How To Host A Successful Awards Banquet
The high school awards banquet is often the emotional culmination of an athletic season, and an acknowledgement of the time and effort put in by players, parents, coaches, and staff. Whether your teams win or lose, the banquet is an important opportunity to recognize successes and give encouragement in looking to the future.
Here are some tips for ensuring your athletic awards banquet is a win for everyone.
Plan Ahead
Make sure you have set expectations for your event and that you communicate them clearly to players and parents alike. Set a clear beginning and ending time for your banquet and communicate expectations for players, including what to wear or bring.
Some of your student speakers may be nervous about speaking in front of a crowd. Try to prepare them by having them think about how sports have affected them personally. Have them come up with a personal message to pass on to younger players.
Put your presentation in order and write everything down. Know and say the first and last name of each player, manager, and staff person. When speaking about players, highlight and emphasize three key things that show character and growth. Make sure to recognize all players.
Celebrate & Reflect
The banquet is the perfect time to reflect on how the team and players evolved throughout the season. Reflect on your vision and goals for the season and celebrate team and individual accomplishments. Pick out a positive moment or character trait for each player and highlight it.
The secret to hosting a great banquet is rewarding the students so they feel inspired. Decide what awards you’ll be handing out to your student athletes. Make sure to give yourself enough time to order any personalized medals, ribbons, plaques or certificates.
Try to think of ways to include every member of the team. Everyone wants to be appreciated, and the award doesn’t have to be big or pricey to be effective. At Awards America, we can create custom awards for you so you can make sure everyone is recognized in a personal and meaningful way.
Say Thank You
Make sure to thank everyone, including the principal, athletic director, custodians, bus drivers, managers, and of course the parents and players. Consider everyone who played a part in the success of your season and acknowledge them all.
It’s important to create a memorable and inspiring moment in the lives of young athletes. With a little planning, you can make your athletic awards banquet an event that everyone looks forward to. Ensure your banquet awards get to you on time by placing an order with your Awards America rep or by calling us at 800-462-9293.
