Tustin Awards

Specializing in Corporate Awards and Promotional Products Since 1978

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Things to Consider for Your Online Awards Ceremony

This year, one of the biggest trends in recognition is the online awards ceremony. While most companies have cancelled in-person events, many have chosen to continue with their awards programs. Why? Because….

Appreciation is ESSENTIAL!

The need for appreciation is stronger now than ever before, and while virtual events cannot match the excitement and prestige of in-person events, an online awards ceremony can still provide meaningful recognition to those who are most deserving. Whether you are a business, school, or non-profit, the people supporting your organization have stepped up in major ways this year, and a simple “thank you” will mean more to them than you can imagine.

online awards ceremony

Here are our recommendations for how to add excitement and elegance to your online awards ceremony:

  • Send formal invitations & gifts before your event
  • Include an award in your event marketing and ceremony
  • Send awards to your recipients
  • Add flair to your presentation

One of the best ways to create momentum for any online awards ceremony is to mail high-quality invitations to guests along with a few gifts to get the party started early. A delicious meat and cheese platter from Maple Ridge Farms or elegant wine glass with your favorite bubbly beverage are classic choices your guests will surely enjoy.

For added distinction, we suggest ordering a few awards ahead of time. You can include photos of your awards in your invitations as well as your email/social media promotional campaigns. You can also use a physical award in the online awards ceremony to add prestige to the event and give recipients a preview of the stunning award they will receive.

We also recommend sending awards to your recipients. Providing tangible recognition of their effort will demonstrate your appreciation for their dedication and infuse your organization with renewed inspiration for continued achievement. If you need help delivering your awards, we have the capability to individually box and ship your awards to each recipient.

And when sending your awards, we suggest thinking about other ways to add flair to your presentation.  Our suggestion is to include a personalized notecard with each award as this adds a personal touch and increases perceived value. We also offer other corporate branded appreciation items such as lapel pins and other promotional-products which are easy to include with your award.

Still deciding whether to have an online awards ceremony? Here are a few benefits of a virtual awards presentation:

  • Less expensive than a traditional event­
  • More convenient and safe for guests to attend
  • Opportunity to experiment

One major benefit to hosting an online awards ceremony over a traditional in-person event is the significant cost savings – no hotel rooms, catering, DJ, florist, etc. to pay for. Given the online format, guests can easily and safely attend from any location (guests won’t worry about missing their flight due to a snowstorm, no need to cancel or postpone the event due to a sudden rise in COVID cases, etc.).

And lastly, the online format can provide the opportunity to experiment with new technology and easily connect different people in your organization. For example, to foster networking, you can still group guests into online breakout rooms as if they were sitting at “tables” at an in-person event and give them an opportunity to mingle.

How Can Tustin Awards Help?

Regardless of whether you choose to move forward with an online awards ceremony, we have the expertise and service you need to make sure your employees, donors, and clients receive the recognition they deserve.

At Tustin Awards, we combine family business values with industry-leading expertise. 

Shop local at Tustin Awards for high-quality awards and promotional products, and contact us to start your order for your online awards ceremony!

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Spectacular Corporate Holiday Gifts for 2020

Looking for corporate holiday gifts and awards? Not sure where to begin? At Tustin Awards, we are here to help!

Appreciation Means A Little More

We recognize 2020 has been of full of unforeseen challenges for countless companies, but the need for employee recognition is stronger now than ever before. In response, many organizations have transitioned their annual in-person holiday parties and awards ceremonies to virtual celebrations. Although many of these events have moved online, sending your employees corporate holiday gifts and awards will infuse your online event with pizazz and prestige. And it will enable the celebration to continue long after the party has ended.

Corporate Holiday Gift Trends for 2020

Here are a few of the trends we are seeing this year for corporate holiday gifts and awards:

Comfort Food – A classic for a reason, food gifts are a popular choice in 2020 to bring “tidings of comfort and joy” this holiday season. One of our favorite lines is Maple Ridge Farms. From savory to sweet, Maple Ridge Farms has it all. If your holiday party is online, why not bring the charcuterie plate to your guests with a Gourmet Cheese & Sausage Plate with an elegant slate platter.

Self-Care – While PPE has undoubtedly been a huge seller in 2020, customers are continuing this trend for their corporate holiday gifts. One of our favorite new ideas is our Modern Sprout Indoor Herb Garden Kit which features fun multicolor reusable mason jars to grow your choice of cilantro, basil, or mint. We also love the Beekman 1802 Farm to Skin Ultimate Handcare Gift Set which uses the simplest and best ingredients found in nature to soothe and clean your hands.

Work-From-Home – Make sure you and your employees put their best face forward with this Lume Cube Video Conference Lighting Kit. Compatible with both Laptops and Desktops, the Panel Mini LED light provides soft and professional illumination with fully adjustable controls. We also love this Moleskine® Large Journal to keep our thoughts organized between meetings.

corporate holiday gifts

Awards – The versatility of awards cannot be underestimated. With the additional pressures our customers have faced this year, many are using awards to recognize the COVID Heroes in their lives such as healthcare workers, teachers, police officers, and firemen. And awards continue to be a popular choice for employee and donor recognition. As more people work from home, we have also seen increased demand for paperweights and acrylic awards such as our acrylic Radiant Jewel Block and Beveled Rectangle because they are less likely to break and easier to ship to recipients than larger awards.

Shop Local for Corporate Holiday Gifts & Awards

When you order corporate holiday gifts, trophies, and plaques from Tustin Awards, you will experience our relentless commitment to quality, customer service, value, and integrity. For 40+ years, we have been blessed to work with truly incredible customers. They have inspired us, encouraged us, and enabled us to give back to our community. Click here to find out more about the advantage of shopping local for your corporate awards and holiday gifts!

Have questions or ready to order? Email us or call us at 714-247-2277 to make magic happen this season for your corporate awards and holiday gifts!

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The Plaque – A Classic Recognition Choice

The plaque has been a staple in the incentive process for many years. Over time, plaques have transitioned from wall mounted mementos with an engraved metal plate, to include full-color printing and engraving. Our customer service experts at Tustin Awards are here to help you find the right style award for your deserving recipients.

Why Plaques Now

The importance of recognition and appreciation is paramount in keeping morale at a high level, especially in times of uncertainty. With many employees now working remotely, the demands on employees to balance family obligations while still excelling professionally have created unprecedented stress. This drive to persevere merits recognition and the plaque is a perfect choice for acknowledging these efforts.

Materials & Styles 

Walnut is the traditional choice for the wall plaque. However, we have expanded our options to include materials such as polished rosewood and glass for a modern executive look. We also offer budget-friendly options such as our walnut finish plaque. This option has a thin walnut laminate over a pressboard plaque. Plaques can also include glass or acrylic “stand up” pieces when wall space is not available. These are highly effective at keeping your encouraging message at eye level. We also have a variety of options that can be made from marble, slate, granite, and Eco-friendly products.

Customization

Tustin Awards is your partner in designing the custom award of your dreams when you are looking for something “outside the box”. With innovative customer service professionals as well as on-site engraving and full-color printing, even after 40+ years, we still get excited to create something we have never seen before. Feel free to visit our custom award page for more information or call us for immediate service.

Specialty Options

One common category is the perpetual plaque. These are made to recognize winners of sales contests, academic achievements, or donations to charitable causes. They have plates on them which can be updated regularly as new people achieve milestones. Perpetual designs can range from our traditional walnut perpetual plaque to custom donor walls that are 10 feet long!

Cast bronze or cast aluminum plaques also have a long history. If you have ever been to a sports hall of fame, you have seen them on the walls honoring player achievements (the Baseball Hall of Fame is one impressive example). Historical landmarks and statues often have a cast plaque explaining the significance of a historical event. They are also seen on the walls of schools and universities when rooms, halls, or buildings are named after donors or civic leaders. These plaques are also often used for grave markers in cemeteries all around the world. More information about our cast plaque options can be found here.

Tustin Awards – Your Orange County Plaque Source

Tustin Awards has the expertise to help you choose the best plaque for your team! With on-site engraving and assembly, we can guarantee your award will be of the highest quality and treasured award for years to come. Shop local at Tustin Awards!

By Jake Hill