Crystal D WOW Champs Unveiled for Q1 2025

    Crystal D isn’t just a company that produces awards and gifts for others — we also practice recognition and appreciation with our own employees, who we call Memory Makers. We have a variety of programs in place to highlight our people for the ways they contribute, carry themselves and serve our customers.   

    Every quarter we spotlight five Memory Makers nominated by their peers for living out our company’s core values. Congratulations to the WOW Champs for the first quarter of 2025!  

    Here’s who they are and some of the kudos they received.

     

    Paula — Accounts Receivables 

    Core Value: Integrity — “I do what I say I will do.” 
    “Paula has taken on so much in the Accounting field in the last few months. Her attention to detail on everything she does shows daily.  She is definitely all about quality in all aspects of what we do every single day.”

      

     

    Leelam — Sales

    Core Value: Quality — “I have the unyielding persistence to improve.” 
    “Leelam and I work closely together, and many of our customers overlap. When working together, she is quite thorough in her ability to close gaps in knowledge I may have regarding an order submitted. I deeply appreciate her ability to backtrack and find the details needed. She is dedicated to her role in Sales and is a fantastic steward of our resources.”

     

    Manny — Production

    Core Value: Commitment — “I am committed to the ongoing viability of the company.”  
    “Manny is dedicated to his role. He shows up to work and starts working right away at the sink. Sometimes, if you don’t see him at the sink, then he is in the buffing room buffing pieces. I can tell he works very hard every day buffing and taking off mask in the sink.“

      

    Susan — Production

    Core Value: Respect — “I treat others the way I want to be treated.” 
    “Susan has proven herself to be a very amicable and approachable person. She is fun to work with and chat with, and actively listens to what people say to her. Even when things get hectic she maintains a friendly attitude. Sue is wonderful, kind, and respectful. She comes to work daily on time and starts working away. She respects and commits herself to the daily operation goals. She pulls her share of the work with a smile, staying focused, and not distracting others.”

     

    Mike — Production

    Core Value: Passion — “I have the burning desire to achieve, in all I do.” 
    “He is a master of his craft; no matter my questions, he is ready and willing to get me the most up-to-date information and what we can and cannot do. I know that his drive to put out the very best products gives me confidence when I am working with customers that have questions regarding the colorfill process, and what we can and cannot do.  His patience and care are always present in the pieces he produces and in how he treats the members of the team around him. Passion comes in a lot of forms, and his attitude that only the best will suffice is awe-inspiring . Our customers want the very best, and I know having him at the helm of colorfill lets me know only the best of the best is going out that door!”

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    Meet “Flip it Friday,” Crystal D’s time-saving business development tool

    Crystal D has launched an innovative, technology-driven award business development tool designed to make selling awards simple, easy and fast! Flip it Friday features new ideas each week that distributors can quickly share with their customers to spark new projects.  

    “Flip it Friday is for those who don’t yet have awards as part of their daily offerings, as well as those who do sell awards but want to make it a more prominent part of their business,” said Josh Gerads, brand manager at Crystal D.  

    “With just 5 percent of promotional product distributors selling awards within the $518 million awards market, the potential to grow a business with existing customers through recognition is highly lucrative, and we’re here to help.” 
     
    Subscribers to Flip it Friday get weekly emails that showcase ideas they can “flip” to their customers—either right away, or when a project need comes up—in less than 60 seconds. It’s easy: Clicking on “Flip it” in the email takes distributors to a landing page with details about the design featured and how it can be customized. To share an award idea, just copy its unique link into a text message or email and send!

    “Distributors see what each week’s theme is, then decide which ideas to share with their customers and when,” Gerads said. “Crystal D is here help guide the rest of the process, from design to delivery.” 
     
    Another cool feature: The landing page customers see is always branded with the distributor’s contact info—not Crystal D’s. 

    Keeping awards top of mind 
    Mike Irvine, Crystal D’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, said that Flip it Friday makes it easier than ever to pitch and sell awards—especially in a time when revenue is slowing across the promotional products industry.  

    “This dynamic content helps distributors drive touchpoints and conversations with their clients, while the frequency keeps recognition top of mind,” Irvine said. He went on to say Crystal D sees the tool as a game changer and a business booster, something Gerads agrees with.  

    “Since soft-launching Flip it Friday, we are already hearing from customers who say the ideas are helping to start conversations with clients that they might not have had otherwise,” Gerads said. 

    “These conversations help keep awards top of mind, prompt creative discussions about what’s possible, and position promotional distributors as the true recognition pros.” 
     
    Created with distributors, for distributors  
    Flip it Friday was developed as part of Crystal D’s customer journey initiative aimed at creating solutions to help distributors promote themselves as top providers of awards, while making it simple to do sell. The company gathered feedback from both seasoned sellers and those who are newer to the recognition industry. 

    “These business owners said they are so busy managing their current projects that they have virtually no time to drive outbound business development opportunities, like awards, to grow their business,” Gerads said. “We also heard that they need fresh product ideas to pitch. Flip it Friday was born to help serve this need.” 

    Flip it Friday is available to Crystal D customers at no additional cost. In addition to this new tool, sellers choosing Crystal D for their awards and gifts still have access to complimentary professional marketing materials, white-label websites, idea and design support, product virtuals and end-to-end customer service.  

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    Crystal D Named to 2025 PPAI 100 List

    MAY 20, 2025 – ST. PAUL, Minn. – www.crystal-d.com – Crystal D, leading supplier of crystal awards and gifts, has been named to the PPAI 100 Suppliers list for 2025. This is the second consecutive year the company has been honored, and it is now ranked at 75—up 13 spots from 2024.

    Crystal D ranked in at 75 on the PPAI 100 Supplier list for 2025, up from 88 in 2024.

    Recognized as the promotional products industry’s highest honor, the PPAI 100 spotlights the leading 100 suppliers and 100 distributors based on data-driven objective scoring. Companies receiving the PPAI 100 ranking were evaluated on a wide range of performance indicators, including revenue, business growth over time, corporate social responsibility, technology practices, workforce strength, employee happiness, industry faith and more.

    “On behalf of all the Memory Makers at Crystal D, we are honored to once again earn a place on the PPAI 100 list. Our team works diligently to ensure we deliver the highest-quality awards and customer service, and this ranking reflects their dedication,” said Mike Irvine, Crystal D’s chief operating officer.

    “Crystal D is committed to making it simple, easy and fast to work with us, and we appreciate PPAI taking the time to recognize the excellence we provide as a supplier and employer. Thank you to PPAI, as well as our incredible customers, for your continued support!” 

    ‘Doing business right’
    Josh Ellis, PPAI Media’s publisher and editor-in-chief, called the PPAI 100 the “ultimate measure” of industry leadership.

    “The firms that have earned this status do business right,” he said. “They represent the leading edge of the promotional products industry through their commitment to innovation and responsibility, their business practices and philosophy.”

    Ellis added that PPAI 100 takes a well-rounded approach to measuring business performance, and that the companies earned their ranking through careful consideration of every aspect of their organization. “It identifies the best of the best,” he said.

    About PPAI
    Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) is the world’s largest and longest-serving international not-for-profit promotional products association with a 120-year history of serving a membership that has grown to more than 15,000 corporate members, and advocating for the $26+ billion promotional products industry with its more than 33,700 businesses and more than 500,000 professionals. For more information, visit https://ppai.org.
     
    About Crystal D  
    Crystal D (www.crystal-d.com), leader in crystal awards and gifts, has been delighting recipients with the highest-quality recognition products for more than 30 years. We are known as the Home of “The WOW Effect” ® because every item is designed by our artisans in St. Paul, Minnesota, and this meticulous attention to detail turns the emotion of a recognition experience into a lasting memory. Crystal D offers over 1,500 innovative and elegant awards and gifts, guarantees an industry-leading production time of just six to eight days after art approval, and has earned five-star status for our customer service. Contact us at (800) 544-1131 or email sales@crystal-d.com. Interested in joining our team of Memory Makers? Visit Crystal-d.com/careers.

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    How to master your golf award game

    With leisure on the links in full swing, event planners and tournament coordinators are aiming for awards and gifts to hit a hole in one — instead of landing in the rough. Crystal awards strike that classy vibe synonymous with golf and are treasured trophies that will be displayed (and maybe even humblebragged about!) for years to come.

    Here are “fore” ways our themed awards can really up your golf-award game!  

     

     

    • Performance: Beyond the expected awards for first, second and third place, golf awards can celebrate things like Best Foursome, Hole-in-One, Longest Putt, Rookie of the Year, Chipping Contest Champ and Best Dressed. Some of our hottest golf-themed award designs are putters or drivers, and have 3D subsurface images within them.

     

    • Participant gifts: Gift sets with shirts, visors and golf tees are common, but crystal awards stand out and are never tossed in the back seat of the car. You might be surprised to know how affordable these stunning pieces can be, too. (Under $60 for a customized golf ball and less than $20 for a tourney memento with a 3D image etched into it? Cue the polite applause.)

     

    • Legacy: The sport itself is rife with history, from its origins around the middle ages to its modernization in Scotland. So, too, are its players. Honor athletes who have contributed over the years by marking special milestones like 10, 15 and 20 years of participation, and introduce a Goal-Setter award to chronicle past winners!

     

    • Donor appreciation: Donors help support charity golf tournaments in a big way, and crystal gifts thoughtfully branded and personalized as a thank-you are a beautiful way to acknowledge and showcase their generosity.

    Parkdale Square 6525

    For assistance with golf award and gift selection, customization ideas, questions and quotes, contact us at (800) 544-1131 or email sales@crystal-d.com.   

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    Crystal D Hires Shelley Bednarski as territory manager 

    April 17, 2025 – ST. PAUL, Minn. – www.crystal-d.com – Crystal D, the leading supplier of crystal awards and gifts, has added Shelley Bednarski as a sales team territory manager. 

     

    Bednarski brings to the role her expertise in sales and business development, which positions her well for building strong customer relationships. She will be an active partner in coaching distributors on selling awards and helping their clients establish and foster recognition programs.  

    Shelley Bednarski, territory manager

     

    “Shelley has a long history of working with major suppliers in our industry, so her experience will be essential to Crystal D as we grow,” said Ray Rodriguez, vice president of sales. “In addition, her passion for awards and recognition, as well as for helping clients see the returns in their investments, are invaluable resources for our customers.” 

     
    Since entering the promotional products industry in 2001, Bednarski has held positions in marketing and sales, and has served as a multiline rep and factory rep for several Top 40 suppliers. She says joining Crystal D is a natural progression for her career, where she has represented several top-tier companies in the industry. 

    “I chose to work with Crystal D, this smaller, yet incredibly impactful awards and recognition company, because of its unique family dynamic and close-knit, collaborative environment,” Bednarski said. “The supportive atmosphere here mirrors the best aspects of the larger companies I’ve worked with, yet with a level of personal connection that fosters true teamwork and growth.” 

    Bednarski is excited about educating and guiding distributors in integrating awards and recognition into their existing business offerings. She sees a real need in today’s workforce, where “quiet quitting” is on the rise.  
     
    “Our end-users are more in need than ever of effective ways to keep employees engaged, appreciated, and recognized for their contributions,” she said. “Awards and recognition have a direct impact on employee morale and retention, and I’m proud to be part of a company that delivers meaningful, tangible solutions.” 
     

     

    About Crystal D   

    Crystal D (www.crystal-d.com), leader in crystal awards and gifts, has been delighting recipients with the highest-quality recognition products for more than 30 years. We are known as the Home of “The WOW Effect” ® because every item is designed by our artisans in St. Paul, Minnesota, and this meticulous attention to detail turns the emotion of a recognition experience into a lasting memory. Crystal D offers over 1,500 innovative and elegant awards and gifts, guarantees an industry-leading production time of just six to eight days after art approval, and has earned five-star status for our customer service. Contact us at (800) 544-1131 or email sales@crystal-d.com. Interested in joining our team of Memory Makers? Visit Crystal-d.com/careers.   

     

     

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    Crystal D welcomes Ray Rodriguez as sales leader, promotes Tawauna Garner

    Feb. 27, 2025 – ST. PAUL, Minn. – www.crystal-d.com – Crystal D, leading supplier of crystal awards and gifts, has added industry veteran Ray Rodriguez to its sales leadership team and promoted Tawauna Garner to solutions manager. 

     

    After consulting with Crystal D over the last six months, Rodriguez joins the company as its vice president of sales. 

    Ray Rodriguez, vice president of sales

     

    “Ray’s deep industry knowledge, along with his extensive experience with strategic planning and relationship building, have already made him a trusted advisor for Crystal D,” said Bridget Dahlgren, executive vice president of marketing and sales. “Ray’s commitment to serving our customers and maintaining high standards align with Crystal D and our passion to be the very best.” 

     

    Dahlgren said the company is “ecstatic” for Rodriguez to lead the sales team in articulating the value and ROI of recognition, while coaching and guiding customers on growing their award sales businesses profitably.  

     

    With more than 30 years of experience in sales management roles within promotional and premium businesses, Rodriguez has earned the reputation as an industry expert, as well as a widely respected sales and marketing leader.  
     
    His resume includes roles at top 40 suppliers and distributors, and he has also owned and managed his own real estate brokerage. In addition to his role at Crystal D, Rodriguez will continue to run 5Ppromo, his consultancy for suppliers and distributors, and navigate the Mexico market with AmeriMex, a division of 5Ppromo.   

     

    Rodriguez is especially passionate about helping suppliers refine and grow their businesses, and he has hit the ground running as Crystal D’s sales leader.  
       
    “Awards is an exciting and creative category to represent! As salespeople, it’s uncommon to present a product where a buyer can easily identify a return on their investment,” Rodriguez said.  
     
    “Selling awards is a high-purpose sale and the value of recognition, to the recipients as well as to the business, can easily be articulated. My team and I are excited to share our winning formula for success that will impact the bottom line for both our customers and theirs.”  

     

    As a coach to his team and customers, Rodriguez will be training and developing sales proficiencies to help successfully implement, execute, and grow awards and recognition programs. 
       
    “I am blessed to work with Crystal D and its team,” he said. “They are committed to being the best in the awards and recognition space. I’ll see everyone on the road!” 

     

    Promotion of Tawauna Garner  
    Longtime, award-winning Memory Maker Tawauna Garner has been promoted to solutions manager. It’s the latest in a series of progressions Garner has made as a leader on Crystal D’s inside sales team, known as the Solutions Team. 
     
    “Tawauna has been our lead solutions specialist for the past year and she has consistently gone above and beyond,” Dahlgren said. “She’s demonstrated outstanding leadership and care for her team, as well as her customers, and we’re excited to see her step into this new role.”

    Tawauna Garner, solutions manager

      
     
    With the Solutions Team reporting to her, Garner carries on her responsibilities for making the project idea, design and quoting process simple, easy and fast, while building a team that consistently delivers a memorable experience.  

     
    “Tawauna’s passion for serving and partnering with our customers is second to none!” Dahlgren said.  

     
    Garner has been with Crystal D since 2016 and has held several roles with the company’s customer service and sales teams, earning accolades from both inside the company and within the industry. 

     

    About Crystal D   

    Crystal D (www.crystal-d.com), leader in crystal awards and gifts, has been delighting recipients with the highest-quality recognition products for more than 30 years. We are known as the Home of “The WOW Effect” ® because every item is designed by our artisans in St. Paul, Minnesota, and this meticulous attention to detail turns the emotion of a recognition experience into a lasting memory. Crystal D offers over 1,500 innovative and elegant awards and gifts, guarantees an industry-leading production time of just six to eight days after art approval, and has earned five-star status for our customer service. Contact us at (800) 544-1131 or email sales@crystal-d.com. Interested in joining our team of Memory Makers? Visit Crystal-d.com/careers.   

     

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    How to master your golf award game

    With leisure on the links in full swing, event planners and tournament coordinators are aiming for awards and gifts to hit a hole in one — instead of landing in the rough. Crystal awards strike that classy vibe synonymous with golf and are treasured trophies that will be displayed (and maybe even humblebragged about!) for years to come.

    Here are “fore” ways our themed awards can really up your golf-award game!  

     

     

    • Performance: Beyond the expected awards for first, second and third place, golf awards can celebrate things like Best Foursome, Hole-in-One, Longest Putt, Rookie of the Year, Chipping Contest Champ and Best Dressed. Some of our hottest golf-themed award designs are putters or drivers, and have 3D subsurface images within them.

     

    • Participant gifts: Gift sets with shirts, visors and golf tees are common, but crystal awards stand out and are never tossed in the back seat of the car. You might be surprised to know how affordable these stunning pieces can be, too. (Under $60 for a customized golf ball and less than $20 for a tourney memento with a 3D image etched into it? Cue the polite applause.)

     

    • Legacy: The sport itself is rife with history, from its origins around the middle ages to its modernization in Scotland. So, too, are its players. Honor athletes who have contributed over the years by marking special milestones like 10, 15 and 20 years of participation, and introduce a Goal-Setter award to chronicle past winners!

     

    • Donor appreciation: Donors help support charity golf tournaments in a big way, and crystal gifts thoughtfully branded and personalized as a thank-you are a beautiful way to acknowledge and showcase their generosity.

    Parkdale Square 6525

    For assistance with golf award and gift selection, customization ideas, questions and quotes, contact us at (800) 544-1131 or email sales@crystal-d.com.   

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    Crystal D donates 20 percent of 2024 Legacy Gallery award sales

    Feb. 21, 2025 – ST. PAUL, Minn. – www.crystal-d.com – Crystal D, the leading supplier of crystal awards and gifts, is celebrating its late founder’s birthday this week by making charitable contributions in his honor.

    “Chuck deeply believed in the power of giving back, lending a hand, and leaving others better than he found them,” said Jeanne Dahlgren, Chuck’s wife and Crystal D’s president.

    “It brings me joy to honor him through our Legacy Gallery, and I am grateful for the work these organizations do every day to improve lives around the world.”

    Crystal D President Jeanne Dahlgren

    Chuck would have turned 73 tomorrow, and Jeanne has chosen to mark the occasion by making the donations to the nonprofits she selected as Legacy Gallery beneficiaries: Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, International Rett Syndrome Foundation, Water for South Sudan and 4 Paws for Ability.

    When Crystal D launched the Legacy Gallery in late 2023 as part of its Crystal D Cares giveback program, it did so with the goal of living out the generosity Chuck Dahlgren modeled his entire life. Crystal D has committed to giving 20 percent of the product total from Legacy Gallery award purchases each year.

    “He was an incredibly kind person, and creating the Legacy Gallery was a perfect way to carry on that giving spirit,” Jeanne said. “Thank you also to our customers who have chosen Legacy Gallery awards for celebrating their people. Together, and with Chuck’s spirit around us, the world is a little brighter today.”

     

    About Crystal D
    Crystal D (www.crystal-d.com), leader in crystal awards and gifts, has been delighting recipients with the highest-quality recognition products for more than 30 years. We are known as the Home of “The WOW Effect”® because every item is designed by our artisans in St. Paul, Minnesota, and this meticulous attention to detail turns the emotion of a recognition experience into a lasting memory. Crystal D offers over 1,500 innovative and elegant awards and gifts, guarantees an industry-leading production time of just six to eight days after art approval, and has earned five-star status for our customer service. Contact us at (800) 544-1131 or email sales@crystal-d.com. Interested in joining our team of Memory Makers? Visit Crystal-d.com/careers.

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    Crystal D announces 2024 Q4 WOW Champs

    Crystal D isn’t just a company that produces awards and gifts for others — we also practice recognition and appreciation with our own employees, who we call Memory Makers. We have a variety of programs in place to highlight our people for the ways they contribute, carry themselves and serve our customers.   

    Every quarter we spotlight five Memory Makers nominated by their peers for living out our Core Values. Congratulations to the WOW Champs for the third quarter, as announced this week!  

    Here’s who they are and some of the kudos they received.

     

    Paul — Warehouse 

    Core Value: Integrity — “I do what I say I will do.” 
    “Paul always comes through when we need him. He is accurate, fast, and consistent. This makes him trustworthy to his fellow Memory Makers. His attention to detail and accuracy saves us time and energy. We are a stronger company because of Paul.”

      

     

    Olivia — Subsurface

    Core Value: Quality — “I have the unyielding persistence to improve.” 
    “Olivia runs her lasers and checks her pieces with such precession. She is constantly checking and rechecking pieces to make sure they reach our quality standard. So much so, that she’s created a standard of her own. She is always asking questions and inquiring on if things can be adjusted or made better. She sweats every detail and is always trying to produce the best possible pieces.”

     

    Matt — Supply Chain

    Core Value: Commitment — “I am committed to the ongoing viability of the company.”  
    “What sets Matt apart is his relentless commitment to the best interests of the company. He works tirelessly each day, going above and beyond to ensure our success and maintain our position as industry leaders. His work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to maximize resources to achieve the best possible outcomes are qualities that truly embody the spirit of commitment.”

      

    Brenda — Customer Service

    Core Value: Respect — “I treat others the way I want to be treated.” 
    “This Memory Maker interacts with her peers with a positive and supportive attitude day in and out. She genuinely cares for her fellow memory makers and never fails to make you laugh.”

     

    Mike — Sales

    Core Value: Passion — “I have the burning desire to achieve, in all I do.” 
    “Mike is committed to his customers and understands them well. His enthusiasm and excitement oozes out of his pores all day long! Working alongside Mike is energizing and fun because he loves to create memorable ideas and awards for his customers.”

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    We’re sold on these awards and gifts for realtors and clients

    Real Estate Sign

    Hunting for the perfect home or commercial space takes time, patience and creativity. And with so many factors that influence a sale—from location to financials to timing—it’s a cause for celebration when those reams of papers are signed and boxes are unpacked!  

    Real estate agents work hard, and crystal awards that recognize their efforts are meaningful reminders that their work pays off. These beautiful pieces also signal to buyers and sellers that their agents are experts at what they do, as well as trustworthy professionals dedicated to guiding them through the transaction.  
     
    In addition, providing clients with tokens of appreciation after the sale isn’t just a kind gesture; it’s a reminder to them of what they have invested in and who helped them get there. 

    Crystal D has customized countless crystal awards for real estate professionals and agencies over the years, along with appreciation gifts for buyers. Here are some of our favorites; click on them for additional information.  

    See the potential? We’re sold! Standard production time for customized crystal awards is 6 to 8 days after art approval, and we have more than 120 options available for Quick Ship, which ship out in 1 to 2 days after art approval. Crystal D can assist with product selection, customization ideas, questions and quotes. Contact us at (800) 544-1131 or email sales@crystal-d.com.  

    Iconic Column Award

     

    Crystal Key Award

     

    Arch Goal Setter

     

    Residence House Paperweight

     

    Pen Holder

     

     

    House Paperweight

     

    Galileo Thermometer

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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