Awards

Small business owners, the news media and others are invited to attend the Washington-based U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) National Small Business Week where the nation’s top entrepreneurs will be hailed during events held May 23 to 25, 2010, in Washington.

City of Industry, California-based Sweda Company announced it has earned for 2009 awards for Supplier Excellence, Customer Service Rep of the Year and Multiline Rep of the Year from distributor eCompanyStore.

Superior Uniform Group, Seminole, Fla., announced two of its customers, Hilton Hotels and Ruby’s Restaurant Group, took home winning trophies from this year’s National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD) Image of the Year (IOY) award ceremony.

Scott E. Siegel, MAS, president of R.S. Owens & Company, Chicago, a 72-year-old privately held manufacturer and distributor of recognition awards and gifts, has been named chairman of the board of Promotional Products Association International (PPAI).

The nation’s top entrepreneurs will be honored at the Washington-based U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) National Small Business Week events to be held May 23 to 25. A series of events and educational forums will mark the 57th anniversary of the agency and the 47th annual proclamation of National Small Business Week.

The promotional products industry is full of company's that have adopted ecologically friendly practices. From changes in office behavior and recycling practices to full-bore revamps of manufacturing methods and materials used, I think it is safe to say the “green” industry is bigger than U.S. Steel (name that movie reference).

HALO/Lee Wayne, Sterling, Ill., presented the company's 2009 Supplier of the Year award and 2009 Supplier Representative of the Year award at its annual awards gala held at the Las Vegas Four Seasons Hotel, Las Vegas.

Lewisville, Texas-based Parago, a leading provider of innovative rewards-based incentive solutions, announced president and CEO Juli Spottiswood was named the Best Entrepreneur in the Service Businesses up to 2,500 employees category at the 6th Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Parago was additionally a finalist in the Best Overall Company of the Year category.

On September 17, 2009, a combined Walker-Clay/Hub Pen corporate running team “Write Stuff” participated in the ninth annual Thompson Island 4k Trail Run to benefit the island’s Outward Bound Education Center.

The mechanics of a successful awards program are fairly straightforward. Someone does something you like. You give them an award to show your appreciation. They accept said award and smile. Handshakes ensue. Clapping and/or cake may be involved. That's not the hard part.