The OpenWater Blog

Learning Series: Types of Recognition

An awards program is all about awards and rewarding entrants whose ideas or submissions advance your industry and your organizational goals. But, how are you going to show this recognition?

Some organizations choose trophies to do so while others use plaques, certificates, medals, or ribbons. What’s most important is that you create a unique, differentiated, and, most importantly, recognizable award for your winners to display for years to come.

5 Common Types of Awards

While awards should remain consistent from year to year as the core theme, image, symbol, or idea behind the awards grows with your brand, you can choose to award entrants any way you see fit.

There are 5 primary types of awards, including:

• Trophies – Trophies may include statuettes, cups, bowls, and any other shapes.

• Plaques – Plaques are a cross between a trophy and certificate. Unlike certificates, plaques aren’t on paper.

• Certificates – Certificates are high-quality, well-designed pieces of paper. Most organizations frame certificates to make the award look more prestigious.

• Medals – Most organizations stick to the class Gold, Silver, Bronze breakdown. This is because winners and audience members can easily discern their value.

• Ribbons – Ribbons are strips of glossy fabric that state the nomination won.

You can experiment with material, size, design, and color. Your main goal with any of these awards is to create a consistent brand experience and an image winners are proud to display.

Your Awards are in Order, But What About the Rest of Your Gala?

Your gala is a way to celebrate everyone who participated in your program, winners included. Once you have the physical awards out of the way, you can focus on the other elements that will determine the relative success of your ceremony.

If you need help planning your gala, or want to make sure you’re on the right track, download the free companion worksheet from Awards 101: The Missing Manual for Awards Professionals. This will give you a simple way to tackle your gala from beginning to end, keeping you on track each step of the way.

Ashley Surinak

Ashley Surinak is the resident OpenWater expert on all things content. From the blog to guides and beyond, you'll find her at every turn in your OpenWater journey.

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