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.
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!