There are a variety of events held to honor or pay tribute to people including retirement parties, farewell parties, life-time achievement awards, service acknowledgement, anniversaries and many more. Regardless of the specific reason, the events are focused on recognizing the contributions and accomplishments of an individual by friends, colleagues, community members and beneficiaries of their contributions. These events can be particularly challenging to plan and carry out due to the pressure to deliver an event which measures up to the achievements of the individual being honored. By their very nature, these occasions are often intended to be once-in-a-lifetime events that will be remembered for years to come, not only by the honoree but also by those attending the event. An intended, or unintended, by-product of these events is that they can provide inspiration to other participants to strive for the level of achievement demonstrated by the honoree.

While the tone of these events can vary from highly dignified affairs to informal, humor-filled parties, Promotional Products can be a key element in delivering a truly memorable event for the honoree and guests alike. These customizable products provide the ability to personalize key elements of the events as part of the acknowledgement of the guest of honor. In addition, the large selection of customizable products enables organizers to select items which are both unique and appropriate for the honoree.

This blog provides some insight for planning and carrying out events to honor and pay tribute to guests of honor as well as promotional product ideas that can be effectively utilized to make it an event to remember. For more specific information on promotional products including those discussed in our blog, visit www.bnoticed.com or call us at 877.300.5005.

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Planning the Event

Themes

Developing a theme for the event can be helpful to ensure continuity as well as to narrow choices during planning. Ideally, the theme will be representative of the honoree in some manner. Consider potential themes related to the honoree’s profession, hobbies/interest, tenure or future plans. Check out some specific ideas for customized products that can be used with these and other themes our other blogs that provide ideas for invitations, decorations, keepsakes and awards. Some examples of each include:

Profession Based Theme

A theme can be derived from the honoree’s profession. Consider various attributes of the honoree’s profession to identify potential themes. That’s not to say that if the honoree is an accountant that you’re going to decorate a banquet hall with calculator tape (though, you might), rather you might simply create a theme around “taxes” or “money”. Here are some examples of possible themes derived from various professions and ideas on how they could be applied in parenthesis.

• Accountant/Finance: Priceless (contributions); A Profitable Career (retirement); Finally Finding Tax Relief (retirement)
• Educator: One For The History Books (accomplishments); 1,075 Children Later (lifetime achievement); The Graduate (retirement); The A+ Teacher (contributions)
• Physician: Healing Hands (contributions); A Heart for Hearts (contributions); Diagnostic Diva (fun/accomplishments); The Artist Surgeon (lifetime achievement)
• Engineer: Visionary Problem Solver (lifetime achievement); The Bridge Builder (accomplishment); From Vacuum Tubes to Micro Chips (retirement); Leaving on His Supersonic Jet Plane (retirement)
• Sales: The Ultimate Road Warrior (lifetime achievements); The Closer (accomplishment); The Million Dollar Man (Fun/contributions);

Hobbies/Interests Based Theme

While the honoree’s hobbies and interests can clearly be the basis of a theme for personal accomplishments, they can also work for professional awards. This can be particularly true for those who are especially avid about their hobbies. Here are some examples:

• Golfing: A Hole In One (used metaphorically for any accomplishment); Hitting the Greens (retirement)
• Baseball/Softball: The Grand Slam (achievement); Out of the Park (accomplishment); Hall of Fame (retirement)
• Bowling: The Perfect Series (lifetime achievement); The Perfect Hook (sales achievement)
• Gardening: The Harvester (accomplishments); A Bountiful Crop (lifetime achievement)
• Fishing: Going Fishing (retirement); The Ultimate Fish Story (fun, accomplishment);

Tenure and Future Plans Theme

Particularly appropriate for retirements, service awards, anniversaries and time based awards, use themes based on the honoree’s tenure or future plans. For example, this could include a theme based on the year an employee started with a company (e.g. 1950’s theme). Other examples include:

• Then and Now: From Operator to Office Manager (service); 1960 vs. 2011 (retirement); The Way We Were (anniversary);
• Path: The Journey (service); You Are Here (retirement); Pinnacle (achievement)
• Traditional: Golden (anniversaries); Silver (anniversaries)
• Traveling: Setting Sail (retirement); Taking A Hike (fun/retirement); Bon Voyage (retirement)
• Moving: Westward Ho (fun/relocation); Moving On Up (fun/relocations);Green Acres (fun/relocation); The Great Escape (fun/relocation)

The Invitation List

Determining who to invite to an event honoring someone for their achievements can be challenging especially when the honoree has touched many lives and has been doing so for an extended period of time. Here are some considerations:

• Family: Regardless of whether the person is being honored for their professional achievements, volunteer efforts or personal accomplishments, the guest of honor’s spouse/partner and immediate family members should be invited. Of course, the invitation will likely include extended family members for more personal events (e.g. milestone birthdays, wedding anniversaries, etc.)
• Friends: While inviting friends and neighbors would certainly be appropriate for personal events, there may also be some friends that would also be appropriate to include for professional tributes. This may be particularly true of close friends that have had a supportive role in the individual’s career or whom the honoree is especially close to. It’s recommended that the honoree’s spouse or a close family member be consulted to determine whether an invitation should be extended to any close friends.
• Co-workers: While tributes for professional achievements sponsored by the honoree’s employer or volunteer organization will certainly include some coworkers (or other volunteers), the extent to which other employees and volunteers are invited may be in question. Companies should not only consider immediate coworkers/volunteers but also those who the honoree may have worked with closely in the past whether they have moved on to different roles, other companies or retirement. It’s a good idea to remember that honoring the individual also sends a message to the other guests who may be inspired by both the honoree’s accomplishments and the organization’s acknowledgement of them. For personal tributes, it’s probably best to limit co-worker invitations to those whom the honoree has a personal relationship with outside of the office unless there are some extenuating reasons for including others.
• Colleagues: Organizations should consider other colleagues that may be appropriate guests for a professional acknowledgement. These colleagues may include customers, suppliers, service providers or other resources that the honoree has worked with extensively. Such guests can make an event all the more significant for the honoree while also demonstrating the value the organizations places on their people.
• Dignitaries: While it is advisable to limit guests to those who have meaningful relationships with the honoree, there can be some exceptions where a guest may not even know the honoree. This can be the case with special guests or dignitaries who, by nature of their position, have reason to pay tribute to the honoree even if they don’t have a direct relationship with them. These may be high level executives from the organization, community leaders, or experts in the field. For a volunteer organization, it might even include a representative beneficiary of the individual’s and organization’s efforts. Keep in mind that such dignitaries may be accompanied by some level of an entourage; contact them to determine their specific needs accordingly.

Invitations

While Traditional Printed Invitations and Announcements are giving way to electronic invitations for many events these days, there are some events where a tangible invitation delivered to guests’ doors remains the appropriate choice. Tributes, like weddings, are such events. As major life events, a tangible invitation makes a statement about the importance of the honoree to both the guest and honoree alike. Too, many honorees and guests will want to retain a copy of the invitation for posterity.

This is not to say that a tribute invitation has to be traditional. In fact, to really make an impression, it is suggested that planners consider some unique and innovative alternatives to invite guests to participate in the tribute. Ideally, invitations should be consistent with the overall theme of the event. There are a variety of approaches that can be used to create an exceptional invitation that will capture attention and BNoticed, including:

• Custom Packaging: Instead of just sending a invitation in an envelope, consider enclosing the invitation in a Custom Package that will not only stand out in the mail but will make a statement at the same time. For example, for a formal event, enclose the traditional printed invitation in a custom necklace style box that is tastefully imprinted on the cover with the name of the honoree and event theme. Inside, present the invitation in folded tissue paper closed with a gold embossed seal bearing the name of the honoree and date of the event. It will most certainly make a statement about the formality of the evening as well as the value placed on the guest of honor.
• Unique Media: Rather than just sending a paper invitation, consider some of the innovative alternatives available like an audio or sound card invitation. For example, upon opening a card the recipient hears some fanfare music followed by an announcer advising them of the honoree’s accomplishment and the planned tribute. Of course, an accompanying printed message would be provided for ease of reference.
• Innovative Products : With the ability to customize imprints on such a large variety of products, consider choosing a product supportive of the theme that can be imprinted as the invitation. For example, for a lifetime achievement event, organizers might choose a humorous “From the Beginning of Time” theme and send out or imprinted stone tablets as invitations.
• Engaging Products: Create a intriguing invitation that engages the recipients. For example, send a custom puzzle imprinted with the specifics of the event that can be easily assembled by recipients. It will be an invitation that will definitely be rememebered!

For more innovative invitation ideas, see our Innovative Invitation Ideas blog page accessible from the menu on the left of your screen or for a complete selection of promotional products visit www.bnoticed.com or call 877.300.5005.

Decorations

Decorations are the real opportunity to develop the theme of the event as well as to further emphasize the guest of honor. In addition to traditional decorations, consider some innovative products recognize the honoree while also supporting the theme. Look for choices that appeal to all senses from table centerpieces stocked with candy and wine glasses filled from customized wine bottles to scented candles and appropriate lighting. Here are some ideas on some ideas to help decorate for a tribute event.

• Uniquely Common: Use unique and innovative versions of common decorations to enhance your theme. For example, there is a large selection of unique confetti available beyond the colored squares, circles and triangles. Consider a sprinkling of number confetti corresponding to the years of marriage or service for anniversary or retirement events. Use money confetti for financial related themes.
• Formal Statements: Consider a lead crystal centerpiece imprinted with the honoree’s name and filled with custom candy pieces. Stock tables with custom wine bottles or custom champagne bottles etched with the event’s theme.
• Feminine Flare : For a creative centerpiece, picture an artistic red purse trinket box overflowing with custom chocolate.
• Fun Apparel: Incorporate your theme in the apparel of servers, speakers or even all the guests. For a “going fishing” retirement theme, provide arriving guests with their own bucket hats embroidered with the honoree’s name… add an imprinted fishing lure for even more effect. Just imagine the surprise when the honoree sees everyone in the room wearing a bucket hat!
• Strategically Inexpensive: Even for more formal events, inexpensive decorations can be used strategically to support the them. For example, golden statue cut-outs reminiscent of those Hollywood awards can be effective for a tribute event. To avoid the obvious appearance of a cut-out, however, place them high along the length of the walls of facilities with high ceilings or have them peak through red curtains as part of the backdrop of a stage.
• Appeal to the Senses: Consider expanding decorations beyond sight and sound. Consider using subtly scented candles in the table centerpieces recognizing that various scents can support different themes. A series of lighted mirrored balls deployed throughout the room can be used to support a variety of themes based on the light intensity and color used. For example, an intense white light beam could be used to create a spark effect in a fairly well lighted room while using the same mirrored balls with a mixture of colored flood lights in a more dimly lighted can create a more festive ambiance. Where possible pursue menus that are fitting for the theme as well adding the element of taste. For a sports enthusiast honoree using a casual baseball theme, consider having “ballpark vendors” serving up game-day foods like hot-dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jacks.

For more innovative decoration ideas, see the Event Decoration Ideas blog page from the menu on the left or for a complete selection of promotional products visit www.bnoticed.com or call 877.300.5005.

Event Program

There are a variety of ways to honor an individual at a tribute event from a traditional series of speakers to a contemporary multi-media presentation… and there’s still plenty of room for innovation along the way. Here’s some specifics on the various approaches available for consideration:

• The Master of Ceremonies: While it’s important for anyone delivering a presentation at an event to be a good speaker, it’s critical for the MC. The best MC’s are not only good speakers, but have the ability to speak spontaneously based on the circumstances of the event. The ability to be humorous is another highly desired attribute for an MC. Not only do people like to laugh but it will help keep their attention and leave a lasting positive impression from the event. Ideally, the MC will be someone who knows the honoree well. This will enable them to provide meaningful insight and comments to kick off the event as well as between speakers and in closing. As an alternative, it’s often possible to hire professional comedians, speakers, news personalities or disc jockeys to serve as the MC. When doing so, however, it’s a good idea to check references and visit another event that they are MC’ing to ensure that they’re a good fit for your event.
• Traditional Speakers: The traditional approach for an event in honor of someone is to utilize a series of speakers to pay tribute to the honoree. These may include coworkers, customers, friends, family, organization management or dignitaries. Obviously, the selection of speakers will be based on their ability to speak about the honoree in relation to their accomplishments that triggered the event. With a series of speakers, it is best to have all speakers seated at a head table with the honoree (and don’t forget spouses/partners/dates). This can help to keep speakers together and the event on-schedule. There’s nothing worse than having a lull in the presentations while searching for the next speaker. If speakers are not seated together, consider assigning a volunteer to coordinate with speakers to ensure that each is ready and waiting for their turn. Provide speakers with appropriate guidelines concerning the length of their comments, available audio/visual aids, and desired topics. In some cases, it may be beneficial to choreograph the speakers so that they can each discuss specific accomplishments or attributes of the honoree to keep presentations fresh and interesting for all.
• Roasts: At roasts, speakers use humor to honor the special guest by making fun of them in various ways while still acknowledging their achievements. While these events can be a lot of fun and very entertaining, they can be risky since there’s a potential that a speaker may inadvertently make an offensive comment. As such, roasts are probably most appropriate for thicker skinned honorees. To further mitigate the risk, choose speakers carefully and provide them with guidelines. In extreme cases, it may be desirable to ask speakers to provide their planned comments in advance for review.
• PowerPoint Tributes : Using a PowerPoint slide presentation can be a great way to help pay tribute to an honoree when there is interesting visual evidence of their work. Showing pictures of buildings and bridges that an architect helped designed would be great; showing pictures of a 1040EZ form completed by an accountant probably wouldn’t be. Slide tributes can be played in the background accompanying one or more speakers with or without reference by the speaker or they can be accompanied with a full audio track or just music. Be creative, you might just be able to present pictures of coworkers and colleagues holding up signs with one or two words describing the honoree.
• Video Tributes: While video clips can be a great way for someone who is unable to attend the event to pay tribute to the honoree, they can also be a great way to include more people in paying tribute. Consider video tapping various coworkers giving their own personal tribute to the honoree and playing the compilation during the event. In addition to providing an opportunity for more people to honor the special guest, it can allow for editing to orchestrate the overall flow of the comments and provides a definite timeline for the tribute.
• Audience Involvement: While it’s often overlooked, audience involvement can be a great opportunity to create an innovative and memorable event. Look for ideas to engage the audience at key moments throughout the event. Include a photo-op with the guest of honor upon entry (or if it’s a surprise, make it a life-size cut-out replica of the honoree). Involve guests by providing them with a prop (like the aforementioned fishing hat) to use at a specific time during a presentation. Involvement could be as simple as asking the audience to respond to questions about the honoree with their applause.

Use a combination of these approaches to create a one-of-a-kind event that both the honoree and guests will remember for years to come. Also, give the honoree and presenters a copy of the program including estimate times for each activity to help them be in the right place at the right time. To make it an added keepsake for the presenters and honoree, consider binding the program in anembossed padfolio or, better yet, oversized or unique shaped menu cover.

Guest Keepsakes

Remember that events honoring an individual for their accomplishments can also be inspirational for other guests and participants. As such, give everyone some sort of keepsake from the event. It will not only remind them of the honoree, their accomplishment and the event, but may also serve to reinforce that inspiration. There’s a large selection of gift items available that can be customized with the honoree’s name, event theme/title and date of the event. It might even include an inspirational quote from the honoree. Here’s some ideas ranging from fun and whimsical to refined and classy.

• Bobble Heads: For a fun event, give each of the guests a Bobble Head designed to look like the honoree. The bobble head can even be dressed appropriately for the theme of the event.
• Custom Compact Disk: For events using slide show presentations or video, consider giving each of the guests a copy of the presentation/video on a Custom Compact Disk imprinted event information. An insert can even be included with photos and a biography of the guest of honor.
• Framed Photos: When photos are taken of guests upon their arrival with the honoree, consider sending them a copy of their photos in a Customized Picture Frame etched with the event information.
• Themed Gifts : Consider giving guests gifts that are consistent with the theme of the event such a Customized Money Clips engraved money clips for a financial theme or Etched Heart Shaped Key Tag to support a “A Heart for Heart” theme.
• Collectibles: Collectibles are great keepsakes for companies recognizing retirements or years of service as well as organizations recognizing volunteers. Custom Coins, Lapel Pins and other items enable a organization to deliver something uniquely customized for the honoree while being consistent from one event to the next. Such items also enable participants to develop a collection of the items from each event they attend.

For more innovative keepsake ideas, Event Keepsake Ideas blog page from the menu on the left or for a complete selection of promotional products visit www.bnoticed.com or call 877.300.5005.

Tribute Awards

While the event itself will clearly let the honoree know that their contributions are both recognized and appreciated, it’s important to provide them with an Award that will be used to remember as well as show and share with friends and colleagues. It’s important to consider that an award is as much a reflection on the organization that is presenting it as it is on the recipient. There are literally thousands of different types of awards to choose with an ever increasing number of highly innovative and unique. In addition to the more traditional trophies and plaques, consider some of the alternative including crystal awards, art glass pieces and sculptures. Many of these awards, like Splash (pictured above), are blurring the lines between award and art pieces enabling them to be prominently displayed in home and office settings with pride.

For more innovative award ideas, see the Award Ideas blog page from the menu on the left or for a complete selection of promotional products visit www.bnoticed.com or call 877.300.5005.