Stephanie Harris has been appointed the new president of The Incentive Research Foundation (IRF). She will begin her new position on October 28, after ten years with American Express Meetings & Events. As the chief staff executive, Harris will lead the strategic development of research and education initiatives serving all segments of the global incentive and recognition industry.
“The IRF Board of Trustees is delighted to welcome Stephanie Harris as the IRF’s new president,” said Mike May, current chair of the IRF Trustees and president of Brightspot Incentives & Events in a statement. “Stephanie brings her industry knowledge, event background, and passion for research at a critical time as the IRF creates its Vision 2025 and develops a strategy to increase our impact on the incentives industry.”
Previously, as a member of the American Express Meetings & Events’ senior leadership team, Harris was responsible for global marketing, thought leadership, and event services strategy. Harris designed and managed the American Express Global Meetings Industry Forecast, an annual research-based publication on the state of meetings that has become an industry bellwether. Harris’s industry experience also includes eight years as division vice president at Maritz, where she launched Travel Insight, a proprietary conjoint research methodology, and product designed to optimize incentive travel programs.
“The IRF is an organization I have long-admired with an outstanding board,” said Harris. “I’m excited to have the opportunity build on the strong research platform and help guide the IRF into the next phase, with a focus on driving even deeper engagement with incentives professionals.”
Kari Vrba, incoming 2020 IRF chair and senior vice president, business development, MotivAction, added: “We look forward to Stephanie’s strong leadership as we develop our 2020 research docket, plan for the 2020 Education Invitational in the Dominican Republic and continue to engage with the incentives community.”
The IRF, in conjunction with Prevue, is hosting Meet Well 2020, an exclusive two-day event January 3-4, 2020, at Marco Island Beach Resort, FL. For more information, click here.
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