IN THE NEWS
Creative Group’s Melissa Van Dyke speaks to Prevue about moving forward under new ownership.
April 25, 2024 – Venture capitalist Steve Singh, founder of Concur, acquired travel management company Direct Travel with a group of other investors earlier this month. Where does that leave incentive and events industry giant Creative Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary? Melissa Van Dyke is interviewed about this exciting news.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Celebrates Unprecedented Success and Solid ROI of Incentive Programs in 2023
February 6, 2024 – We are thrilled to announce the resounding success of its clients’ 2023 incentive programs, showcasing a remarkable return on investment and unprecedented participant engagement.
IN THE NEWS
IRR Market Report 2024: Big Potential, with Some Headwinds and Growing ROI Questions
February 2024 – Melissa Van Dyke, Senior Vice President, Integrated Marketing and Innovation, shared key insights to the Reward and Recognition Network’s Incentive Reward and Recognition Market Report for 2024.
PRESS RELEASE
Celebrating Glenn Darlington: A Pioneer in the Performance Management Industry
February 6, 2024 – Creative Group announces the retirement of Glenn Darlington, Executive Vice President, Business Development, effective June 30, 2024. Glenn Darlington has had a remarkable 40-year career in the performance management industry, with a focus on incentive recognition and rewards, group incentive travel, research, and training solutions.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Honored by Event Marketer with Experience Design & Technology Award
January 11, 2024 – Creative Group was named Bronze Award winner for Best Overall B-to-B Environment for its 2023 Raising Cane’s Timeless Horizon event. Event Marketer’s annual Experience Design & Technology Awards recognizes outstanding event design and innovative uses of event technology across a wide variety of consumer-targeted and business-to-business event formats.
IN THE NEWS
Extravagant, Budget-Conscious Events
October 17, 2023 – It’s no secret that extravagant events make a gathering stand out, and stay with attendees long after an event has ended. However, they come with a price tag. Luckily, with some creative strategies, event planners can design memorable, lavish events within or even under budget. Insights provided by Amanda Wood, Director of Event Solutions Strategy.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Named to the 2023 MeetingsNet CMI 25 List
September 1, 2023 – Once again, Creative Group has been named to the annual list of the largest U.S. Meeting and Incentive Travel Companies. The annual report from MeetingsNet, a digital magazine and website dedicated to the meetings and incentives industry, is the go-to resource for corporations looking for experienced planning partners.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group’s Manon Dicaire Awarded Top 50 Women Leaders of Toronto for 2023
July 25, 2023 – Creative Group’s new corporate gifting platform empowers businesses to build brand value, show gratitude, and build connections and trust with ease. With a mission to optimize the performance of people through engagement solutions and lasting experiences, Creative Group is poised to transform the way companies show appreciation to their customers, employees, and partners.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Introduces New Turnkey Corporate Gifting Solution
July 25, 2023 – Creative Group’s new corporate gifting platform empowers businesses to build brand value, show gratitude, and build connections and trust with ease. With a mission to optimize the performance of people through engagement solutions and lasting experiences, Creative Group is poised to transform the way companies show appreciation to their customers, employees, and partners.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Announces Strategic Restructuring to Align with New Market Trends
June 29, 2023 – Within the strategic realignment, Creative Group has announced the launch of a new Integrated Marketing and Innovation team, led by industry veteran, Melissa Van Dyke. This initiative is designed to enhance the customer experience, drive innovation, and position the company for long-term success as a brand-focused event marketing agency.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Welcomes Jim Cavanagh, Account Executive, Business Development
February 27, 2023 – “I am thrilled to welcome Jim to the business development team. He has a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a true desire to help his clients design business-changing experiences that help them thrive,” says Scott Tarnoff, Vice President, Business Development.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Welcomes Kari Lynn Larsen, Account Executive, Business Development
January 9, 2023 – “We are very excited that Kari Lynn is joining the business development team in Canada. Her depth of experience in the industry is a tremendous asset as she leads, guides, and consults clients looking for event and recognition solutions,” said Manon Dicaire, Senior Vice President, Business Development.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Welcomes Jennifer Barker, Account Executive, Business Development
December 6, 2022 – “Jennifer brings a depth of experience in brand strategy, marketing, event design, and partnership management in the meetings and events industry,” said Manon Dicaire, Senior Vice President, Business Development.
PRESS RELEASE
Introducing, AMPWorks®!
September 20, 2022 – Creative Group is very excited to launch AMPWorks – a fresh solution to activate and motivate performance. Read more!
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Named to the 2022 MeetingsNet CMI 25 List
September 7, 2022 – For the 16th consecutive year, Creative Group was named to the MeetingsNet CMI 25 list of Largest U.S. Meeting and Incentive Travel Companies.
IN THE NEWS
MeetingsNet names Creative Group’s Jamie Schwartz to the 2022 Changemakers List
July 8, 2022 – Creative Group is honored that MeetingsNet has named Jamie Schwartz, Sr. Director, Individual Performance Strategy, to their 2022 Changemakers List. Those selected are people who left a mark on the incentive industry with their innovation, resourcefulness, and results.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Announces Acquisition of Strategic Meetings and Incentives
January 31, 2022 – “The addition of Strategic Meetings and Incentives further expands our footprint in the telecommunications industry and the Southwest region of the U.S.,” said Janet Traphagen, President of Creative Group.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Proud to Welcome Briana Reyes, Account Executive, Business Development
January 12, 2022 – “Briana’s commitment to customer care and her strategic thinking bring great value to our clients. This is more important than ever as our customers reimagine their events strategy after a nearly two-year pandemic disruption,” says Scott Tarnoff, Vice President, Business Development.
IN THE NEWS
Eventex Names Creative Group’s Ellie MacPherson to the Top 100 Most Influential People in the Event Industry List
November 3, 2021 – Creative Group is honored that Eventex has named Ellie MacPherson, SVP of Customer Experience & Insights, Canada, to their Top 100 Most Influential People in the Events Industry.
IN THE NEWS
Not Your Mothers’ Incentives… Or Even Last Year’s
October 4, 2021 – Smart Meetings interviewed Janet Traphagen, President, Creative Group, to learn about her thoughts on the shifting incentive world and how we can build better incentives.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Named to the 2021 MeetingsNet CMI 25 List of Top Meeting and Incentive Companies
September 10, 2021 – For the 15th consecutive year, Creative Group was named to the MeetingsNet CMI 25 list of Largest U.S. Meeting and Incentive Travel Companies.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Proud to Welcome Amy Black as Senior Manager, Product Development
June 28, 2021 – Amy has deep ties with suppliers in our industry and she will be a great advocate for strengthening those partner relationships and leading our clients in the area of event strategy, negotiations, and contracting.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Proud to Welcome Norma Smith as Experience Design Producer
June 7, 2021 – Norma’s strength lies in taking ideas from concept to execution for customer events, brand activations, and complex general sessions. Her talents and expertise add great value to our clients looking for experiential event strategy and execution.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Proud to Welcome Karen Hudson, Account Executive, Business Development
April 26, 2021 – Karen’s extensive experience in the meetings and incentives industry will support Creative Group’s growth strategy. She has spent years supporting clients in the tech, insurance, and financial markets in the design and execution of their meetings, events, and incentive programs.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group appoints Manon Dicaire as Senior Vice President, Business Development
April 12, 2021 – “Manon has deep industry relationships and experience across many segments of the meetings and incentives industry. Her consultative approach and commitment to client relationships, along with her servant leadership skills will be valuable assets as she leads our business development team in Canada,” says Glenn Darlington, Executive Vice President, Business Development.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group appoints Jamie Schwartz to the Individual Performance Solutions Team
April 5, 2021 – Jamie Schwartz joins Creative Group, bringing 25+ years’ of incentive design experience to help our clients adapt and optimize their sales, channel, loyalty, and recognition programs.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Honored with SITE Crystal Award for Most Creative Solution Deployed at a Time of Crisis
February 9, 2021 – Creative Group, Inc., was recognized by Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) with a Crystal Award for Most Creative Solution Deployed at a Time of Crisis at the Crystal Awards Recognition Ceremony held during the 2021 SITE Hybrid Global Conference.
IN THE NEWS
Direct Travel Launches Holidays for Heroes, Seeks Nominees
December 1, 2020 – To wrap up a year marked by widespread change and industry challenges, Creative Group’s parent company, Direct Travel, is launching a community-driven initiative of celebration and renewed hope with its Holidays for Heroes giveaway.
IN THE NEWS
Creative Group Featured in MeetingsNet September Digital Edition for 2020 CMI Top 25
September 1, 2020 – Creative Group is featured in the September Digital Edition for the 2020 CMI 25 from MeetingsNet, with recent company statistics and details on our engaging technology user conference which shifted to a pay-to-attend model for 1,5000 attendees.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Named to the 2020 MeetingsNet CMI 25 List of Top Meeting and Incentive Travel Companies
September 14, 2020 – For the 14th consecutive year, Creative Group was named to the MeetingsNet CMI 25 list of Largest U.S. Meeting and Incentive Travel Companies.
PRESS RELEASE
Eventex names Creative Group’s Ellie MacPherson to the Top 100 Most Influential People in the Event Industry list
September 16, 2020 – Creative Group, a Leading Meeting, Incentive, and Recognition Company is Honoured that Eventex has named Ellie MacPherson, SVP of Operations in Canada, to their Top 100 Most Influential People in the Events Industry.
IN THE NEWS
Case Study: How a 500-Person Incentive Travel Program was Pivoted Into Motivating Individual Rewards
April 9, 2020 – In three short weeks, Creative Group designed a series of extraordinary rewards and experiences to replace a trip to Australia.
IN THE NEWS
Janet Traphagen Helping Others
March 7, 2020 – In celebration of International Women’s Day Prevue Meetings & Incentives magazine interviewed Janet Traphagen, President, Creative Group, to learn about her approach to work, coaching, and mentoring.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Receives SITE Canada ICE Award for Destination Excellence
March 3, 2020 – The SITE Canada ICE Award for Destination Excellence was presented to Creative Group at a recognition ceremony held during SITE Canada AGM in Toronto.
PRESS RELEASE
SITE Canada Recognizes Creative Group’s Diane Alexander with President’s Award and Joanne Keating with Moira Hearn Memorial Award
February 27, 2020 – Diane Alexander, Director of Operations Canada, has been honoured with the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) Canada President’s Award. Joanne Keating, Operations Manager in Canada, has received the Moira Hearn Memorial Award.
IN THE NEWS
Coronavirus Cancellations and Postponements Mount
February 4, 2020 – Travel restrictions and concerns create a fast-changing environment for meeting executives like Jerry Murphy, VP, Customer Experience, Creative Group. Meeting professionals across the world are checking their cancellation and attrition clauses as events brace for the coronavirus fallout.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Honored with SITE Crystal Award for Most Effective Incentive Marketing Campaign
February 4, 2020 – Creative Group received a SITE Crystal Award which is considered the highest honor in the Incentive Travel industry, SITE Crystal Awards recognize creative, practical, and truly memorable incentive programs that not only keep employees engaged but also drive business results and improve a business’ bottom line.
IN THE NEWS
Creative Group: Feeling Great at 50
January 9, 2020 – Creative Group celebrates its 50-year anniversary in 2020, a milestone few meeting and incentive travel companies reach in this competitive and fast-evolving industry. President Janet Traphagen, who worked her way up from an account manager role in 1996 to the top spot in 2014, has seen plenty of change over the decades.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Celebrates 50th Anniversary in Meeting & Incentives
January 7, 2020 – Creative Group is proudly celebrating its 50th anniversary. Much has changed since 1970, but Creative Group has remained at the forefront of the meetings and incentive business.
IN THE NEWS
Where Functions Meet Fun
November 20, 2019 – Laura Loebbaka, Account Manager Creative Group, talks about why Las Vegas was selected as a location for a 1,200-person annual pharmaceutical company meeting.
PRESS RELEASE
Let’s Get Creative
November 5, 2019 – In what is planned as a new era of sharing and motivation, Janet Traphagen, president of Chicago-based Creative Group, met recently with 60 members of the meetings and incentives teams from Creative Group’s Canadian operations, formerly SM+i and Meridican.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Promotes Glenn Darlington to Executive Vice President
October 29, 2019 – Darlington’s role as head of Creative Group’s sales force has been expanded to include oversight over two newly created teams: The Design and Insights team, and the Canada Business Development team.
PRESS RELEASE
Melissa Van Dyke Named to BizBash 2019 Top People in Events List
October 22, 2019 – Melissa Van Dyke, Vice President, Design and Insights, has been honored as an event industry innovator, being named to the BizBash Top 1,000 People in Events List. This list includes industry leaders from all backgrounds who are redefining live experiences, including incentive professionals like Melissa Van Dyke, as well as festival organizers, technical experts, and event producers.
PRESS RELEASE
Meridican and Strategic Meetings + Incentives Now Rebranded as Creative Group
October 11, 2019 – Effective today, Canadian meeting and incentive companies Meridican and Strategic Meetings + Incentives announced a major rebranding to reflect the acquisition of Meridican and the alignment of Strategic Meetings + Incentives under – Creative Group.
PRESS RELEASE
Direct Travel Announces Continued Meetings & Incentives Expansion Within Canada
September 18, 2019 – Direct Travel, Inc., one of the top travel management companies in North America, announced today the acquisition of Meridican, a Toronto-based Meetings & Incentive company, and the subsequent alignment of Strategic Meetings + Incentives, a division of Vision Travel, A Direct Travel Company, under the management of Creative Group, a full-service meeting, incentive, and recognition company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, USA. These companies will be rebranded Creative Group effective October 11.
IN THE NEWS
Creative Group Named to the 2019 MeetingsNet CMI 25 List of Top Meeting and Incentive Travel Companies
September 10, 2019 – “Creative Group is honored to be recognized as a leader in the corporate meetings and incentives industry for the thirteenth year in a row, having been included in the list each year since the inception of the CMI 25,” said Janet Traphagen, President, Creative Group. “Whether a meeting or incentive, the business-changing experiences that we create help our clients, their employees, and channel partners thrive. Our team knows how to deliver the personalized experiences that participants demand.”
PRESS RELEASE
Melissa Van Dyke Inducted into the Incentive Marketing Association Hall of Fame
August 27, 2019 – “The induction of Melissa into this prestigious group speaks to her commitment to the industry and the leadership and contributions she has delivered,” stated Janet Traphagen, President, Creative Group. “We are honored to have her on our team to further the use of data insights into program design for our clients,” said Traphagen.
IN THE NEWS
A Chat with Melissa Van Dyke (Prevue Magazine)
August 12, 2019 – In her upcoming role as VP of Design and Insights at Creative Group, former IRF President Melissa Van Dyke will blaze a path in a new direction by “closing the loop” between data and practice.
PRESS RELEASE
Melissa Van Dyke to Lead Creative Group’s New Design and Insights Effort
July 16, 2019 – The position will support the company’s strategic vision of Thrivability℠ and will focus on combining data insights with experience design using Creative Group’s proprietary design methodology, i|xperience®. Van Dyke will draw from her decades of experience in consulting and research, most recently as President of the Incentive Research Foundation, to provide Creative Group’s clients both behavioral insights on their programs and better strategies for unlocking engagement in their core audiences.
IN THE NEWS
Understanding the Hidden Dangers Before an Event Helps Avoid Problems Later
June 5, 2019 – Rebecca Wright, CIS, CITP, director, account operations, with Creative Group, Inc. and member of SITE’s international board of directors, lists the top three things she thinks are critical to minimizing risk outside of hotel contracts.
IN THE NEWS
Help me help you: working with procurement for success in group sales
May 9, 2019 – Tom Hillmer, Senior Vice President/Account Executive with Creative Group, believes that procurement influences all major industries ranging from auto and insurance to pharma and more. “Procurement is the gatekeeper in many companies, driving the global cost-saving and risk mitigation initiatives for many major corporations,” said Tom.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Proud to Welcome Jamie Howard, Account Executive, Business Development
April 30, 2019 – Howard’s extensive experience in the meeting, incentive, and group incentive travel business will support Creative Group’s growth. He will focus on creating incentive solutions for clients designed to align the behaviors of employees, sales teams, and channel partners with desired results.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Wins an American Advertising Award for the 14th Year
March 5, 2019 – Creative Group, Inc., a full-service meeting, incentive, and recognition company, today announced that it has won an American Advertising Award. This marks the 14th year that Creative Group has been recognized with an American Advertising Award for its creative work.
IN THE NEWS
Incentive Research Foundation Elects 2019 Officers and Welcomes Five Incentives Industry Leaders to Board of Trustees
January 31, 2019 – Creative Group President, Janet Traphagen, continues her role on the IRF Board of Trustees. Representing all segments of the incentives, rewards, and recognition industry, the IRF Board of Trustees leads the foundation in meeting its mission of conducting research and providing education highlighting the premise and the power of incentive and motivational programs. The Board recently met to review the foundation’s Vision 2020 plan and launch strategic planning through 2025.
IN THE NEWS
Creative Group i|xperience® Process Reflects Emphasis on Program Design
January 22, 2019 – Creative Group Senior Vice President Shireen Moore and Experience Design Director Pete Dufner share with RRN the company’s new approach to event design called i|xperience®. The process, they say, focuses on achieving client goals by emphasizing a systematic program design approach based on the six “I’s” of experience to change behavior before, during, and after events.
IN THE NEWS
Creative Group Sponsors Behavioral Grooves Podcast
January 21, 2019 – The neurological effects of music are discussed along with research into the motivations for pro-social behavior.
IN THE NEWS
Meeting Budgets Growing
December 11, 2018 – Careful Calculating and Negotiating Can Help Planners Achieve Event Goals
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group’s Rebecca Wright Named to SITE Board to Advance Incentive Travel Excellence
October 31, 2018 – SITE, the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence, has named Rebecca Wright to its international board of directors.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Named to the 2018 MeetingsNet CMI 25
September 11, 2018 – For the 12th consecutive year, Creative Group named to the MeetingsNet CMI 25 list of Largest Meeting and Incentive Travel Companies
IN THE NEWS
M&A Boom: A Remarkable Year for the CMI 25
September 10, 2018 – Mergers and acquisitions are often a sign of a mature industry, as established operators buy up competitors to strengthen their positions through better negotiating power, new technologies, and broader service lines.
IN THE NEWS
Creative Group Named to the 2018 MeetingsNet CMI 25
September 7, 2018 – Creative Group was named to MeetingsNet’s annual list of the largest meeting and incentive companies focused on the North American corporate market.
IN THE NEWS
Incentive Podcast: How to Measure the ROI of Reward Programs
July 26, 2018 – We discuss how to accurately measure ROI and how the concept has evolved just in the last year or two; what metrics matter, and how to be sure you’re getting the most out of the data you already have.
PRESS RELEASE
Managers of Corporate Incentive, Reward, and Recognition Programs Discuss Career Paths and Challenges
July 25, 2018 – The Incentive Research Foundation is pleased to release “Voice of the Market, Part 2: Engaging Program Owners in the Incentives Marketplace,” a qualitative study of how incentive program managers, program owners, and end-users learn about and engage in the incentives industry. Voice of the Market, Part 2: Engaging Program Owners in the Incentives Marketplace was supported by IRF Research Advocacy Partner, Creative Group
PRESS RELEASE
SITE Chicago and Creative Group Bring CIS Certification to Chicagoland Area
July 2, 2018 – SITE Chicago and Creative Group offer an exclusive educational opportunity for emerging incentive industry professionals.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Launches Pinpointe™ App
May 15, 2018 – Creative Group introduces Pinpointe app designed to help manage risk and keep participants connected.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Appoints Pete Dufner as Experience Design Director
May 3, 2018 – Pete Dufner named Experience Design Director for Creative Group, a leading meeting, incentive, and recognition company.
IN THE NEWS
Coastal Cachet: Business-Friendly Beach Resorts Offer Planners the Best of Both Worlds
May 1, 2018 – Tom Hillmer, senior vice president, and account executive with Creative Group, found SLS Baha Mar in the Bahamas to be the perfect beachfront location for a client’s April 2018 meeting with 100 attendees.
IN THE NEWS
Getting Up To Speed with GDPR
March 2018 – GDPR compliance is everyone’s responsibility according to Jerry Murphy, VP of customer experience.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Wins an American Advertising Award
February 21, 2018 – Creative Group Inc., a performance improvement company, today announced that it has won a gold American Advertising Award for work created for Ajinomoto Windsor in Ontario, CA, in support of its broker incentive program. This marks the 13th year that Creative Group has been recognized with an American Advertising Award.
IN THE NEWS
4 Tips for Making Incentive Travel Meaningful
February 14, 2018 – The shared experience of group travel has been shown to bring people together in powerful ways. “The bonds created during a group incentive trip can help propel the trajectory of the winner’s career and create a more connected workforce,” Spero said in a white paper titled “Navigating the New Global Business Marketplace.” She compares this community-building effect between co-workers and management to welcoming employees to “the club.” Sharing time outside the office opens lines of communication and offers opportunities to have candid discussions about business strategies and missions.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Appoints Scott Tarnoff as Account Executive, Business Development
September 28, 2017 – “It’s apparent that Scott’s passion is for delivering solutions to his clients that enable their employees and channel partners to reach their full potential,” says Glenn Darlington, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Creative Group. “He has experienced success in similar roles with Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries.”
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Appoints Mark Warman as Vice President, Business Services
September 25, 2017 – “Mark’s experience in global event marketing, combined with his ability to help grow a technology start-up company perfectly positions him for his work at Creative Group, said Janet Traphagen, Creative Group president.”
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Named to the 2017 MeetingsNet CMI 25 List of Top Meeting and Incentive Travel Companies
September 8, 2017 – “Creative Group is honored to be recognized as a leader in the corporate meetings and incentives industry for the eleventh year in a row, having been included in the list each year since the inception of the CMI 25,” said Janet Traphagen, President, Creative Group. “Whether a meeting or incentive, the business-changing experiences that we create for our clients help their employees and channel partners thrive.”
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Announces Acquisition of The Performance Group
September 6, 2017 – “I’m excited to have found just the right buyer whose core values align with ours. Creative Group complements The Performance Group, providing additional depth and services that will amplify our current offerings and carry our experienced team, and our clients, into the future beautifully,” notes Suzanne Ashton of The Performance Group.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Names Glenn Darlington as Senior Vice President, Business Development
August 28, 2017 – “I’m excited to be working with the seasoned, talented Creative Group team and the diverse client portfolio that they have built over the past 45 years,” Darlington said. “I look forward to working with clients to help them create business-changing experiences using solid performance management strategies.”
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group launches EventAPP™
July 25, 2017 – “Because our EventAPP is designed by creators of group experiences, it delivers a more personalized two-way communication that truly engages the audience at every stage of a program,” said Creative Group President, Janet Traphagen.
IN THE NEWS
Continuing Hotel Seller’s Market Affecting Meeting Planners
June 9, 2017 – Shireen Moore, senior vice president of marketing at Creative Group, reported getting “turn-downs or pressure from hotels to commit and limited hold times” in Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Ireland for programs in 2019 and 2020.
IN THE NEWS
Creating a Winning Sales Incentive Program
May 9, 2017 – “What I value most in my incentive partner,” says Clark, “is a strategic thought process, which challenges us to find new areas of our business.” Creative Group, “asked me a lot of questions about things that were normal to me. [But] I learned to appreciate and value those conversations because they caused me to reexamine my business.”
IN THE NEWS
Meetings Should Be a Victory Lap
May 3, 2017 – Creative Group’s Customer Experience team leader takes a few minutes with MeetingsNet to talk about the importance of collaboration and planning—and the eventual demise of the registration desk.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Wins Two American Advertising Awards
February 26, 2017 – Creative Group Inc., a performance improvement company, today announced that it has won two Silver American Advertising Awards. This marks the 12th year that Creative Group has been recognized with an American Advertising Award for its creative work.
IN THE NEWS
What the Trump Administration Means for the Meetings and Events Industry
January 31, 2017 – For now, it’s wait and see — “with a heavy dose of nervousness,” said Janet Traphagen, president of Creative Group and chair of the Incentive Research Foundation. “This administration seems to be quite reactionary. I think that’s a concern that we’ve heard from our customers.”
IN THE NEWS
Tech to the Rescue
December 2016 – Successful Meetings Magazine highlights success stories of meeting planners who found creative solutions to challenging problems.
IN THE NEWS
8th Annual Motivation Masters Award Finalists
December 1, 2016 – Creative Group has been recognized as a finalist to receive a motivation masters award. These awards celebrate the best, most effective, and most creative incentive and engagement programs of the year.
IN THE NEWS
25 Most Influential People in the Incentive Industry
November 21, 2016 – Incentive Magazine recognizes the men and women whose efforts have made an impact on the motivation industry in 2016.
IN THE NEWS
The 15th Annual Industry Roundtable
October 11, 2016 – Incentive thought leaders see a growing focus on non-sales employees and experiential rewards in programs.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group, Inc. Employee Awarded Scholarship to Attend College of Extraordinary Experiences
October 6, 2016 – Courtney Spero of Creative Group, Inc., a performance improvement company, was awarded a scholarship to attend a one-of-a-kind experience design conference. The College of Extraordinary Experiences is being held November 10-13, 2016, and offers the opportunity to learn about experience design from world-class creators.
IN THE NEWS
Top 25 Women in the Meetings Industry
October 1, 2016 – Janet Traphagen was recognized for her leadership skills and role as chair of the board of trustees for the Incentive Research Foundation.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group, Inc. Named To The 10th Annual MeetingsNet CMI 25 List
September 6, 2016 – Creative Group has been named to the MeetingsNet 2016 CMI 25 list, an annual directory of the largest and most influential full-service meeting and incentive travel management companies focused on the U.S. corporate meetings and incentives industry.
IN THE NEWS
Creative Group Joins March to Full-Service Solutions
July 29, 2016 – “Whether we expand our services through organic growth, acquisitions of companies, or technology that helps us bring a competitive platform to our clients, our goal going forward is to focus on helping organizations overcome performance gaps and solve business challenges. That means being rewards-neutral.”
IN THE NEWS
Incentive Attendees Meet and Eat With Locals
July 16, 2016 – After Brian Kelley, an account executive at Creative Group, attended his company’s sales meeting in Ireland, he couldn’t wait to organize a client incentive there. The highlight of the trip was dinner in an Irish family’s home. “It felt like Thanksgiving,” Kelley says, with three generations of family members welcoming their guests with music, stories, and food.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Relocates to Larger Office
March 7, 2016 – Moving from a highly enclosed, office-centric workplace the new space allows for both focus and collaboration. The open floor plan will emphasize teamwork and transparency as well as creative use of design and color. The move stems from Creative Group’s unprecedented growth in recent years. The new office space means room for its growing employee base, new amenities, and even more room for expansion.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Announces Acquisition of Masterplan
January 31, 2016 – In keeping with their business strategy and operational plan to expand through acquisition and organic growth, this move marks Creative Group’s first acquisition this year. Founded in 1991, Masterplan is recognized for its impeccable level of service, creating custom meetings and events throughout the world for its diverse client base.
IN THE NEWS
Creative Rebranding Initiative: Let’s Thrive
January 12, 2016 – At an all-company meeting in mid-December, Creative Group’s 150 employees started the day with plain white name badges and tent cards. But when they returned to their seats after lunch, the scene had changed.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Announces New Website and Brand Messaging, Highlights Expertise in Corporate Performance Solutions
January 12, 2016 – Creative Group Inc., a full-service performance improvement company, today announced its new brand messaging along with the launch of a new, enhanced website that details the depth and breadth of its offerings in an exciting, visually appealing, and easy-to-navigate design.
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group, Inc. Named to the 9th Annual MeetingsNet “CMI 25” List
September 12, 2015 – Creative Group has been named to the 2015 “CMI 25” list, showcasing the largest and most influential full-service meeting and incentive travel management companies focused on the U.S. corporate meetings and incentives industry.
IN THE NEWS
GDTB Playmakers
August 17, 2015 –
PRESS RELEASE
Creative Group Appoints Maritza Zaenger, SVP Employee Services
June 18, 2015 – Maritza Zaenger joins the senior leadership team bringing her HR experience in employee recognition, training, and recruitment.
IN THE NEWS
IRF Invitational 2015: Back to the Future, and Then Some
May 29, 2015 – First-ever IRF Visionary Award presented by Janet Traphagen, IRF Board Vice-Chair
IN THE NEWS
Europe Emerging
May/June 2015 – Madrid was the final stop for 500 top performers on a 5-day incentive organized by Creative Group Vice President Chuck Czaplewski for a major insurance company.
IN THE NEWS
The Imperatives for Modern ERP Software – CIO Review
May 6, 2015 – Technology solutions make it possible to build better relationships with people inside your organization and those you work with externally.
IN THE NEWS
Food & Wine Themes Capture the Essence of the Mediterranean
May 4, 2015 – Creative Group Vice President Chuck Czaplewski took 300 top-tier incentive winners from a financial services company to Lisbon, which he calls one of his “favorite go-to destinations” because of its value.
PRESS RELEASE
Direct Travel Announces Acquisition of Creative Group, Inc
April 2, 2015 – Creative Group is pleased to announce that it has been acquired by Direct Travel, one of the nation’s leading travel management companies.
IN THE NEWS
Janet Traphagen Named President of Creative Group
Jan 2015 – Creative Group has elevated Janet Traphagen, current EVP of sales and marketing and a 24-year veteran of the meetings and events industry, to president of Creative Group.
IN THE NEWS
Instagram It! Experiences Are the Hottest Incentive Amenity
Jan 2015 – Incentive travel has always been about offering experiences that qualifiers typically couldn’t arrange—or afford—on their own. Your attendees want personal, authentic, unique experiences where they can snap selfies and share their awesomeness on Facebook and Twitter. Learn more in this MeetingsNet Webinar.
