PlaqueMaker Blog

Usually awarded at the end of a school year, the Student of the Year award recognizes outstanding students who use their natural talents for good – achieving top academic marks while giving back to their school and their community.

One of the top two human resource priorities of any company, organization or enterprise, employee engagement not only makes for happy, satisfied employees, it can positively impact the ability to attain corporate goals. According to Dale Carnegie, the top three drivers of employee engagement are

Those who attend know their company doesn’t have to host an event like this and are likely to be thankful, which encourages a positive return on investment in more ways than one.

Study after study confirms the positive effect of employee recognition programs on a company’s staff at large. Corporate awards programs can also do the company good:

Our custom engraved granite awards are a PlaqueMaker original! They will look fantastic at your next event, whether it’s a corporate gala, a loved one’s birthday, a living tribute for a family pet or simply for a promotion.

Stumped about what to give your Dad for Father’s Day on June 19 this year? Whether your pop is a grill master, the world’s greatest handyman, the king of the remote, super sports car driver, excellent golfer or just the best-est Father a kid could have, he probably deserves a trophy for that!

So many kids play competitive sports in America that serious sports organizations like the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), the Women’s Sports Foundation and others are studying the numbers. For instance, EPSN reports that just nine years ago, roughly 75% of boys and 69% of girls from ages eight to 17 take part in organized sports, playing at least one sport per year. And these totals don’t take into account the kids who start playing before age eight! A growing number of kids are playing sports even before they start going to school. The surprising find is that girls start an average of half a year later than boys, although kids who don’t exercise start later than those who do.

Live coverage of the 94th Academy Awards presentation at the Hollywood & Highland Center Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles begins at 10:03 am eastern/7:03 am pacific. For Oscar guests, the partying starts after the ceremony (or after a win, whichever comes first), and for the fans eagerly awaiting this star-studded Hollywood extravaganza – the actual event is the party.

Today, business leaders everywhere are tasked by their bosses to get the most out of their team. The effect of positive reinforcement on motivation is well-documented; when we receive it, we want more of it. So, if one of your employees does a great job on a project and you recognize their achievement in a meaningful way, chances are your employee will want to feel that same sense of accomplishment again -and work with this in mind on the next challenge, no matter its scope. This is the basic psychology behind successful employee recognition programs.

American families are all in, when it comes to organized youth sports. Recent statistics for that 75% of American families with school-aged children have at least one child participating in organized sports. That’s at least 45 million kids!

Thinking about how to decorate your table for Thanksgiving this year? Why not go for rustic chic using leather? And why not take it one step further … with a themed custom design all your own? PlaqueMaker can help.

The giver doesn’t need to worry about including hardware for hanging, because these plaques stand elegantly on any desk, table, book shelf or credenza.

Whether your child is competing in a soccer tournament or you are beating the competition in the sales challenge at work, America loves a winner. One of the ways to show appreciation for winners is to give them a trophy. Here’s why trophies matter.

The 7.5” tall acrylic award trophy is screened in red on the back, with elegant gold accents, and is mounted to a glossy black base, to stand proudly on any desk, shelf or table. You can also choose blue or green screening. These royal award trophies will strike a pose at your next corporate event (we offer quantity discounts on custom merchandise).

The earliest plaques are found in the 12th century throughout the Benin Empire in present-day Nigeria. Bronze and brass placards herald warriors and key battles fought on behalf of the kingdom. These are not unlike plaques we see today, paying homage to soldiers who died in the service of their country. Plaques are not just memorials but informational signs. For over 150 years, the blue plaques of London point out historical locations and the people who lived there. In the U.S., the National Trust for Historical Preservation bestows markers to buildings and places that gain National Registry status.

Does your charity want to show appreciation for the community’s first responders? Is there a volunteer organization or civic group that has gone unnoticed for far too long? Do you know someone who selflessly gives their time and energy to others?

Does your organization feature local businesses in “Best Of” competitions? Does your company recognize sponsors with an award program? Does your non-profit thank volunteers for their service with a “Wall of Fame”?

Employee recognition awards are an excellent way for businesses to retain good workers and re-enforce strong team dynamics. Keeping these honors from becoming boring or stale is the real trick. Rather than sticking with the same categories every year, break away from the traditional with employee recognition – try humor.