For Immediate Release
Contact: Sara O’Neil or Veronica Ferguson
Marketing and Public Relations
[email protected]
[email protected]
This year’s annual event featured an innovative, experiential, and heartwarming Art of Travel auction experience crafted through the power of storytelling.
Meetings & Incentives Worldwide (M&IW), a leading global event management and strategy firm, is excited to share that their recent global giveback initiative raised $8,240 for the Verkanos Art Center located in Kigali, Rwanda. They were excited to re-connect their attendees with the world, re-explore the gift of giving, and together, re-build the future for the young aspiring artists through the Art of Travel auction experience.
Travel Inspires Us!
This amazing journey started with a life-changing trip to the country of Rwanda best told by the voices of the children.
Connections Bond Us!
Travel allows us to be immersed in local cultures, to make new discoveries, and most importantly, to create bonds through shared experiences. “This trip to Rwanda was transformational – and the force of the pause in travel due to the pandemic made its significance that much more impactful!” said Tina Madden, Co-CEO and Chief Customer Officer. During the M&IW Summit, Tina brought customers, employees, and industry partners along on her journey to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, her closeup with silverback mountain gorillas, and her visit to the Verkanos Art Center where the young artists left an imprint on her heart. Many of the attendees commented this was their favorite aspect of the event in learning more about the beauty of Africa, its history, and its people.
Experiences Change Us!
M&IW brought the Art of Travel auction experience to life through storytelling. They sponsored beautiful custom paintings and hand-woven baskets from Rwanda. Items were available for bid on the event’s digital platform, plus there was a “live” auction at the event. While online bidding sites are not new, creating a hybrid experience that connects your attendees to a destination through art, gifting, and giving back is an innovative and impactful approach in leveraging both digital and in-person event elements. Attendees were able to place bids prior to the event and engage on the digital platform and with each other. The live presentation and auction at the event created excitement and anticipation.
About M&IW’s Global Giveback Program
In 2014, Meetings & Incentives Worldwide was recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in America and made the Inc. 5000 List. At the Inc. 500 | 5000 Conference, Jean Johnson, Co-CEO, was inspired by Adam Grant, bestselling author of ‘Give and Take.’ She set an ambitious goal to create a best-in-class program that would benefit all our employees working across the globe and started Project Global Giveback. The program provides paid time off for employees to support their charities of choice along with matching donations. There are continuous giving campaigns throughout the year by the M&IW employees; and annually, the organization selects one large cause or charity to support in conjunction with their annual signature event.
