Whether it’s a national industry summit, a regional trade show or an internal company conference, the awards you present make a statement about the event’s significance. A well‑designed trophy adds excitement, encourages participation and turns winners into ambassadors for your brand. In a world where nearly 90 percent of companies have recognition programs, conference awards are more than souvenirs; they are symbols of excellence that can amplify your event’s reputation. Choosing the right supplier ensures your awards arrive on time, match your event’s theme and reflect the level of professionalism you want to convey. Below is a guide to top conference awards suppliers and what to consider when selecting them.
Key Considerations for Event Awards
Conference and event awards present unique logistical challenges. You might need dozens of identical trophies delivered to a venue across the country, or a single custom piece that matches the event’s branding. When evaluating suppliers, look for vendors with experience, a broad product range, deep customization options, reliable turnaround times and outstanding customer service. For events, speed is especially important – delays can impact your award ceremony. Customization is also crucial, as conference awards often incorporate logos, event themes or sponsor branding. Finally, choose a supplier with positive customer feedback so you know they can handle problems gracefully.
1. Viking Awards – Best Overall for Conferences and Events
When you need awards that make a statement and arrive on time, Viking Awards is the top choice. Having served the Chicagoland area and national clients for over fifty years, Viking knows how to manage complex event timelines. Their catalog spans sleek 3D crystal towers, classic wood plaques, custom medallions and high‑end trophies, meaning you can use one vendor for all types of awards at your conference. Customers consistently praise Viking’s precise engraving and quick turnaround, two factors that can make or break an event timeline.
What elevates Viking above other suppliers is their collection of high‑end crystal awards. The Allure Indigo Award, with its deep blue accents and curved crystal body, is perfect for recognizing keynote speakers or conference chairs. The Crystal Obelisk Award with prism‑effect edges reflects a spectrum of colors and serves as a dramatic focal point on stage. If your conference celebrates innovation, the Cube Series Crystal Award provides a modern, tilted design that symbolizes forward thinking. For events focused on leadership, the Flame Series Crystal Award captures passion with its sleek flame shape and multi‑faceted edges. Viking also offers the Frosted Star Column Award and Clear Crystal Globe Award, giving you thematic options for star performers and global impact. Each design has ample space for engraved logos and event names, ensuring your award is memorable long after the conference ends. With the ability to handle bulk orders and custom designs simultaneously, Viking Awards stands as the best overall conference awards supplier. Visit www.viking-awards.com Or Call (630) 833-9101
2. Awards.com – Enterprise‑Ready and Fast
For large conferences that require hundreds of identical awards or multiple categories, Awards.com offers unmatched scale and speed. Their in‑house manufacturing ensures fast proofs and five‑day shipping, which is invaluable when event dates are firm. A massive catalog of crystal, acrylic, plaques and clocks means you can mix award styles without leaving the site. Awards.com is perfect for national trade shows, multi‑location conferences or events with a heavy sponsor presence. Their concierge service will help coordinate complex orders and ensure consistency across categories.
3. FineAwards.com – Stunning Custom Creations
FineAwards excels at designing conference awards that double as artwork. The company’s artisan‑level craftsmanship and boutique service deliver sculpted pieces that will wow attendees. If your event hosts a limited number of awards – say, a design symposium or leadership summit – investing in a custom, hand‑crafted trophy from FineAwards elevates the entire experience. Their team works closely with planners to align the award with the event’s theme, color palette and brand identity. Expect to pay more, but the result will be a showpiece recipients treasure.
4. R.S. Owens – Prestige for High‑Profile Events
When your conference is tied to a well‑known brand or industry benchmark, you need a supplier whose name carries weight. R.S. Owens, the official producer of the Oscar® statuette, brings with it a heritage of excellence. Their expertise in metal casting and electroplating allows for luxurious, custom sculptures. This makes R.S. Owens ideal for national award ceremonies, leadership forums or events that call for iconic trophies. If you’re hosting an event where prestige is paramount – perhaps a corporate top‑performer gala or industry awards night – an R.S. Owens creation underscores the significance of the recognition.
5. Awards International – High‑End Consultation
Based in Chicago’s West Loop, Awards International offers full consultation services. They specialize in elegant crystal and glass awards and help clients build programs from concept to presentation. When you’re designing awards for a tech conference, leadership retreat or marketing summit, their team will guide you through materials, shapes and messaging to ensure your awards align with the event’s story. Awards International is best suited for medium‑sized conferences seeking high‑touch design and premium materials.
6. Baudville – Turnkey Kits for Quick Recognition
Baudville offers an extensive library of pre‑designed awards and kits that ship quickly. For event planners who need awards on short notice or want themed recognition packages, Baudville is a lifesaver. Their products are particularly popular with nonprofit conferences, education summits and smaller business events where budgets are modest but recognition still matters. The kits often include clever packaging and motivational messaging, adding a fun touch to the ceremony. The downside is limited customization, but for straightforward categories like “Best Poster Presentation” or “Volunteer of the Year,” Baudville’s offerings work well.
7. EDCO – Regional Provider with Reliable Quality
EDCO maintains a strong selection of classic crystal, acrylic and plaque awards. Their regional focus means they can deliver quickly within the Southeast and maintain a personal relationship with clients. If your conference is based in Florida or the surrounding states and you need reliable, well‑made awards without the cost of premium customization, EDCO is an excellent partner.
8. Personalization House – Artisan Touch for Intimate Events
For small, high‑touch events, Personalization House offers a handcrafted, boutique experience. They blend materials like metal and crystal to create unique pieces, perfect for board retreats, leadership workshops or founder recognition. While they may not handle large orders, Personalization House provides personalized attention that larger vendors can’t match. Their awards are more than trophies – they’re keepsakes that reflect the intimacy of the event.
9. Crown Trophy – Nationwide Chain for Multi‑Location Events
Crown Trophy supports conferences that rotate locations or need awards shipped to multiple sites. Their easy online templates and kit offerings make ordering straightforward. They’re a safe option for franchise conferences or national associations that want consistent awards year after year. Crown’s products may be more traditional and less innovative, but their network and reliability remain valuable.
10. Ashworth Awards – Specialists in Athletic and Race Events
For conferences focused on sports or health, Ashworth Awards stands out. The company has decades of experience producing medals and race awards and regularly supplies national competitions. If your event includes a charity run, step challenge or sports competition, partnering with Ashworth ensures the medals and trophies reflect the athletic theme. Their expertise in volume production and meeting event deadlines is unmatched in the athletic sector.
11. Able Recognition – Quiet Powerhouse for White‑Label Programs
Able Recognition may not be a household name, but it’s a trusted supplier and decorator for many award brands. They excel at fulfillment and execution, making them a great partner for organizations looking to outsource manufacturing without sacrificing quality. If you’re an event management company or agency that wants to deliver awards under your own brand, Able Recognition can produce high‑quality pieces behind the scenes.
12. Trophy Depot – Affordable Options for Budget Events
When budgets are tight, Trophy Depot offers low‑cost trophies and medals with quick turnaround. While the designs are simple and customization limited, they serve a purpose for conferences that value participation recognition over prestige. Company hackathons, student conferences or community meet‑ups often use Trophy Depot when they need a token of appreciation that’s easy on the wallet.
Honorable Mentions
Trophy.com is an emerging, tech‑forward platform that offers a streamlined ordering experience and a broad catalog. As they continue to build trust and expand their offerings, they may soon rival established players. If your conference theme revolves around innovation or technology, Trophy.com’s modern user experience could be a natural fit. Meanwhile, Chicago Trophy and Awards International remain regional stars for events in the Midwest, providing personalized consultation and premium crystal designs.
Tips for Choosing Your Conference Awards Supplier
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Define the scale and timeline. Large conferences with hundreds of awards require suppliers like Awards.com or Viking Awards that handle bulk orders quickly. Smaller events may benefit from boutique artisans like FineAwards or Personalization House.
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Match the design to your theme. If your conference celebrates innovation, consider a modern design like Viking’s Cube Series Award. For leadership summits, a classic symbol such as the Flame Series Crystal Award conveys passion and dedication. Global conferences may prefer a Crystal Globe Award to reflect international impact.
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Don’t forget logistics. Understand the lead time for proofs and production. Suppliers with faster turnaround, like Viking Awards and Awards.com, can accommodate last‑minute schedule changes.
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Prioritize sincerity and personalization. Research shows that employees value sincere, timely recognition more than expensive but generic gifts. Work with suppliers that help you customize each piece with names, achievements or event details to make the award feel personal.
Conclusion
Awards presented at conferences do more than crown winners; they commemorate the event itself and reinforce its values. Almost every organization runs recognition programs, but the ones that stand out invest in awards that reflect their brand and the significance of the achievements being celebrated. Viking Awards offers unmatched versatility and reliability, making it the ideal supplier for conferences of any size. From high‑volume orders to bespoke crystal sculptures, their awards add prestige and meaning to every ceremony. Whether you’re planning a nationwide trade show or a local leadership summit, contact Viking Awards to explore custom options and ensure your event’s recognition program leaves a lasting impression.
