Best Places to Work in the Meetings Industry 2012

Briggs Inc. Headquarters: New York City      
Employees: 17

"I have an old-fashioned work ethic," admits Anthony Napoli, president of New York City-based destination management company Briggs Inc. "I'm used to everyone being in the office by 9 a.m., no exceptions." But when employees recently asked for the freedom to set their own hours, Napoli, a 25-year industry veteran, gave it serious thought -- and then agreed. "My employees work extraordinary hours, and they wanted to be able to adjust their schedules to suit their time, so we said yes. It's an honor system, and people love it. No one has abused it, so I'm OK with it," he says.

Their hard work is rewarded in other ways, all year long. Achieving certain goals, like winning a new piece of business or getting a glowing a client letter, earns workers points. At regular intervals, Napoli rolls out a giant game-show style prize wheel, and those who have accrued 900 points can spin for prizes. Winnings have included a paid day off, 25,000 American Express travel miles and tickets to a Broadway show.

"It sounds silly, but everyone loves spinning the wheel," says Napoli. "I could easily just give them an award or prize, but the wheel adds this crazy element to it. It really does make everyone want to work harder."

The annual incentive trip has a twist, too: Everyone goes. The excursion is a true VIP experience, with meet-and-greets, tours, dinners, upscale venues and team-building activities. "This works out really well," says Napoli. "It brings the company together, and it also reinforces what we do as incentive planners."

Other annual events include a Christmas activity and dinner that Napoli plans, but he doesn't reveal the itinerary until the day of the event. One year he took the whole team to The Nutcracker ballet in the afternoon, followed by a bus trip to the Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets, where employees were handed $250 in cash and told if they didn't spend it all before they got back on the bus, they would forfeit the unspent money. A show-and-tell of the purchased items was held over dinner.

Briggs also throws Friday happy hours and offers half-price gym memberships. A healthy work-life balance is important, says Napoli, as is creating an environment where employees continue to want to come to work. "You have to love this business to do it, but if you hate the office environment or the working culture, that can deplete your love for the job fast," says Napoli. "We want our team to have a rich personal life so they can share it with the office. It makes everyone that much better."