Tips & Tricks | Estimated Read time – 3:10
Do you offer medals or a medal alternative at your event?
A common thread we’ve been noticing amongst industry professionals and customers is around the topic of medals & awards.
We took a look at what events are doing and have put together a list of the most popular and creative ideas in the industry…
More than medals
For many participants, medals can hold so much meaning.
If you don’t have a few medals hanging up in your own home, you most certainly know someone who has their weight in medals proudly displayed at theirs!
Medals can be a physical reminder and representation of a participant’s hard work and the memories of their training and event day experience. Maybe you’re looking for a new spin on your medal to excite participants, or want to be more environmentally conscious about your medal game.
We’ve got ideas for you!
Is your event focused on sustainability?
Try a non-metal material for your medals that’s compostable for participants to take home and plant a tree/flowers of their own!
Is your event part of a broader series?
Offer a puzzle medal that creates a complete medal when a participant completes the series!
Think about how participants might display their medal
A magnetic award for example could be framed with a metal back to display a variety of awards in one place.
Medal alternatives
Recently, some events have looked for ways outside of medals to recognize participants, or even support a related cause.
We noticed two predominant non-medal trends:
1. Medal opt-out
To accommodate a diverse group of participants, some events have provided the option for participants to opt-out of a physical medal in exchange for an alternative incentive. These alternatives can complement the theme or mission of your event to really connect with participants.
Let’s look at some popular opt-out options events have offered participants:
Option to donate the value of the medal
Do you work closely with a fundraising organization? Offer to donate the value of the medal for each participant that chooses to opt-out.
Offer a small discount on registration (~$5)
Every penny counts! Make your event more accessible by offering options that make the cost more affordable for participants.
Option to plant a tree on your participants’ behalf
Does your event take place near an area affected by forest fires? Or is your event associated with an environmental foundation? Plant a tree on behalf of those participants who opt-out!
Offer to ship their packet pick-up materials in advance of the event.
Convenience is valuable, especially for your out-of-town participants! In lieu of a medal, offer to ship their packet materials ahead of the event so they can skip the line!
Extra food/drink tickets post-event
Many participants look forward to celebrating with food and beverages post-event, so why not offer an additional food or drink ticket in place of a medal?
Pro Tip: Try out digital medals
You can use Race Roster’s digital medal tool to create a permanent and shareable keepsake for participants!
2. Awards that connect with participants
Perhaps you want a way to reward participants for their accomplishments outside of a medal. Non-medal awards often connect with the theme of your event, where it takes place, or the partners your event works with.
We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite creative non-medal awards to inspire your next event:
Provide an experience
Whether it’s a beer garden, concert or kid-friendly fun, create an experience for your participants to celebrate together!
Custom or branded shoelaces
On-theme, personalized items are always a favourite. This is also a space for a sponsor or partner to brand!
QR code discounts for products or partnering brands
Leverage and support your event partners and sponsors by encouraging participants to shop with an exclusive discount!
Branded food/drinks
Your logo and food or beverage: two great things in one! Check out our creative idea spotlight below for a delicious example.
Pro Tip: Create awards on Race Roster
Create personalized awards that reflect the uniqueness of your participants using our Award feature! We’ve put together some tips to create meaningful awards in our article.
Creative Idea Spotlight
Medal Cookies by Servus Calgary Marathon
When the Servus Calgary Marathon wasn’t sure their medals would make it off the shipping dock and to their event on-time, they baked up a creative idea: medal cookies!
Share your ideas
We want to know what your event is doing! Share a photo of your creative awards and tag @raceroster on social media!
What’s new at Race Roster?
Visit our what’s new page for the most noteworthy Race Roster updates!
