Australian-made, hand-blown, and built to be remembered.

Choosing the right award or trophy for your event isn’t just about recognising success — it’s about celebrating people, culture, milestones and the values of your organisation. A meaningful award becomes a symbol of achievement. A forgettable one… ends up in a box.

If you’re organising an awards night, corporate gala, sports presentation, school event, industry conference, sales recognition or a government celebration, this guide will help you choose an award that feels premium, thoughtful and truly unforgettable.

1. Start With Your Event Type

Every event has a different tone. Matching the award to the moment is what creates impact.

• Corporate Awards Nights

Choose sculptural, modern awards with a premium presence.
Hand-blown glass is ideal — every piece is unique.

• Staff Recognition & Milestones

Look for awards with warmth: curved forms, colour, and pieces that feel personal.

• Industry Awards / Conferences

Choose bold statement pieces that photograph well on stage and look impressive in media coverage.

• School & Community Awards

Prioritise timeless shapes and colours that suit all ages and achievements.

• Government & Agency Awards

Choose Australian-made pieces — it aligns with values, sustainability and local support.

2. Choose Materials That Match Your Brand

Your award should reflect the quality of your organisation.

Hand-Blown Glass (your specialty)

✔ One-of-a-kind
✔ Beautiful under lights
✔ Perfect for premium, corporate and government events
✔ Can be customised with colours, engraving and branding
✔ Doubles as an art piece for home or office

Glass awards are far more memorable than mass-produced crystal or acrylic — and they tell a richer story.

Explore Custom Glass Awards →
https://contemporaryco.com.au/pages/corporate-gifting

3. Consider Colour Psychology

Use colour intentionally. It communicates more than people realise.

• Blue → trust, professionalism (corporate, government, finance)

• Green → growth, innovation (environmental, business, education)

• Red / Orange → energy, excellence (sport, performance)

• Clear / Neutral → timeless, elegant (anything high-end)

• Bold Colour Blends → creativity (design, media, arts sectors)

Your artists can create colours to match your brand or event theme — a huge advantage over mass-produced awards.

4. Personalise With Engraving & Branding

This is where your awards go from “beautiful” to meaningful.

Engraving options include:
• Recipient names
• Achievement type
• Event name
• Year
• Company logo
• Custom artwork

You also offer:
✔ Branded satin-lined boxes
✔ Bespoke wooden presentation boxes
✔ Bulk corporate packaging

This elevates the entire gifting experience.

5. Choose the Right Size & Shape

A common mistake is choosing an award that’s either too small to be impressive or too large to transport.

Safe rules:

✔ Table awards → 15–22cm
✔ Stage awards → 25–35cm
✔ Premium statement pieces → 30–45cm

Curved shapes, sculptural forms, and wave-inspired designs are especially striking under lighting.

Your glass awards tick every box.

6. Think About the Moment on Stage

The award should photograph beautifully.

Hand-blown glass picks up light, colour and reflections — which makes it the best material for events with:

• Photography
• Media coverage
• Social media
• Live broadcasting

Acrylic awards often look flat. Glass comes to life.

7. Order Early (3–6 Weeks Ahead)

Because every piece is handmade, lead times matter.

Recommend to clients:
• 3–5 weeks for standard awards
• 6–8 weeks for custom colours or bulk orders
• Rush orders available depending on workload

Your old-fashioned customer service makes this process smooth — and clients love that.

Best Picks for 2024–2025 Corporate Awards

All available via Contemporary Co

✔ Custom Hand-Blown Glass Trophies

(Sculptural forms, wave pieces, colour blends)

✔ Recognition Orbs

(Awards that double as décor — a favourite for VIPs)

✔ Kinetic Corporate Pieces

(Elegant, modern and unforgettable)

✔ Custom Colour Awards

(Brand-aligned and perfect for premium events)

See all corporate options:
https://contemporaryco.com.au/pages/corporate-gifting

Why Choose Australian-Made Awards?

✔ Supports local artists
✔ Higher perceived value
✔ Better quality than imported trophies
✔ More sustainable
✔ Unique pieces that recipients display proudly
✔ Perfect for government and corporate alignment

Your awards aren’t just trophies.
They’re artworks with meaning.

If You Need Help Choosing, We’re Here

You offer customer service the old-fashioned way — real people who genuinely care.

Chat, text, email or call anytime, and your team will help choose the perfect award for your event.