U.S. companies spent more than $77 billion in 2006 on incentive travel, motivational meetings and special events

, according to a study of 1,121 firms by The Incentive Research Foundation that also estimated $37.8 billion for special events (such as sales meetings, product launches or road shows); $25.9 billion on motivational speeches, awards or team-building meetings; and $13.4 billion on performance-related incentive travel "for participants' enjoyment, not for business." The average special event budget was $78,029, while the average motivational meeting budget was $68,330 and a typical incentive travel budget was $164,271. Eighty-six percent of companies with annual revenues of more than $100 million reported spending in these areas; 81 percent said they hold special events, 61 percent use motivational meetings and 23 percent book incentive travel. On average, research showed large companies sponsored more than 90 special events last year.