Trophies2Go Blog

What is the ARA and why are we members?  What are the benefits?  And why should it matter to our customers?  I hope to answer these questions and more!

The 2014 ARA Trade Show in Las Vegas is at the end of the month.

The Awards and Recognition Association (ARA) is the trade group for the Trophy and Awards industry, with 4000 members worldwide.  Membership includes:

1. Awards professionals who can offer expert advice in designing recognition programs and provide quality awards and recognition products to consumers (That’s us!)

2. Manufacturers and suppliers that provide products, technology and equipment to awards retailers.

3. Many companies with a common purpose: to promote the public awareness of the use and benefits of quality recognition products and to educate its members in the areas of business skills and ethics, technical competence, product knowledge and marketing.

Membership Benefits

The ARA publishes a monthly newsletter, called the 'Recognition Review', has an informative and helpful website, provides technical training, and has a ‘Member to Member’ forum where awards business owners across the country can connect and share information.  The ARA also advocates for the awards industry as a whole.  But the biggest advantage to membership is free attendance to the annual ARA International Awards Market in Las Vegas. Jeff, Tom, Laurie and I are headed to this event at the end of the month.

Second to None - The ARA Trade Show

What is so great about the ARA Show?  Our team visits the International Awards Market for the following benefits:

1.  New products.  We make a list of product lines that need refreshing, along with engraving equipment or parts that need replacing.  Then we scout exhibits looking for new items that fill these needs.  For example, this year we will be looking for custom awards, medals, and gift items.

2.  Networking with our suppliers.  Most of our vendors attend the show.  We enjoy building relationships with them by meeting them face-to-face.

3.  Meeting other business owners.  Many awards retailers share ideas and help each other in their businesses.  Even though we are competitors, our philosophy is sharing ideas to boost the industry as a whole helps us all.

4.  Recognition the ARA gives to its members.  Many industry awards are distributed at the trade show, and it’s an honor to receive recognition from our peers.  In 2010, Trophies2Go received the ARA ‘Website of the Year’, and in 2012 received the ‘Large Retailer of the Year’ award.  The ARA also gives college scholarships to high school seniors students across the country through their ARIEF Scholarship Program.

We value our membership in the Awards and Recognition Association and are grateful for the good work this group does to help promote and grow the Awards and Recognition Industry.  We look forward to seeing all of our friends in Vegas!

Cheers,
Jessica

Our Updated Website Is Launching In August!

Technology changes, and it’s time for us to change with it.  Trophies2Go is in the process of moving to a new ecommerce platform, and we’re excited to launch our new website in August 2014!

Currently under development, here's a sneak peak of our new homepage.

Since 2000, Trophies2Go.com has been offering high quality awards with fast production times and excellent customer service to customers across the US.  Now we are taking our web site to a whole new level!  We are thrilled to be offering even better web functionality to our customers and staff.

What Will Our New Website Offer?

Better pictures.  We will have high resolution pictures with the ability to click into the product to see higher detail.

Quick ship items.  Need something fast?  We have lots of options!

Custom products.  From medals to acrylic awards featuring your logo, we will be able to make one-of-a-kind awards just for you. You dream it, we will create it!

Best value.  You will know which products are not only high in quality, but give you more bang for your buck.

Shipping calculator.  Know exactly when your awards will arrive – you choose the date.

When we launch in August, you will be able to see the improvements for yourself.  One thing that will stay the same is our ability to deliver exceptional awards, on-time, with outstanding customer service. If you have any suggestions for the new site, feel free to let Jeff or I know.  Technology rocks!

Cheers,
Jessica

Superbowl 2014

Seahawk players Marshawn Lynch and Golden Tate with a classic Jeff pose - Crazy & Toothless!

The countdown is on!  The game of the year, Superbowl XLVIII, is only a few days away.  The Seattle Seahawks face the Denver Broncos this Sunday, February 2nd,  in New Jersey.  The hawks are  making their second appearance in the championship, hopefully bringing home their first Lombardi Trophy.  For a city that has never won a Superbowl, this is epic to say the least.

What an amazing NFL football season it’s been!  The Seahawks have been HOT all year, with 13 wins, 3 losses, clinching the NFC Championship game vs. San Fransisco.  Our city and fans have responded.  Yes, the Hawks have been to the Superbowl before in the recent past, but the hype this time is much stronger. Not only are the Seahawks players local heroes, but the Pacific Northwest is seriously sick with 12^th Man Fever!!!!  12^th Man signs, flags, and jerseys are everywhere you look.  It's super exciting!

Our Lombardi-style trophies in our showroom are ready for a Seahawks win!

Check out this ESPN blog post for a quick take of the game:

http://espn.go.com/blog/seattle-seahawks/post/_/id/3806/quick-take-broncos-vs-seahawks

My family will be spending Sunday with many friends, plenty of food and beverages, kids running a muck, dressed in our Blue and Green 12th Man finery.  We are thrilled to be living in the PNW, cheering our team on to victory!  Enjoy the game and GO SEAHAWKS!

Cheers,

Jessica

Getting publicity is a real challenge for any business or individual. Free publicity is a commodity, and there are many companies vying for it. If you are hosting an awards ceremony or an individual in your company has won an award you want to publicize, there are certain steps you can take to catch the media’s eye.

A press release is the standard way to get your award noticed.

1. Send out a press release to various media members. Remember to keep your release short. If they are too wordy and need extensive editing, journalists will pass them by. Stick to pertinent facts – the 5 W’s and the H (Who, What, When, Where, Why and How). Proofread once and then proofread again. Nothing says “no go” like typos or incorrect words.

2. Consider joining or subscribing to a news service. A public relations newswire can distribute your awards presentation story for a minimal fee; this ensures that the media names you choose will receive the release. Also, consider subscribing to online media sources such as Newsle. This allows you to keep track of your favorite people when they are publicized online.

3. Humanize the story. Find some newsworthy tidbits about the person receiving the award. Did they do something truly exceptional to achieve this award? Do they have special circumstances or challenges in their life? The public likes reading about other people’s accomplishments, but more so if there are unique obstacles or tough odds along the way.

4. Tie your award with a charity. Choose a local charity – or local office of a national charity – and allow them to have a table, hang a banner, and speak at your awards presentation. Give them an award for serving the community. This makes your award ceremony event more newsworthy, especially if you present a donation to the non-profit at the event.

5. Partner with a NEW local business. Find a building that was just restored, a restaurant or hotel that recently opened and host your award ceremony there. Then have them co-promote the story with you, as they need the PR too! Because they are new and haven’t been in the news yet, the press is more likely to cover them.

6. Follow up! Contact the outlets that you sent the press release to and pitch the story in person. Offer that they interview the award recipient(s) and invite them to attend the award ceremony. Do this by phone, not just email. Follow up will get you noticed.

As this is a heavy corporate awards season, I hope these tips help you get the press you want for the accomplishments of your organization!

Cheers,
Jessica

How do we as a company give back to our community?  Once a quarter, we choose a charity to support through our 'Awards for a Cause' program.  A portion of sales from specific trophies and awards goes to the chosen organization.

Northwest Harvest is the only non-profit food bank distributor operating statewide in Washington.

For the first quarter of 2014, our staff chose Northwest Harvest as Trophies2Go's 'Awards for a Cause' recipient.  Northwest Harvest is the only non-profit food bank distributor operating statewide in Washington with a network of more than 360 food banks, meal programs and high-need schools. They provide more than 1.9 million meals every month and 30 million pounds each year to this network of emergency food providers.  With distribution centers in western, eastern, coastal and central Washington, Northwest Harvest reaches rural communities where people in need have limited access to adequate and nutritious food.

Northwest Harvest requires that food be given freely to anyone that asks, respecting their dignity while serving their need.  They are committed to high nutritional standards and purchase a significant share of food to ensure a consistent supply of in-demand, nutritious products. 70 percent of the food they provide is highly nutritious fruits and vegetables.  To find out more, visit the Northwest Harvest web page.

Trophies2Go will make a donation to Northwest Harvest based on selected product purchases.  For more information on this program, go to our Awards for a Cause page.  Thank you customers for supporting our community by purchasing 'Awards for a Cause' products.

Cheers,
Jessica