by Lisa Grimaldi |
July 01, 2006
With fuel prices
soaring to record highs, gasoline gift cards are becoming
a hot corporate gift idea.
Indeed, gas card sales are booming, according to Pam Gerhardt,
senior vice president of marketing at SVM, a Des Plaines,
Ill.-based firm that specializes in gift cards for the incentives
market. “We’ve had interest in the past few months from new
industries and companies that want to use the cards for rewards,
employee recognition and appreciation.”
Gerhardt also noted that SVM, which co-brands gift cards for
major gas companies, is now selling very few for less than $50
(cards are available in increments of $15, $25, $50, $100 and
more).
Among SVM’s new clients is the Houston-based Methodist Hospital
System; in May, the organization rewarded its 10,000 staff members
with Chevron gift cards valued at $250.
“Rising gas prices were brought up by employees during our
past two company meetings,” said a spokesperson for Methodist
Hospital. “This was a way to show them our appreciation.”