Latest news with #Invitational
Skift
2 days ago
- Business
- Skift
How AI, Gen Z, and Geopolitics Are Reshaping Incentive Travel
More than 500 incentive travel professionals converged at the new AVA Resort Cancun this week for the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) Invitational, raising just under half a million dollars in the process. IRF President Stephanie Harris addressed artificial intelligence, positioning it as an ally rather than a threat. In recent IRF research, 63% of respondents said they either use AI or that they will to support incentive travel planning. The primary uses include private program materials, planning, and forecasting. 'AI is designed to enhance, never to replace,' Harris said. The core strength of incentive travel remains human interaction, or 'HI,' according to Harris. 'The relationship economy means taking a human-first approach. And as we navigate the increasing mistrust of what's in our email, and what is on our social feeds, actual relationships equal trust. Human interaction equals transparency.' She encouraged prioritizing face-to-face connections, despite slower speeds or inefficiencies, over digital alternatives. Harris also highlighted the generational transition underway, noting how rapidly shifting tech skill sets are affecting the industry. 'Over the next five years, 39% of the tech skill sets that we have in this room today are going to be outdated,' she said. 'Gen Z is coming in hot, with new ideas and approaches, and they are adept with technology in ways that frequently astonish and sometimes embarrass me.' Incentive Travel Steady Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty While geopolitical issues and tariffs were key topics, the overall sentiment was cautious optimism, given the long-term nature of incentive planning. 'So far in '25, there have been a lot of OMG moments, but for the rest of the year, we're really not seeing a lot of big change,' said Janet Traphagen, president of Creative Group, during the closing panel. 'In speaking with our customers, they're definitely hunkering down and looking at long-term strategies like their supply chains,' she added. Traphagen shared how one client, early in the Trump administration, relocated an incentive trip from the U.S. to the Caribbean. 'But overall, we have not seen a lot of movement. I think this has made people take a breath and say, 'Let's just see what really happens.' So the impact has not been big, but it has not been zero either.' Another panelist, Chris Johnson, director, global travel and enterprise events at Land O' Lakes, expects continued uncertainty. '2026 is going to have a lot of unpredictability, and probably '27 as well,' he said. 'We need to have some patience and empathy, instead of pushing our top executives to, let's say, get that contract we need signed by next week. Trust me, they're probably not thinking about that event or that contract signature as much as they are about the changing climate within their business.' New Research from the IRF Johnson and the other panelists referred to how they use IRF research in their decision-making and planning. Newly released studies focus on Building a Culture of Recognition and European Attendees Preferences, and are free on the IRF web site.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Paige Spiranac reveals celebrity that drove her nuts on the golf course: 'Unbelievably slow'
After building up an incredible following over the past few years as one of the world's top golf influencers, Paige Spiranac has found herself playing with some pretty big-name celebrities. But there's one movie star in particular that blonde bombshell might be avoiding when it comes to hitting the links. Spiranac, a former college golfing champion, revealed some of the biggest celebrities that she has played rounds with, then also sharing which one was the absolute slowest on the course. 'At Genesis (Invitational), they did a celebrity Ryder Cup. My partner was Nick Jonas and we played against … Chris Pratt. He was very slow,' Spiranac said during an appearance this week on the Vanity Index Podcast. 'Might be the slowest golfer I've ever played with. Super nice guy, unbelievably slow. 'We were like four holes behind on a nine-hole little thing. And they were like, 'You need to speed it up.' He had all these people around him and he'd tell, like, these amazing stories. And we were like, 'Hit the golf ball.'' After her revelation began going viral, she even playfully doubled-down on it on social media. 'One thing about me is that I hate slow play lol sorry Chris,' she wrote on X while sharing the video clip. 'It took us over 3 hours and 30 min to play 9 holes for context,' she also commented on Instagram. Before roasting Pratt, who has starred in blockbuster movie franchises like Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy and the Jurassic World series, Spiranac also shared that the most famous celebrities that she has played with were Mark Wahlberg and Justin Timberlake. She said that herself and the two actors were in a foursome with golf legend Gary Player. Pratt has participated in several pro-am events over the years. In June 2024, he took part in the Workday Golden Cub Memorial Pro-Am and was paired up with Peyton Manning and PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy. Paige Spiranac shares secrets about her dating life and college crush on PGA Tour star Paige Spiranac's 'conservative' outfit still too much for some golf fans
Toronto Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Paige Spiranac reveals celebrity that drove her nuts on the golf course: 'Unbelievably slow'
"He had all these people around him and he'd tell, like, these amazing stories. And we were like, 'Hit the golf ball.'" Paige Spiranac poses for a photo at an Arizona golf course. Twitter After building up an incredible following over the past few years as one of the world's top golf influencers, Paige Spiranac has found herself playing with some pretty big-name celebrities. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account But there's one movie star in particular that blonde bombshell might be avoiding when it comes to hitting the links. Spiranac, a former college golfing champion, revealed some of the biggest celebrities that she has played rounds with, then also sharing which one was the absolute slowest on the course. 'At Genesis (Invitational), they did a celebrity Ryder Cup. My partner was Nick Jonas and we played against … Chris Pratt. He was very slow,' Spiranac said during an appearance this week on the Vanity Index Podcast . 'Might be the slowest golfer I've ever played with. Super nice guy, unbelievably slow. Jon McCarthy has something for every golfer, with a notably Canadian slant. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We were like four holes behind on a nine-hole little thing. And they were like, 'You need to speed it up.' He had all these people around him and he'd tell, like, these amazing stories. And we were like, 'Hit the golf ball.'' After her revelation began going viral, she even playfully doubled-down on it on social media. 'One thing about me is that I hate slow play lol sorry Chris,' she wrote on X while sharing the video clip. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It took us over 3 hours and 30 min to play 9 holes for context,' she also commented on Instagram. Before roasting Pratt, who has starred in blockbuster movie franchises like Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy and the Jurassic World series, Spiranac also shared that the most famous celebrities that she has played with were Mark Wahlberg and Justin Timberlake. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. She said that herself and the two actors were in a foursome with golf legend Gary Player. Pratt has participated in several pro-am events over the years. In June 2024, he took part in the Workday Golden Cub Memorial Pro-Am and was paired up with Peyton Manning and PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy. Read More Canada Toronto Maple Leafs Sunshine Girls Columnists Canada
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
National Duals Invitational Announces Loaded Field for Inaugural $1M College Wrestling Event
Tickets go on sale May 23 at 10 a.m. OKLAHOMA CITY, May 15, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Duals Invitational, a groundbreaking $1 million collegiate wrestling event sponsored by Paycom, has announced its inaugural 16-team field. Tickets for the premier tournament – which will take place Nov. 15-16 at BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma – go on sale May 23. Cornell, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, NC State, Nebraska, Northern Iowa, Ohio State, Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech all received automatic entry by finishing in the top 12 of the previous NCAA Championships. The field is rounded out by Arizona State, Lehigh, Little Rock, Missouri and Wyoming, who were randomly selected from teams that finished 13-24 in the NCAA standings. Together, the 16 programs represent some of the most storied traditions in collegiate wrestling, combining for more than 60 NCAA team titles and over 450 individual national champions. "The National Duals Invitational is about elevating the sport," said Matt Surber, tournament director. "We want to create an event that wrestlers dream of competing in – something that brings national attention, rewards programs and grows wrestling's footprint. We look forward to an exciting weekend of high-stakes duals and incredible competition." Teams will compete for unprecedented prize money featuring a total purse of more than $1 million. The top eight teams will earn payouts, with the winning squad walking away with $200,000. The second- and third-place teams will earn $150,000, while fourth place earns $75,000. Fifth- through eighth-place payouts will be: $50,000, $40,000, $25,000, and $20,000, respectively. All participating teams will receive $20,000 for attending. Thirty-four-time NCAA champion Oklahoma State is serving as the host school. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning May 23 at 10 a.m. CT through Ticketmaster and the BOK Center Box Office. For updates and more information, visit About the National Duals Invitational The National Duals Invitational is a premier collegiate wrestling event featuring 16 of the top NCAA Division I teams competing for a total purse of more than $1 million. Hosted at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Invitational offers substantial payouts to participating programs, including $200,000 to the championship team. The National Duals Invitational is sponsored by Paycom and hosted by 34-time NCAA champion Oklahoma State University. View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Matt SurberNational Duals Invitationalpress@
Business Wire
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Wire
National Duals Invitational Announces Loaded Field for Inaugural $1M College Wrestling Event
OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Duals Invitational, a groundbreaking $1 million collegiate wrestling event sponsored by Paycom, has announced its inaugural 16-team field. Tickets for the premier tournament – which will take place Nov. 15-16 at BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma – go on sale May 23. Cornell, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, NC State, Nebraska, Northern Iowa, Ohio State, Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech all received automatic entry by finishing in the top 12 of the previous NCAA Championships. The field is rounded out by Arizona State, Lehigh, Little Rock, Missouri and Wyoming, who were randomly selected from teams that finished 13-24 in the NCAA standings. Together, the 16 programs represent some of the most storied traditions in collegiate wrestling, combining for more than 60 NCAA team titles and over 450 individual national champions. 'The National Duals Invitational is about elevating the sport,' said Matt Surber, tournament director. 'We want to create an event that wrestlers dream of competing in – something that brings national attention, rewards programs and grows wrestling's footprint. We look forward to an exciting weekend of high-stakes duals and incredible competition.' Teams will compete for unprecedented prize money featuring a total purse of more than $1 million. The top eight teams will earn payouts, with the winning squad walking away with $200,000. The second- and third-place teams will earn $150,000, while fourth place earns $75,000. Fifth- through eighth-place payouts will be: $50,000, $40,000, $25,000, and $20,000, respectively. All participating teams will receive $20,000 for attending. Thirty-four-time NCAA champion Oklahoma State is serving as the host school. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning May 23 at 10 a.m. CT through Ticketmaster and the BOK Center Box Office. For updates and more information, visit The National Duals Invitational is a premier collegiate wrestling event featuring 16 of the top NCAA Division I teams competing for a total purse of more than $1 million. Hosted at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Invitational offers substantial payouts to participating programs, including $200,000 to the championship team. The National Duals Invitational is sponsored by Paycom and hosted by 34-time NCAA champion Oklahoma State University.
