Corporate America Take Notice: Ignite Wants To Change Your World

CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Talent wars and shifting workplace expectations are requiring companies to rethink their employee experience, and new company Ignite intends to be their trusted partner. Through both scheduled and customized travel experiences, Ignite combines personal and professional development with cultural immersion and community engagement, a unique and comprehensive response to what companies need and employees are seeking. Anchored by community partners in each location, experiences are currently offered in Latin America and Africa, with domestic destinations soon to come.

Authentic connections with fellow travelers and the local community are at the core of each trip, as Ignite believes that the power of a shared experience is the best environment for both personal transformation and global impact. With elements of professional development and team building woven throughout, participants journey through an intentionally designed itinerary, highly influenced by Ignite's founders and their decade of experience creating culturally empowering and mutually beneficial experiences. On an experience, you may support a youth education program and hike an active volcano in Nicaragua, or collaborate with women entrepreneurs and debrief as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean in Mexico.  

"People want to connect and experience the world in meaningful ways, and we intend to help companies provide that for their employees," stated Rich Johnson, Co-Founder, Ignite. "We've seen firsthand how these experiences inspire and develop employees, while have lasting impact for our community partners around the world."

Ignite recognizes that a more purposeful workplace is an important and emerging differentiator for companies seeking new talent and to retain existing employees. This is particularly true when talking about the Millennial workforce, with eighty-eight percent saying their job is more fulfilling when they are provided opportunities to make a positive impact on social issues.¹

"We understand that basic benefits and traditional professional development are just not enough. Employees are expecting and demanding more," said Ryan Jeffery, Co-Founder, Ignite. "We are excited to partner with companies to inspire, motivate and develop their people, which has proven ROI - increased engagement, productivity and retention."

Ignite has already received strong interest, with 15 companies signing letters of intent. The early adopters include MillerCoors, who is providing these experiences for professional development, along with smaller but fast growing tech companies like Benchprep, who offers Ignite experiences as part of their employee benefits package.

"MillerCoors' Tenth and Blake division is thrilled to be working with Ignite. With some of the world's most recognizable brands, we are constantly searching for new and engaging ways to provide leadership and team development," said Pete Marino, Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer, MillerCoors and President at Tenth and Blake, the craft and import division of MillerCoors. "Our partnership with Ignite allows us to do this while aligning with our values around employee engagement and giving back to our community in the right way."

Ignite's foundation is rooted in the work of its philanthropic partner, Spark Ventures, which, over the past decade, has built strong relationships with grassroots community organizations addressing many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Spark Ventures facilitated successful cultural immersion trips for nearly a decade, providing the proof of concept that led to the launch Ignite, whose mission is to provide experiences that benefit humanity and the planet. These experiences are intended to change people for the better, something recent participants attest to. 

"My journey with Ignite was one of the best travel experiences of my life, and I have traveled extensively," said Sonya Jackson, Founder and Principal at Mantra for Good and Former Global Giving Executive for United Airlines, British Petroleum (BP), Sears and Sara Lee. "A partnership with Ignite is one of the best investments a company can make to develop and inspire their employees, embody their values and build their brand."

Ryan and Rich's vision for Ignite includes expanding geographically with new community partners, diversifying the experiences with new development themes, and building a technology platform to enhance and extend the impact of their business. Learn more about Ignite at experienceignite.com.

About Ignite

Ignite offers experiences for companies and individuals that blend cultural immersion, community engagement and personal/professional development. Through expertly curated activities and exchanges, Ignite's journeys are culturally empowering and mutually beneficial. Ignite is a group of globally minded change-makers who believe in the power of connection to inspire and transform. They have a decade of experience providing transformational journeys that unite, empower and unleash resources that improve the world.

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¹ 2016 Cone Communications Millennial Employee Engagement Study

SOURCE Ignite