Award Maven Blog
Insights & Updates
Stay informed with the latest trends in employee recognition, corporate awards, and workplace culture.
Latest articles
Award Maven Named One of PPAI's 2026 Greatest Companies to Work For
In August, PPAI named Award Maven one of its 2026 Greatest Companies to Work For in branded merchandise, in the Top Small Companies category, based on a survey of our own team.
Oct 19, 2026, 3 min readCarmen Elise Named a 2026 PPAI Rising Star
PPAI has named Award Maven founder Carmen Elise one of its 12 Rising Stars for 2026, its annual class of emerging leaders in the branded merchandise industry.
Oct 16, 2026, 2 min readEmployee Recognition Metrics That Matter: Participation Rate, Nomination Quality, and Retention Signals
Measure your recognition program's real impact. Learn which employee recognition metrics matter most: participation rate, nomination quality, and retention signals.
Sep 01, 2026, 5 min readRecognition That Sticks: Why Pairing a Physical Award With a Bonus Changes Perception
Discover why pairing a physical award with a bonus creates stronger employee recall than either alone. Includes research, practical guidance, and award ideas.
Aug 25, 2026, 8 min readWhat Advertising and Marketing Professionals Actually Want From Branded Merch
ASI research reveals what advertising and marketing professionals want from promo products. Data on quality, sustainability, brand apparel, and favorite items.
Aug 18, 2026, 6 min readPromotional Products by Generation
ASI research across four generations reveals what each group wants from branded merch. Data on retention drivers, sustainability, AI sentiment, and top items by age.
Aug 11, 2026, 15 min readPromotional Products for Real Estate
ASI research reveals what real estate professionals want from branded merch. Data on utility, brand apparel, social responsibility, e-commerce habits, and favorite items.
Aug 04, 2026, 6 min readPromotional Products for Nonprofits
ASI research reveals what nonprofit end-buyers want from branded merch. Data on utility, sustainability, budget sensitivity, AI sentiment, and top-rated items.
Jul 28, 2026, 5 min readPromotional Products for Tech Companies
ASI research reveals what tech professionals want from branded merch. Data on utility, sustainability, brand apparel, AI sentiment, and favorite promo items.
Jul 21, 2026, 6 min readPromotional Products for the Government Sector: What the ASI Data Reveals
ASI research reveals what government sector end-buyers want from promotional products. Data on utility, Made in USA, brand apparel, and top-rated items.
Jul 14, 2026, 6 min readRecognition Cadence That Works: Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Annual (and What to Use Each For)
Get your recognition cadence right for 2026. Learn what weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual recognition should look like and what purpose each frequency serves.
Jul 07, 2026, 5 min readService Anniversary Award Wording: 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 Years (Examples)
Find the right words for every service anniversary. Get 30+ award wording examples for 1, 3, 5, 10, and 15-year milestones that feel specific and genuine.
Jun 30, 2026, 6 min readSee it in your hands before you order
Award Maven makes awards, plaques and branded gifts for companies. Get a free crystal paperweight engraved with your name: use your company email. We review each request and may decline.