In preparation for my speaking appearance at MAPOR, I wrote about how NeoCurrency, Ipsos KnowledgePanel and NPC are modernizing survey engagement. This is an exciting time to re-imagine incentives for the market research industry.

In 2026, after 230 years in circulation, the U.S. Mint will end production of the penny. But the digital penny is alive and well, thanks to its innovative companies, which are redefining what a penny can do. Microrewards with seamless redemption make pennies even more powerful when they’re digital — no physical friction, no rounding, and no tough choices for retailers between cutting profits or raising prices when the physical pennies run out. In this week’s chat, I demo the

Last week, I asked about the "The Future of Gift Cards" while on the road in Minneapolis. Thought leaders from across the gift card spectrum responded. Today's chat is a summary of the answers, comments, themes and trends that emerged.

Pushing Outside of the Comfort Zone

This week’s Coffee Chat highlights three UK events representing the very best of our industry

Coffee Chat #28 with Eric: The Power of Showing Up. This week, we're going to talk about the power of showing up. It started while I watched Novak break another tennis record at the (USTA) United States Tennis Association's US Open this last week, which made me think of Cal Ripken Jr.’s ironman streak with the Baltimore Orioles, which led me to think about…my high school friend, Rick Goebeler.

Coffee Chat 25 with Eric: How Many People Use AI?

This week, I filmed from Frisson Espresso on 44th Street in the heart of New York City. Grab your coffee - our topic today: Trends in business travel, with a little fun as we throw in some "bleisure" and Broadway, too.

I have the ultimate work-life balance quote for you: “Don’t get so busy making a living, that you forget to make a life.” — Dolly Parton 🎶 I’m taking Dolly’s words to heart today...

I’m in the UK this week visiting our Head of UK and Euro Accounts, Kelly Hinds, and catching the buzz at MAD//FEST. But the topic for this week’s coffee chat is about our team training at NeoCurrency on CQ (Cultural Intelligence)—led by our summer intern, Parker -- as a way to help grow our global rewards business.

This week’s Coffee Chat is a little “inside baseball” for those of us in the incentive industry. As co-chair of the Incentive Gift Card Coalition Communications Committee, I’ve been in Incentive Marketing Association mode with the IMA Summit happening in Austin July 14–16. I wanted to give a personal sneak peek at this special industry event.

A few weeks ago, on June 2, the Incentive Marketing Association announced its nominees and shortlisted candidates for the 2025 IMA Awards. This is a quick thank you to the Incentive Marketing Association for naming me one of two finalists for the 2025 Incentive Industry Influencer of the Year Award.

I'm live from St. Louis this week at the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) conference. With market research on the mind, this week I ask the question: What makes a great research incentive? Hint: It’s not toasted ravioli. The Answer: An incentive that includes the "3 M's"...

IMA Global released their massive Incentive & Recognition Provider Research Report, based on input from 650 industry leaders. The report explores key trends and insights across five core incentive categories: 1. Gift Cards 2. Travel 3. Merchandise 4. Peer-to-Peer Rewards 5. Points-Based Programs

This week I'm sharing the biggest takeaway from being on location with a client in Mumbai, India. Last week Geoff Miller from NeoCurrency and I had the opportunity to visit clients and partners in Mumbai (for a loyalty conference) and Dubai. It reminded me just how valuable it is to connect with business partners in person. There’s something irreplaceable about getting out from behind the screen to meet face-to-face. Real conversations, shared meals, learning best practices..

Eric celebrates 25+ years in the incentive, gift card, and payments partnership industry with the launch of his Coffee Chat video blog series