The IRF board of trustees, with the Secrets Puerto Los Cabos host property in the background, were ready to welcome this year's Invitational participants.
The "happiness" theme that ran through the event was exemplified at the newcomers reception by (from left) Brett Hatch, Maui Jim; Melissa Van Dyke, IRF; Todd Zint, NFP; Sandra Daniel, FIRE Light Group; and Kim Kelly, PRG.
Brett Hatch, Maui Jim Sunglasses, and Dahlton Bennington, A Plus Meetings and Incentives, took a moment to enjoy the plentiful sunshine at the 2014 IRF Invitational.
The Hilton Los Cabos hosted a magnificent reception and dinner, capping off the opening evening with a fireworks display.
From left: Mike Ryan, Madison Performance Group; Richard Weinstein, Ocean Reef Club; and Roger Stotz, the Incentive Research Foundation
From left: Joanne Majoue, BI Worldwide; and Susan Hanlon, Palace Resorts
Nancy Childers, Childers Performance Consulting, had her smartphone ready to take pictures of her “happy places” on the way to the innovation suites luncheon as part of the IRF’s happiness game.
One of the many groups that headed off to innovation suite luncheons held throughout the property during the IRF Education Day. Their mission? To decide how they would go about inventing the incentive industry if they could start from scratch.
Trevor Roald, QuickMobile, during a lively presentation on gamification using mobile apps.
Stephen Nold, Teccsociety, serenaded the crowd during his session on how Big Data thinking will be the next evolution to transform events.
From left: Kelli Fedewa, VIKTOR, and Sandra Daniel, FIRE Light Group, enjoying a morning networking breakfast.
Scott Lockey and Tahira Endean, both with QuickMobile, enjoying some beach time during the IRF Invitational 2014.
The guests dressed in white for the "Dazzling White Night in Cabo"–themed reception/around-the-world live auction and dinner held at Secrets Marquis Los Cabos. The proceeds of the live auction, and a subsequent silent auction, are used to fund the IRF's research projects.
At the dinner and auction, from left: Marsha Reynolds, Reynolds Meeting and Event Management; Basia Border, Sutton and Associates; and Mark Hubrich, SignUp4
Debby Dubose, Conference Direct; and Mike Hadlow, Engagement Technology
Of course, this being the IRF Invitational, the golfers in the crowd were delighted to play the Cabo Real and the Puerto Los Cabos golf courses.
From left: Bich-Lien Kaldahl, United Airlines; Lisa Cherry, The Opus Group; Karolyn Graves-Rhodes, Wynn/Encore were among the many golfers who took part in the two-day golf event.
For the non-golfers, Amstar DMC sponsored a range of alternate activities, including the sightseeing tour that Rudy Garza of Spear One enjoyed with his spouse.
Snorkeling the crystal clear waters was another activity option provided by Amstar DMC.
Another group of participants chose to swim with the dolphins at the nearby Cabo Adventures facility.
For those who preferred to stay on land, camel and ATV rides were on the agenda.
MeetingsNet editor Sue Pelletier joined a group who went to Cabo Adventures' outdoor zipline activity, where rappelling, mountain climbing, and rope-bridge–crossing also got the adrenaline pumping.
The IRF's Melissa Van Dyke kicked off the final evening gala with a warm welcome.
Thanking the many sponsors who made the event possible also was on the agenda for the final night gala, which was held at the host Secrets Puerto Los Cabos and featured an "Under the Sea of Cortez" theme.
After an elegant dinner, many chose to dance off a few calories to the tunes of a live band.
Sandi Daniel, FIRE Light Group, cutting a rug with Donny Neufuss, Sonic Foundry
