How to Plan a Recognition Ceremony Party

You will learn how to throw recognition ceremony party that will honor the person being rewarded in front of his or her peers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Invitations
• Award Plaque/Certificate
• Decorations
• Food and beverages
• Optional

1. Schedule a date and location for the recognition ceremony. Make sure that the location is suitable for the number of people who will be in attendance. You don't want to hold the ceremony in an auditorium for 500 if only 20 people will be attending. You also don’t want to have too many people crammed into a confined space.
2. Determine who should be invited to the recognition ceremony party (peers, coworkers, family) and send e-vite invitations or paper invitations. Will it be a surprise for the person being recognized? If so, indicate in the invitation that the party will be a surprise, so that no one spills the beans early. Also write in the invitation why this person is being recognized. For example: "We would like to have a recognition ceremony for Sarah Smith for increasing sales in her region by 15% over last quarter sales."
3. Determine who will present the recognition certificate or plaque to the person being recognized and make sure they have a speech prepared indicating why s/he is receiving this honor. The person giving the speech should thank the honoree for his or her dedication, teamwork, perseverance, etc.
4. The day of the ceremony, decorate the room where the party will be held with appropriate decorations, if there are any. Banners or streamers, etc. may be used. If food will be served, set up chairs, tables and tablecloths, food and serving pieces that will be needed.
5. When the ceremony is minutes away, round up the invitees to the space the ceremony will be held. If the ceremony is a surprise, make sure to have someone find a reason to bring honoree to the location. Once s/he has arrived, let the recognition ceremony party begin! Have fun!

Tips & Warnings

• Food is a great way to get attendees to go to ceremony, whether it's a "Congratulations" cake or chips and drinks, you will have a bigger turnout if food is served.
• Be sensitive to people who did a good job in addition to the honoree. Make sure you recognize all of the contributors during the ceremony.