6 Overlooked Awards Every Workplace Should Be Presenting

    Leaders everywhere want to spotlight the grit, teamwork, and standout wins that propelled them through the year. But recognition isn’t just about sales numbers or years of service anymore (though those classics never go out of style).

    This year, people looking for corporate awards need to think bigger: they need to purposefully recognize more contributors, in more ways, across every level of their organization. This kind of recognition feels inclusive, fresh, and truly meaningful. It’s not just about what people do at work. It’s about who they are and how much your organization respects them as individuals.

    Here are 6 award categories to add to the mix:

    • Leadership & Teamwork – for those who make collaboration look effortless.

    • Innovation & Creativity – celebrating the people bringing fresh ideas to life.

    • Cultural Impact – honoring champions of company values and inclusion.

    • Personal Milestones – from degrees to certifications, achievements outside of work deserve applause too.

    • Volunteerism – shining a light on community service and mentorship.

    • Retirements – giving a heartfelt sendoff to employees, partners, or board members.

    Why It Still Matters

    Workplaces are evolving fast, but one thing hasn’t changed: people love to feel seen. A thoughtfully designed, custom award makes that moment of recognition unforgettable—and it pays off big with loyalty, engagement, and motivation for the year ahead.

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    Crystal D Goes Beyond Crystal in Introducing New Substrates

    Sept. 3, 2025 – ST. PAUL, Minn. – www.crystal-d.com – Crystal D, leading supplier of awards and gifts, is announcing a significant expansion of its product offerings after 30 years of specializing in crystal.  

    The company has introduced “80 new ways to wow” with the addition of designs made of stone, wood, and acrylic. These substrates were carefully curated over the past year to complement Crystal D’s timeless crystal designs—providing customers with more options than ever to meaningfully recognize recipients.

    “Our customers have expressed that they want to work with us on orders with a wider range of

    New product substrates, from left: Stone, wood, stone, wood, acrylic, wood and acrylic

    materials, textures, features and price points, and we are excited to show them what we can do,” said Bridget Dahlgren, executive vice president of marketing and sales.

    The latest styles broaden opportunities for sourcing customized awards and gifts, with unique selling points like durability, eco-conscious materials, and exceptional value. Each has been tested to meet Crystal D’s rigorous standards, assuring customers of the high quality and meticulous craftsmanship they desire, as well as the superior customer service they expect through every step of the process.

    Expanding who we wow
    Crystal D started out as a supplier of drinkware, ornaments, and paperweights in 1993, and introduced its first award in 1995. Evolution is part of its heritage, and as offerings are expanded beyond premium crystal, the company is—and will remain—Crystal D at heart.

    “Our name and moniker will go unchanged, as will our commitment to being the leader in creating unforgettable recognition experiences,” Dahlgren said.

    “We’re not changing who we are. We are just expanding who we WOW.”

    As more designs will be added in the coming months, customers are encouraged to follow Crystal D for updates via email and social media. For additional information or inquiries, please contact sales@crystal-d.com.

    About Crystal D   
    Crystal D (www.crystal-d.com), leader in 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 designs, 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 named to PPAI’s ‘Greatest Companies’ list for second consecutive year

    August 28, 2025 – ST. PAUL, Minn. – www.crystal-d.com – Crystal D, leading supplier of awards and gifts, has been named one of PPAI’s Greatest Companies to Work For in 2025, the second year in a row it has earned the designation.

     

    “Our Memory Makers are the heart that fuels Crystal D, and we are humbled and honored to know that we are a workplace where they love to be,” said President Jeanne Dahlgren.

     

    “We’re passionate about our mission and deeply grateful to our team for their daily contributions. Together, we turn emotions into memories for millions of recipients, and it’s a true joy to make this happen. Thank you to PPAI for recognizing us as one of the top large companies in the industry in 2025.”

     

    Crystal D, with more than 30 years in the promotional products industry and a #75 ranking within the PPAI 100 top supplier designation, was nominated by an employee for the industry-wide competition that includes PPAI members from both the U.S. and Canada. As part of the process, all Crystal D employees were invited to participate in PPAI’s confidential survey, where they rated the company on a range of topics — including its values and ethics, benefits offerings, and the individual’s confidence about their future within the organization.

     

    Within their responses, Crystal D employees noted fair pay, personal confidence about their futures, efficiency, and excellence among their favorite things about working for the company.

     

    Additionally, commenters shared their appreciation for colleagues living out the company’s values—fostering a genuine sense of unity, support and shared purpose, and contributing to a culture “where collaboration and respect are at the heart of our success.”

     

    Mike Irvine, executive vice president and chief operating officer, said being named one of the greatest promotional product companies to work for is a true testament to the incredible resilience and teamwork at Crystal D.

     

    “Despite the challenges and changes our industry has faced in the last year, our employees have continued to come together as one team, supporting one another with commitment and passion,” he said.

     

    “It’s this unity that allows us to not only be the best for each other, but to consistently deliver “The WOW Effect”™ for our customers. I couldn’t be prouder of our team and the culture we’ve built.”
     
    About Crystal D  
    Crystal D (www.crystal-d.com), leader in 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 designs, 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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    Memory Makers honored as Q2 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 p

    From left: Heather, Ava, Lynn, Ann and Todd

    eople 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 second quarter of 2025!  Here’s some of the kudos they received.

     

    Heather — Internal Marketing 

    Core Value: Integrity — “I do what I say I will do.” 
    “This lady rocks! She is always willing to jump in and help and she does it with grace. Heather is filling in in other departments; she is helping the virtual team put the slide deck power points together. She is a true Memory Maker. If all employees had this drive, this dedication, we would be number one and on top every month of every year! This is the true meaning of what our values are.”

     

    Ava — Production

    Core Value: Quality — “I have the unyielding persistence to improve.” 
    “Ava just started here not too long ago, and she’s definitely keeps quality top of mind. I worked on a new order for a sublimated plate, and as I was adjusting the image size for the plate in PhotoShop, I missed a spot that needed editing. Ava came to my desk and said there was a smudge that looked like an ‘A’ in the background (probably from using the content aware tool). It was so faint I didn’t even see it while I was working on the order. Ava’s attention to detail is AMAZING! What an great save!”

     

    Lynn — Art

    Core Value: Respect — “I treat others the way I want to be treated.”
    “We had a customer approve their art, but the art had highlighted questions, from Lynn to the customer, that weren’t answered. Instead of sending the order to production, she reached out to me to follow up with customer. In the end, the customer had four mistakes he missed and he would have had to re-do the four awards had Lynn not reached out to double check. Lynn had a keen eye for details that saved our customer re-dos. She is definitely an expert at her job, and cares about our customers.  Our customer wrote back that Lynn needed a raise for proofreading! 🙂 What a SAVE!”

     

    Ann — Art & New Product Development

    Core Value: Commitment — “I am committed to the ongoing viability of the company.”  
    “Ann has been working exceptionally hard on new product development. She and the team have designed 80 new products, including some using unfamiliar raw materials. Ann has done an excellent job keeping everyone organized and maintaining detailed updates for each new product.”

     

    Todd — Sales

    Core Value: Passion — “I have the burning desire to achieve, in all I do.” 
    “Todd is quick with a joke, but it’s the motivation behind the jokes that set him apart. Todd is able to connect with Memory Makers across all teams. He makes you feel like ‘one of the guys … or gals.’ Todd is so friendly and engaging, I can see one reason why he makes for a great sales team member. Not only that, he makes others around him here at Crystal D feel seen and appreciated, even though they may usually be several steps away from working directly with him. This kind of people-first attitude, even to individuals he doesn’t otherwise work with, makes for a friendlier workplace environment.”

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    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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