Blog Posts

Athletic Awards Vendor Fair 2012

We couldn’t have asked for a nicer day for the annual Athletic Awards Vendor Fair last Thursday, on September 6th.  Hosting 18 different vendors displaying a wide array of promotional products and apparel, this year was the biggest vendor fair to date.

Every year for vendor fair, we raise funds for charity.  This year our charity was Special Olympics WA.  Along with the Tukwila Police Explorer Program and their dunk tank, we were able to raise $2,400 from our patrons.  For those who don’t know, the explorer program is for young adults who aspire to be police officers, doing ride-along training and getting to know first hand police force knowledge.  Not only did they volunteer to be dunked for charity, three of them were also willing to participate in our fashion show.

The fashion show, our most ambitious vendor fair event yet, was great for us, our vendors and more importantly the crowd.  We all got to see our products walking and working down the red carpet with cameras shuttering and flashing.  Everything from construction, to leisure, to corporate casual, to active wear were on display in the rare and beautiful eighty degree Seattle weather.

Another thing that I know we at Athletic Awards look forward to and everyone in attendance is the food.  This year we had catering done by a South Lake Union neighbor, Portage Bay Cafe.  To describe their sandwiches, salads and wraps in one word, fantastic.  Some loyal vendor fair goers stated that it was the best food provided at ANY vendor fair/trade show yet!

Those in attendance know that every year we have a raffle for those who complete a passport that is checked off by each vendor.  The prize is two round trip tickets to anywhere in the continental United States.  This year’s lucky winner is Lauren Geretti who came down from Tommy Bahama.  Congratulations to her!

Between the fashion show, the particularly large turn out of vendors, our success with the Special Olympics WA, the Tukwila Police Explorers, our lovely food and wonderful weather, this year’s vendor fair was great to say the least.  From everyone here at Athletic Awards, thank you to our vendors, models, and everyone who came out to help make this year such a success.

Click here to see pictures! http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.426174797419515.85684.110983788938619&type=3

Athletic Awards, a Part of Sonics History

If that isn’t enough, in the very next year (1979) the Sonics would go on to win the national title.  Years later, the very same NBA championship trophy was brought in to Athletic Awards to be refurbished and cleaned.  This tied a neat bow on our Sonics history that we have had the pleasure of being a part of.

Ronald McDonald House and Seafair

Athletic Awards has donated 96 of the pictured hats to the Ronald McDonald House to use during Seafair. This is an exciting event for the kids staying at Ronald McDonald House, where they will get to participate at Seafair by visiting the hydroplane Miss Ronald McDonald House and have access to the pits and see other hydroplanes.  The kids who are not healthy enough to attend Seafair in person will still get a hat at the house.

Employee Recognition and How It’s Good For Business

Studies released by the Business Research Lab show that employee recognition programs are what fuel high employee satisfaction in the workplace.  In fact, not a single successful firm has high employee satisfaction with low recognition—proof that recognition is key to high morale in the workplace.

Higher compensation has been the usual go-to for most companies in the past.  However, Forbes recently published an article that monetary incentive programs are becoming less important to employees, not only in the U.S., but around the globe.  They go on to state that especially in this economy, affording bonuses, pay raises, etc. is becoming more difficult for companies to do.  So what can managers and business owners do to recognize employees?

The first thing on everyone’s list is an award, but why?  An award can be displayed to not only customers and clients, but to other employees.  Co-workers will strive to have a plaque on the wall praising their success.

Recognition is not only good for business, but for building a strong company.

Works Cited

Bersin, Josh. “New Research Unlocks the Secret of Employee Recognition.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 13 June 2012. Web. 26 June 2012. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/joshbersin/2012/06/13/new-research-unlocks-the-secret-of-employee-recognition/>.

“Business Research Lab :: Employee Recognition Programs.” Business Research Lab :: Employee Recognition Programs. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 June 2012. <http://www.busreslab.com/index.php/articles-and-stories/work-policies/good-policies/employee-recognition-programs/>.

Free shipping on all orders at AthleticAwards.com!

As of today, Athletic Awards is offering free UPS ground shipping on all website orders. Take advantage of this great deal as soon as you can. From plaques to trophies, to tshirts to crystal awards, Athletic Awards can help you with your award and trophy needs!

www.athleticawards.com

Buzz Aldrin presents the Space Needle Space Race trophy

In celebration of the Space Needle’s 50th Anniversary, the Space Needle sponsored a “Space Race” competition, resulting in sending one fortunate individual to the stars.  Buzz Aldrin presented the winner with a trophy created and built by Athletic Awards.

This trophy is very special to Athletic Awards.  In 1961, our Founder Monty Holmes, Sr. started designing the Space Needle trophy without knowing what it looked like.  When he came up with the design, he set the competition back and increased sales by 3 times what it was.

Athletic Awards is very proud to have Buzz Aldrin present the trophy that we created for this event!

The Mystery of Athletic Awards Man

This photo, taken from a local surveillance camera, depicts what some are saying is the photographic proof that Athletic Awards Man has returned to South Lake Union.  Skeptics have dismissed the photo as bogus.  Others believe that the photo could just as easily be Athletic Awards Man taken from the world’s largest trophy cup that contains the iconic figure’s image.

For those who have long believed that he would one day return to his home, the prospect is truly tantalizing.

Athletic Awards is following the rumors closely and will be the first to report on new developments as they arise.

Athletic Awards featured in Discover SLU newsletter!

Athletic Awards is proud to have been featured in the latest newsletter of Discover South Lake Union. Check out our link to the article at Discover SLU!

Welcoming in the new year!

Happy Holidays from Athletic Awards!

2011 is right around the corner, and January is the perfect time to start implementing an Employee Recognition package.  Whether you want to purchase one large perpetual plaque to list Employees of the month, or a package with one Perpetual plaque and 12 individual plaques, we have options for you!

Please visit athleticawards.com for more information.  Don’t see exactly what you are looking for? Give us a call and we can customize a package for you.

2010 Vendor Fair a Success!

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our 2010 Vendor Fair!  The well known Miss Wahoo Hydroplane was displayed in front of our storefront all day, and we even received a visit from Miss Seafair herself!

Check our website for more information and pictures of the event!