Trophies and Awards

© 2001 Linda Alexander

Per client specification and as originally published by:
Articleinsider.com

When you think of trophies and awards, do those little statues you received in grade school soccer come to mind? You might still have those plastic trophies sitting on a shelf somewhere, or locked away in your attic. When you receive your next award, you might be surprised at what you receive. Trophies and awards have changed since you were in grade school.

Creativity abounds in the promotional products market these days. Anything from TVs and DVD players, to picture frames, to sculpted art pieces can be given away to recognize achievement. Laser engraved acrylic pieces, wall plaques, crystal clocks, and other materials mesh to create today's trophies and awards.

Art glass is another popular item being used as awards, as customers demand more innovative products to reward people with. And with more materials and creative options available, more and more businesses are purchasing trophies and establishing their own corporate awards programs. It's not just awards, either--corporate gifts have become commonplace. Everybody likes to give and receive something for their efforts or continued loyalty.

Impact on Your Bottom Line

Recognizing achievement can impact your company's success in the future, so there's no reason to skimp on awards that make employees feel appreciated. Recognizing them and honoring their hard work makes them want to continue their hard work. Gifts encourage loyalty. If a salesperson brings in millions of dollars for you, a cheap plastic paperweight is simply not enough.

Companies are also realizing that it's the little things that count. You no longer have to stay at one place for 25 years before you receive a gold watch. Instead, companies are thanking their employees for toughing it out through difficult times, finishing a project ahead of deadline or below budget, or for their innovative ideas along the way.

Custom trophies and awards are also gaining popularity as manufacturers are able to produce them more easily than before. New materials and technologies have allowed companies to customize stock items or design new trophies and awards from scratch much quicker than in the past. It's also less expensive to do, so more companies can afford to personalize their gifts.

Fast and Affordable Personalization of Trophies and Awards

Just tweaking a stock item a little bit can have a dramatic effect. Adding a custom logo or engraving someone's name on a glass trophy can change the look of the piece tremendously, quickly turning a "tried and true" piece into something unique. So companies have more options than ever when it comes to personalized trophies and awards or gifts.

If you are worried that your next awards ceremony will be a flop because you keep giving out the same awards, think again. Instead of a traditional wall plaque or soccer trophy, why not go with a themed gift, a crystal clock, or a DVD player to recognize your stars? They will thank you for appreciating them with something new and different.

Recognition Awards

Recognition awards and gifts given at conferences show your attendees that they really matter to your organization. If you are having trouble keeping people in their seats during afternoon sessions, you could let your attendees know that awards will be given out at random times during the day, or that prize winners must be present to win. Build the anticipation by not printing a list of award winners until after all of the recognition awards have been given out.

Another way to build attendance at your shows is to present promotional products before, during, and after the conferences. You could build them around your conference theme, or around the city in which you are holding the convention. You could also incorporate wearable logo items to commemorate the event and help advertise for next year's event.

There is no doubt that recognition awards are an important part of every organization. Yet often, people become bored with the ceremonies after a few months or years of attending. By varying the prizes and awards given, or the times at which they are given, you are more likely to keep people's interest. You must also continuously promote your recognition program in order to keep the excitement up.

Selecting ageless, classic awards such as wall plaques and trophies will keep your name around for years into the future. People like to collect awards and display them proudly in their offices and homes, for all to see. So adding your logo to the engraving on the awards will remind everybody who sees them who gave them out, as well as who worked hard to earn them.

Corporate Awards

Are you tired of those boring corporate awards ceremonies where the CEO, whom you've never met, hands awards out to a list of the same winners every year? Why not add the element of surprise to your awards program to keep it fresh? With so many options available in styles and prices of corporate awards, you can now afford to do something different.

According to many trophy shop owners, the demand for innovative awards is rising all the time. As a result, manufacturers have come out with an array of interesting trophies, plaques, and awards, so you don't have to stick with traditional trophies or paperweights each year. Presenting the awards at random times is another way to keep your program fresh.

Online trophy shops allow even the most basic budgets to afford corporate awards. And who doesn't like to be recognized? So even if you're a small company, you can now afford to recognize your employees for their dedication to your team. A practical gift such as a desk clock is sure to get plenty of use while reminding the recipient of his or her achievement. At the same time, a wall plaque keeps the moment alive forever by commemorating special achievements.

Vary your awards ceremony and give the gifts from the bottom of your heart. Making it personal means more to people, and will get better results, than giving the same old stale awards away to the same achievers all the time. Introduce something new to your employees and they will thank you with more effort and loyalty than ever before.

Golf Awards and Gifts

The thrill of winning golf awards draws thousands of players into tournaments each year. Around the world, golfers can't help but anticipate the pride they would feel if they won golf awards, so they flock to tournaments in droves. Why not offer awards at your next event?

Golf awards come in many shapes and sizes, from display cases for special balls, to executive desk sets and crystal clocks. No matter what the prize is, it's important to recognize people for their hard work and dedication to the game. That's why there are so many prizes to choose from.

Many companies give out golf-themed gifts at holiday time, too. It's not just awards that people like. Most golfers would appreciate a set of monogrammed golf balls or an embroidered bag. A golf shirt with your company's logo on it also makes a caring gift that doubles as promotion for your business.

Even if you can't afford to give away luxury cars and vacations as awards, make your tournament worth entering by offering a prize. Awards for golf are cherished by the players who earn them and will be displayed on bookshelves, in trophy cases, and on desks everywhere. Thank participants for their efforts with awards, no matter what your budget.

Fantasy Football

Fantasy football is one of the hottest games going on the internet these days, and it comes with all the fun of owning a real team--including fantasy football trophies. Who wouldn't like one of these trophies after putting the time and money into keeping track of players, statistics, and outcomes? If you run a league, you will definitely want to recognize your team members with state of the art fantasy football trophies.

You can get trophies and awards for your fantasy football team anywhere trophies are sold, but you will have the most choice with an online trophy shop. When shopping online, you'll have access to an array of trophies in all shapes, sizes, and prices. Plus, buying online is quicker and easier, and saves you a trip to the store. It might even save you some money!

In addition to fantasy football trophies, you will also find trophies for other sports, such as fantasy hockey or fantasy baseball. Just like with "real" sports, there are statues for every game or you can go with something more customized, such as an acrylic trophy. However, for sports, it's nice to remember the sport itself with a figure of a player in the middle of the action.

You can accommodate different awards by varying the size of the trophies along with the colors of the columns or acrylic. For example, a first place winner might be given a larger award, while participation awards that go to everybody could all be smaller. You will also want to identify the winners by engraving their names into the trophies. Check with your online trophy shop, because very often, the engraving is included in the prices of the trophies.

Engraved Clocks

Are you thinking of giving engraved clocks for corporate gifts? If so, you have made a wise choice. Engraved clocks have universal appeal, since everyone wants to check the time at some point. Whether you choose something trendy or classic, funky or sophisticated, you will find a clock that suits the recipient's personality.

Engraved clocks appeal to both men and women and are in no way a sexist gift. So from a corporate standpoint, you can't go wrong. It doesn't matter what your budget is either, because there are clocks to fit almost any budget. If you add a logo or your company name to a promotional timepiece, it will be seen several times a day on the desk or shelf where it is displayed.

Another selling point is that it is okay if the person already has a clock. People can use several clocks at once. They wear watches, hang clocks on the walls, keep them at their desks, and put them in every room of their homes. So even if they already own clocks, your gifts will be welcome.

If you are looking to add value to the clocks you give, consider getting clocks that do double duty as something else. For example, some clocks are built in to pencil holders and other desk accessories. There are clocks with thermometers and barometers in them so you will always know the weather. Engraving something personal into a clock also makes it special and more valuable.

Crystal Trophies

Have you received crystal gifts but are not sure how to care for them? Crystal is simply glass that has had lead added to it--usually 24 percent lead oxide. This adds spectacular sparkle to the glass, but also makes it softer, therefore needing special care. With repeated use you will find that your crystal actually gets stronger.

It's safe to wash these items by hand or in the dishwasher. If you wash your gifts in the dishwasher, use a liquid detergent made for decorated or fragile items. You can use a powdered detergent also, but if you do, keep it within the recommended amount. Too much can scratch the glass. Many dishwashers have a "fragile" setting that you should use when washing crystal.

It's also important to separate the items so they do not bang into each other and break. When hand washing your gifts, use a soft sponge. Never use a scouring pad or metal sponge to wash them. Wash them in soapy, lukewarm water, leaving them to drain.

Rinse your crystal in lukewarm water also, as quick temperature changes can crack it. If you choose to dry the items by hand, use a soft cloth and be gentle. Don't leave crystal it in the cabinet for use only on special occasions. Celebrate each day with your sparkling gifts!

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