Australia: Tourism Queensland today revealed an added incentive for companies to enter the Million Dollar Memo – a $50,000 Queensland “recce” for contenders who submit their entry by April 17.

“The buzz has been building in workplaces around the world for Tourism Queensland’s new campaign – the Million Dollar Memo – which will offer one workplace the chance to spend $1 million on Queensland travel rewards for their staff,” said Tourism Queensland CEO Mr Anthony Hayes.

“We’ve decided to up the ante by rewarding one company that gets its entry in early, the chance to win a unique Queensland incentive experience for four people valued at $50,000.”

“This will give them the chance to visit Queensland and reward themselves with a ‘reconnaissance’ of our amazing travel experiences.”

“Alternatively, they can choose 50 iPad 2 uploaded with information to help them plan a future Queensland visit.”

“Incentive travel is about motivation and employee reward and through this promotion we’re hoping to motivate companies to get their entry in early and be in with a chance to further reward their staff,” Hayes said.

Mr Hayes said the campaign aimed to position Queensland as a leading incentive travel destination.

“Corporate reward travel is big business as incentive travellers spend around 2.5 times more than regular visitors.

“Incentive travellers currently spend around $300 million in Queensland each year and we want to increase that figure,” Hayes said.

EVT an incentive travel specialist said the campaign launch was timely, as companies are starting to spend more on incentive travel.

Ms Mercedes Trautwein Managing Director from EVT Incentive Marketing said “companies big and small have had a rough ride in the past few years and are even more appreciative of their staff that have weathered the GFC.

“Now it’s time to reward and retain and this campaign is a great example of an organisation acknowledging the benefits of employee reward programs,” Trautwein said.

The competition is open to any organisation in any country with three or more staff and will run till 1 May (23.59 AEDEST).

Entrants need to create an entertaining 60 second video that shows what makes their company great and why they think Queensland is the ultimate reward destination. Entries can be submitted at www.milliondollarmemo.com.

The winner will be announced on 31 August.