About Jeff Richards

Over the course of his 25 years of industry experience, Jeff has used his expertise to plan and oversee the details of hundreds of corporate programs around the globe. He is extremely comfortable and versatile when it comes to working with numerous management and operational styles. His clients span a wide range of industries including pharmaceutical, food service, automotive, and tech. He has seen great success planning and overseeing programs ranging anywhere from high-level meetings for a small board of directors to large events numbering in the thousands, such as travel incentives, sales training, or product launches. As a certified meeting professional, his skills include project management, risk mitigation, strategic sourcing, as well as financial management. Jeff has been an integral part of Gavel International for the past 23 years and is currently the company’s Vice President.

June 2018

10 Best Places to Visit in Toronto, Canada

2022-09-21T11:02:33-05:00June 14th, 2018|

Toronto is both the capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada, so there’s plenty to do. With a vibrant nightlife and an exciting blend of tourist attractions, you’ll find many prime locations within walking distance from each other. While there are of course plenty of different options, here are ten of our favorite places to visit in [...]

May 2018

Advantages and Avoidable Disadvantages of Travel Incentive Programs

2022-11-28T12:44:34-06:00May 17th, 2018|

Top performing organizations have one thing in common:  They recognize the value of their employees and are always looking for creative ways to keep them motivated (and productive.) Non-cash incentives such as travel is the leading motivator, especially for customer-facing positions such as in sales or support. If your organization has been considering a travel incentive program there is [...]

April 2018

The Psychology Behind Competition: Why Incentives Work

2022-11-28T12:38:13-06:00April 19th, 2018|

Competition and competitiveness have endured shifting opinions over the years. Some people have viewed them as negative and divisive, while others view them as helpful, even vital, for employee success. So what is the psychology behind competition? What can psychology tell us about the benefits and dangers of competition? We’ll answer these questions below, and provide some ways to [...]

Overcoming Leadership Barriers to Incentive Programs

2022-11-23T14:05:30-06:00April 5th, 2018|

Good leadership is vital if you want your incentive program to work. Participants aren’t the only ones who can hinder the program’s effectiveness—leaders can cause problems too. Here are some of the most common leadership barriers that can hinder your incentive program, and what you can do to avoid them. Too Detached Employees will often flounder when their leadership [...]

March 2018

Tips to Communicate Your Incentive Program to Participants

2022-11-28T12:38:22-06:00March 29th, 2018|

When planning a travel incentive program, three topic generally come to mind: How to budget and plan it, who is eligible to participate, and who qualifies to earn the reward.  While these are extremely important topics, one key element is missing – how to market the program to employees, better known as “internal customers.” It might sound strange to [...]

10 of the Best Foods, Drinks, and Desserts to Try in Aruba

2022-09-21T11:03:23-05:00March 8th, 2018|

Aruba, like many other island nations, is an exotic hodgepodge of culinary influences. Though Spanish and Portuguese are the biggest contributors, Aruba’s wide assortment of ethnicities each bring something to the table. Here are ten of the best foods to check out while you’re enjoying your stay at this beautiful island nation. Cabrito at The Old Cunucu House The [...]

October 2017

10 Places to Visit in St. Bart’s

2022-09-21T11:04:03-05:00October 19th, 2017|

St. Barthelemy is a destination made for postcards and picturesque photo opportunities. An island of rare beauty, you’ll fall in love with the rolling green hills and quaint coastal villages. If you’re lucky enough to spend some time in this traveler’s haven, be sure to check out these ten destinations. Colombier Beach If you’re looking to enjoy the pristine St. [...]

September 2017

10 of the Best Places to Visit in Hawaii

2023-04-05T08:14:07-05:00September 21st, 2017|

Hawaii is practically synonymous with “vacation”—and rightfully so. Full of beauty, mystery, and adventure, the islands of Hawaii are a traveler’s dream. The eight major islands each have plenty to see, so we’ve narrowed things down a bit for you. Here are ten of the best places to visit during your time in Hawaii. Pearl Harbor National Historic Landmark A [...]

7 Tips for Faster, More Productive Meetings

2022-11-28T12:17:54-06:00September 7th, 2017|

Few things drain employee morale like a meeting that is too long and isn’t productive. People start to feel frustrated—they have work to do, and the meeting becomes less and less beneficial. The longer a meeting goes, the harder it is to keep attendees focused. In other words, long meetings risk hindering productivity. The goal is to run a meeting [...]

August 2017

Top Safaris to See the Big 5

2023-04-05T08:10:48-05:00August 24th, 2017|

No trip to Africa is complete without at least attempting to see each of the Big Five. These five animals—lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and water buffalo—were put in this category because of how difficult they were to locate in their natural habitat. Now, however, the Big Five are considered the must-see African mammals. While there are plenty of places where [...]

Go to Top