Amy McCollum talks to the Future of Incentive Travel with EventMobi Q&A

October 12, 2026 // Collaboration

Portrait of a smiling blonde woman in a yellow circular frame on the left; on the right is a testimonial: “Today’s top performers are well-traveled, and a lot of them can book their own luxury resort. What they can’t replicate is that behind-the-scenes, exclusive experience, and the meaningful recognition.” — Amy McCollum, Vice President, Program Management at metroConnections.

Amy McCollum, Vice President of Program Management at metroConnections, was recently featured in EventMobi’s “How to Run Your Best Event, Ever” series, where she shared her perspective on designing meaningful incentive travel experiences for today’s top performers. Drawing on more than 18 years of experience producing corporate events and incentive programs, Amy offered practical insights into what makes incentive trips truly memorable and impact.

In the interview, Amy explains that incentive programs have evolved significantly in recent years. While luxury accommodations and premium destinations remain important, today’s attendees are seeking experiences that feel exclusive, personal, and impossible to recreate on their own. According to Amy, the most successful programs focus on making participants feel recognized and valued through thoughtful, customized experiences.

Key Takeaways from Amy’s Q&A

Personalization Creates Lasting Impact
Amy emphasizes that great incentive programs go beyond a beautiful destination. The most memorable experiences are thoughtfully tailored to attendees, with personalized touches that make participants feel individually recognized for their achievements.

Exclusivity Matters More Than Luxury
Today’s top performers are often well-traveled and can book luxury vacations on their own. Amy notes that what truly stands out are behind-the-scenes experiences, unique access, and meaningful moments of recognition that cannot be easily replicated.

The Best Planning Happens Behind the Scenes
A successful incentive trip feels effortless to attendees, but that seamless experience is supported by extensive contingency planning and duty-of-care measures. Amy highlights the importance of preparing for every scenario while keeping operational complexity invisible to guests.

Focus on the People Who Earned the Experience
Perhaps Amy’s most important takeaway is that every decision should come back to the attendees. Rather than chasing larger productions or the latest trends, planners should focus on creating meaningful experiences that celebrate top performers and their guests.

Amy’s insights reinforce a central theme for today’s incentive programs: meaningful recognition, intentional design, and personalized experiences create a greater impact than extravagance alone. As organizations continue to invest in rewarding top performers, her perspective offers a valuable road map for designing programs that inspire, engage, and leave a lasting impression.

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