’t put your finger on just one. Organizations have different goals and objectives, and we create experiences specifically tailored to each organization’s need and the preferences of their award winners. We’ve created memorable experiences such as a full-scale Hollywood movie premiere at the Disney-MGM Studios— with red carpet arrival and screaming fans — or a private sunset safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park followed by dinner in an exotic African village.

PROMO: How have the incentive programs changed over the last few years based on the needs of the industry?
HAMILTON-CHEHAB: We continue to see more and more organizations looking to add professional development content to their agendas. Organizations not only want to reward top performers, but they want to enhance their professional skills and convey important messages. This makes our Disney Institute programs very popular with incentive groups.

PROMO: Disney is a popular employee-motivating award. Are clients asking for anything new or different with the award?
HAMILTON-CHEHAB: Training is a big part of the incentive business, and companies are always interested in how Disney operates. Our Disney Institute programs are very popular in fulfilling that need. These innovative programs take participants behind the scenes of Disney to benchmark our best practices and strategies. Topics areas include customer service, leadership and organizational creativity.

PROMO: How has the changing demographics in the workforce (i.e. the aging baby boomers) affected the types of incentives awards you offer?
HAMILTON-CHEHAB: Our resorts, theme parks and cruise ships have always appealed to a broad demographic, which is one of the reasons we think Disney is a perennially popular incentive destination. However, over the years the incentive planners and participants have grown more sophisticated in their tastes. Today we have a lot more nightlife, golf and spa options than we had ten years ago— to mention the addition of Disney Cruise Line. Another change over the years has been demand for greater product flexibility. That reflects how the fundamentals of incentives have changed. Flexibility of product is as important to clients as is the quality of the product. We offer land-based rewards, sea-based rewards, combinations of the two, as well as group programs and individual incentives. That kind of diversity and a constantly changing portfolio of products adds to our popularity as an incentive destination.

PROMO: What are some of the challenges in selling incentives today?
HAMILTON-CHEHAB: The biggest challenge is continuing to showcase unique and creative ideas to the market. As a destination, you always have to keep your offerings fresh and exciting.

PROMO: What are some tips you can offer others in the field to run a successful incentive program or employees?
HAMILTON-CHEHAB: Know your employees, understand what motivates them, and be creative. Don’t just reward for the job well done, but for the job they are about to do.