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Setting the stage for what’s next in incentives
This July, the 2025 Incentive Marketing Association (IMA) Summit brought together the brightest minds in the rewards and incentives space. From market-shaping trends to the future of digital engagement, the week was packed with insight and momentum. For Runa, it all started with CEO Aron Alexander, onstage and in conversation, sharing a vision for where the industry is headed.
Gift cards go global: strategies for cross-border success
One of the most buzzworthy sessions at the summit explored strategies for cross-border success, featuring Runa CEO Aron Alexander in conversation with global experts Peter Friend (Global Hotel Card by Expedia), Elish Meyers (EVP of Retail, Card Compliant), and Stoytcho Vlaykov (Founder & Managing Director, Cashwave).
One theme echoed loud and clear: global scale is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s a necessity. Aron joined industry leaders to unpack what it really takes to go global, from navigating regulatory complexity to building localized reward networks. As demand for digital rewards accelerates across loyalty, recognition, and disbursement programs, the companies that win will be those who move fast, with flexibility, localization, and modern tech at the core.
Key takeaways from the session included:
- Localization and flexibility are key to global success
- Technology and compliance are non-negotiables in international scale
- Global demand for gift cards unlocks new revenue streams for merchants
At Runa, we’re already enabling that global scale. Our global network of 5,000+ payout options enables businesses to deliver rewards from popular merchants worldwide. For merchants in the Runa Network, it means the ability to scale gift card programs with access to over 20 million recipients globally with no added friction.
Security isn’t a feature. It’s the foundation
In nearly every conversation we had, one priority stood out: security. Merchants, partners, and recipients all want the same thing: unshakable trust that every gift card transaction is protected.
At Runa, we’ve built that trust into our platform. Runa Assure, our multi-layered security and compliance suite, is designed to proactively protect revenue and reputation. From anomaly detection and IP allowlisting to PCI DSS compliance and end-to-end encryption, every transaction that runs through Runa is backed by robust, real-time protection.
Frictionless experiences win. Every time.
Another hot topic? User experience. The consensus was evident: recipients want to access, and enjoy their rewards instantly. Clunky steps or slow interfaces just don’t cut it anymore. Every extra click or delay risks a drop in engagement.
That’s why Runa prioritizes a frictionless UX at every step of the journey. From mobile-first design to instant redemption, our goal is to make every interaction seamless and enjoyable. Because when the experience is effortless, engagement and impact skyrockets.
Hear what our partners have to say
We took it to the hallways at IMA to get real-time insights from the partners shaping the future of gift cards and incentives. Here's what they had to say:
Runa after hours: connection meets celebration
We didn’t stop at panels. Runa brought the energy into the evenings with our unforgettable social events including a night at The White Horse where dancing, laughs, and true Texas spirit took over.
What’s next?
The IMA Summit made one thing clear: The world of incentives is evolving, and choice, speed, and flexibility are the future. Runa is proud to be leading the charge with a platform that connects merchants to more opportunity, locally and globally.
Want to explore how your gift cards can go further? Reach out to partnerships@runa.io.
Until next year, Austin. Let’s keep building what’s next.
