Being presented with a trophy is an honor that people tend to remember for a lifetime. Trophies are an ideal way to recognize achievements that range from being the highest performer in a company to winning a championship game. Knowing how to present the trophy gives this form of recognition even more meaning.
Plan an Award Ceremony
Giving someone recognition is more effective when it is done before a crowd. Simply handing someone a trophy as they leave the office or finish up a practice doesn’t make the moment very special. Instead, consider waiting to give the trophy until you can host an end-of-the-year or season awards ceremony. If that isn’t possible, then at least plan to give the trophy during a team meeting where the recipient can be congratulated by their peers and any other people that are associated with their achievement.
Consider Inviting Close Family Members
Some people might view their work or sports team as extended families, but they’ll still love knowing that their spouse or other loved ones were there for the big moment. If possible, consider extending an invitation to the recipient’s loved ones to attend the ceremony. If that isn’t possible, then you could consider opening up a virtual viewing that allows their loved ones to watch from home.
Choose a Distinctive Style
Traditional award plaques and trophies are perfect for times when you prefer to offer a classic reward. However, you can also jazz up the ceremony by providing the recipient with a trophy that fits their chosen profession or achievement. Just think about how your top-selling real estate agent will feel to receive a trophy that makes it clear that they are a key player. Or, you might want to give a trophy in the form of an engraved rocket to a staffer that stood out among the rest of the tech crowd. Giving an award that highlights their best contributions makes it feel even more personal.
Use Personalization
Everyone loves seeing their name, and adding personalization to the trophy makes it clear that the special moment is all theirs to enjoy. You can personalize plaques and trophies with additional information that also holds special meaning. For instance, you might choose to engrave the award with the title of their achievement, such as the Top Seller in the Region. Or, you might want to add the year of their award so that it is distinctive from other awards that they might receive in the future. Personalizing the award also shows that you’ve gone the extra mile to honor how the recipient has put in the effort to earn the trophy.
Prepare a Meaningful Speech
You don’t want to bore the crowd with a long-winded speech that takes away from the excitement of being at an awards ceremony. But you do want to share a few background notes about what the trophy stands for. While the recipient will walk away with their trophy, you also want to remember why they were given the honor, especially since feeling appreciated helps with employee retention. Take a moment to tell the audience a little about the background of the award and why it is so special. You can even toss in a few facts or stats that make it clear why the recipient is the perfect person to receive the award.
Make Sure the Trophy Shines
Whether you are handing out a plaque, a glass desk trophy or a traditional golden one, you’ll want to make sure that it is of the highest quality. Once you receive the trophy, give it a good look to make sure it is in perfect condition. Then, store it in the box so that it doesn’t get exposed to dust or dirt. Ideally, you should minimize handling until the day of the award ceremony. Just before the ceremony, take a moment to wipe off any fingerprints so that it is gleaming at the presentation. After you’ve presented the trophy, give the recipient time to soak up the moment. Asking them to give a short acceptance speech or to pose for photos makes the honor feel even more memorable. Plus, you’ll generate excitement that has your crowd looking forward to the next round of future awards.