service award presentation speech

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What Should I Say To Present An Award?

This is one in a series of posts that uses my ready made speech templates to help you get a start on this type of speech or presentation.

In this one we will look at “Presenting An Award’ – whether this is an internal business award or part of a greater recognition in the business community.

As always, the first step in your preparation is to understand why your audience is there and why it is you making the presentation or speech.

You may not need to adjust what you plant to say but it is always important to understand the “why” before you begin to prepare your speech or presentation.

To start with, we need to acknowledge that all of us are often more interested in ourselves than others so you will need to make the presentation match the needs of your audience (as well as the recipient) to maintain interest in your speech.

For me, I prefer to prepare it as two speeches – one is the actual announcement, the other is the “support” speech which is structured to enable it to be adjusted for any required length of time.

Here is a template I use to help me write this type of speech.

• “Today marks the announcement of…..”
• “ Firstly I would like to share with you a little of the history of this award and how the winner is determined. …….”
• “It is now my privilege (or honour) to announce ……”
• “ Please join with me in congratulating …..”

Taking this one section at a time, section 1 simply needs the name of the award to be inserted. The value of starting this way is that it gives the audience time to focus on you and the occasion.

Section 2 is where you can adjust your time to the time allocated for your part of the presentation. The content of this section should be structured as you would for any speech – tell them what you are going to tell them ( ” Firstly I would like to share with you a little of the history of this award and how the winner is determined”); tell them the information keeping it relevant to the audience; then conclude and lead in to section 3.

Section 3 then becomes a direct announcement of the award name and the recipient name. Make sure you pause before you say each of these.

Section 4 is your opportunity to complete your presentation and exit the stage.

A word of warning about using “but”, “however” or “because”. My experience shows that an audience remembers what you say after these words not what is important ly said before them. e.g. I am pleased to be announcing this award BECAUSE it has taken such a long time to finalise it. You could still express this sentiment by saying I am pleased to be announcing this award AS it has taken such a long time to finalise it.

Always keep in mind that the most important part you are presenting is the award (or making the announcement), not the history of the award or how it is determined. By being prepared and having a structured presentation you run less risk of being side tracked during your presentation.

Speeches HQ

6 Employee Award Ceremony Speech Samples

Looking to recognize your team’s hard work and dedication? An employee award ceremony is a fantastic way to show appreciation and boost morale. But crafting the perfect speech can be tricky. You want to strike the right tone, highlight achievements, and inspire your workforce.

Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. This article offers six sample speeches for employee award ceremonies, ranging from brief remarks to longer addresses. Each example showcases different approaches and styles to help you find the right words for your event. Ready to knock your next award ceremony out of the park? Let’s dive in!

Employee Award Ceremony Speech Samples

Here are six speech samples to inspire and guide you in creating your own memorable employee recognition address.

1. The Brief but Impactful Recognition

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed colleagues,

Tonight, we gather to celebrate excellence. In a world that often moves too fast to pause and reflect, we’re taking this moment to recognize the incredible achievements of our team.

To our award recipients: your dedication, creativity, and tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed. You’ve raised the bar, inspiring us all to reach higher and dream bigger.

To everyone here: your contributions, big and small, are the building blocks of our success. Together, we’ve overcome challenges, shattered expectations, and proven that teamwork truly does make the dream work.

As we honor our standout performers, let’s also celebrate the collective spirit that makes our company great. Here’s to another year of innovation, collaboration, and shared success.

Thank you all, and congratulations to our winners!

— END OF SPEECH —

Commentary: This concise speech sets an uplifting tone for the ceremony. It’s ideal for smaller companies or departments, or as an opening address for a larger event.

2. The Motivational Medium-Length Address

Good evening, everyone. Thank you for being here tonight.

We’ve come together to celebrate something truly special – the extraordinary individuals who make our company thrive. Each person in this room has played a part in our success story, but tonight, we’re shining a spotlight on those who’ve gone above and beyond.

To our award winners: you represent the very best of what our organization stands for. Your passion, your drive, and your unwavering commitment to excellence have set you apart. But more than that, you’ve inspired those around you to reach for greatness.

Think back to where we were a year ago. The challenges we faced seemed insurmountable. But you didn’t just rise to the occasion – you soared. You found innovative solutions, fostered collaboration, and pushed the boundaries of what we thought possible.

Your achievements aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet or project milestones met. They’re the foundation of our future success. They’re the reason we can confidently say that our best days are still ahead of us.

To everyone here tonight: let the accomplishments we’re celebrating inspire you. See the potential within yourself to be sitting in these seats of honor next year. Because greatness isn’t reserved for a chosen few – it’s within reach for all of us who dare to dream big and work hard.

As we recognize our top performers, let’s also acknowledge the team spirit that makes it all possible. No one achieves greatness alone. It’s the support, the encouragement, and the collective effort of everyone in this room that propels us forward.

So tonight, we celebrate not just individual excellence, but the power of what we can achieve together. Let this ceremony be a reminder of the incredible things that happen when talented, passionate people unite under a common goal.

Congratulations to our award recipients, and thank you to everyone for your continued dedication. Here’s to another year of breaking barriers, surpassing expectations, and writing the next chapter of our success story – together.

Commentary: This speech balances recognition of individual achievements with emphasis on teamwork. It’s well-suited for annual award ceremonies or major company milestones.

3. The Detailed Departmental Recognition

Welcome, everyone, to our annual Marketing Department Awards Ceremony. It’s wonderful to see so many familiar faces here tonight.

Before we begin, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve been on this past year. We’ve launched groundbreaking campaigns, navigated shifting market trends, and consistently delivered results that have exceeded expectations.

But numbers and metrics only tell part of the story. The true measure of our success lies in the passion, creativity, and tireless dedication each of you brings to work every day.

Tonight, we’re here to recognize those team members who have truly exemplified our core values and pushed our department to new heights.

Our first award goes to Sarah Thompson for Outstanding Innovation in Digital Marketing. Sarah’s pioneering work on our AI-driven customer segmentation strategy has revolutionized how we target and engage our audience. Her willingness to embrace new technologies and think outside the box has opened up exciting new possibilities for our entire team.

Next, we have the Collaboration Champion award. This year, it goes to Mark Rodriguez. Mark’s ability to bring together diverse teams, foster open communication, and lead cross-functional projects has been nothing short of remarkable. His collaborative spirit embodies the very best of our department culture.

The Rising Star award recognizes an up-and-coming talent who has shown exceptional promise. This year’s recipient is Emma Chen. In just her second year with us, Emma has consistently delivered top-notch work, taken on additional responsibilities, and demonstrated a level of strategic thinking well beyond her years.

Our Client Satisfaction Superstar award goes to David Patel. David’s unwavering commitment to understanding and exceeding client expectations has not only retained key accounts but has also led to numerous referrals. His ability to build lasting relationships is truly an asset to our team.

The Creative Excellence award celebrates someone who consistently pushes the boundaries of design and storytelling. This year, we’re thrilled to present it to Olivia Sanchez. Olivia’s campaigns have not only captured attention but have also captured hearts, creating emotional connections with our audience that translate into real business results.

Last but certainly not least, we have the Leadership Impact award. This honor goes to someone who inspires, mentors, and brings out the best in those around them. I’m proud to announce that this year’s recipient is James Watkins. James’s open-door policy, his ability to provide constructive feedback, and his commitment to developing his team members have created a culture of growth and excellence within his division.

To all our award winners: your hard work, creativity, and dedication are the driving forces behind our success. You set the bar high and inspire all of us to reach for excellence every day.

But I also want to acknowledge everyone in this room. While we’re spotlighting a few individuals tonight, our success is truly a team effort. Each of you plays a crucial role in making our department and our company a leader in the industry.

As we look to the future, I’m filled with excitement about what we can achieve together. The talent, passion, and innovative spirit in this room are second to none. Let’s use this moment of celebration as fuel to drive us forward, to take on new challenges, and to continue redefining what’s possible in marketing.

Thank you all for your incredible work. Let’s give one more round of applause to our award winners, and to every member of this outstanding team. Here’s to another year of creativity, collaboration, and success!

Commentary: This comprehensive speech is tailored for a specific department, highlighting various roles and contributions. It’s appropriate for larger departments or companies with distinct divisions.

4. The Personalized Short and Sweet

Wow, what a year it’s been! We’ve laughed, we’ve stressed, we’ve conquered mountains of work – and through it all, you’ve been absolutely incredible.

Tonight’s about celebrating you – yes, you! The late-night number crunchers, the client whisperers, the code wizards, and everyone in between. You make the magic happen every single day.

To our award winners: you’re rock stars, plain and simple. Your passion lights up the office and pushes us all to be better.

But here’s the thing – every single person in this room deserves a standing ovation. Your dedication, your brilliant ideas, your willingness to help a teammate in need – that’s what makes us great.

So raise a glass (or a coffee mug, no judgment here) to yourselves and each other. We’re not just colleagues; we’re a family. And family celebrates together.

Here’s to you, to us, and to whatever awesome things we’ll achieve next. Let’s make some noise for our winners!

Commentary: This casual, high-energy speech works well for startup environments or younger companies with a more relaxed culture. It’s great for fostering team spirit in smaller groups.

5. The Storytelling Approach

Good evening, everyone.

Twenty years ago, in a tiny garage, our company was born. We had big dreams, a shoestring budget, and more determination than common sense. But we also had something special – a team of people who believed in the impossible.

Fast forward to today. That garage is now a memory, replaced by this beautiful building. Our team has grown from a handful of dreamers to hundreds of talented professionals. And those impossible dreams? We’ve turned them into reality, time and time again.

But some things haven’t changed. The spirit of innovation, the willingness to take risks, and the unwavering commitment to excellence – these core values still define who we are.

Tonight, we’re here to honor those who embody these values in everything they do. Our award recipients aren’t just high achievers; they’re the torchbearers of our company’s legacy.

Take Jessica Lee, our Innovator of the Year. When everyone said our new product line was too ambitious, Jessica said, “Watch me.” She worked tirelessly, inspiring her team to push boundaries and think differently. The result? A breakthrough that’s set to revolutionize our industry.

Or consider Robert Chen, recipient of the Customer Champion award. Robert doesn’t just solve problems; he anticipates them. His ability to see things from the customer’s perspective has not only saved accounts but has turned skeptics into our biggest advocates.

Then there’s Samantha Patel, our Rookie of the Year. In just ten months, Samantha has brought fresh energy and ideas to our marketing team. Her viral campaign didn’t just exceed targets; it showed us new ways to connect with our audience.

These are just a few of the stories we’re celebrating tonight. Each award, each recipient, represents a chapter in our ongoing journey.

But let’s be clear – success is never a solo act. Behind every award winner is a network of support, collaboration, and shared purpose. It’s the colleague who stays late to help meet a deadline. It’s the team that rallies around a challenging project. It’s each and every one of you, showing up every day ready to make a difference.

As we honor our top performers, let’s also celebrate the unsung heroes, the quiet achievers, and the team players who form the backbone of our organization. Your contributions may not always be in the spotlight, but they are the foundation of our success.

Twenty years ago, we dared to dream big. Today, we’re living that dream, thanks to the incredible people in this room. And the best part? We’re just getting started.

So here’s to our award winners, to our entire team, and to the next chapter of our story. Whatever challenges lie ahead, I know that together, we’ll turn them into opportunities. Because that’s who we are. That’s what we do.

Thank you all, and congratulations!

Commentary: This narrative-style speech connects past and present, making it suitable for established companies celebrating major milestones or anniversaries. It’s particularly effective for fostering a sense of shared history and purpose.

6. The Future-Focused Address

Good evening, colleagues and friends.

Tonight, as we gather to celebrate excellence, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement about where we’re headed. The achievements we’re recognizing aren’t just about what we’ve accomplished – they’re a glimpse into the future we’re creating together.

In a world that’s changing faster than ever, standing still isn’t an option. The past year has shown us that adaptability, creativity, and resilience aren’t just nice-to-have qualities – they’re essential for success.

Our award winners tonight embody these traits in spades. They’ve not only met the challenges of today but have also paved the way for tomorrow’s innovations.

Take our Technology Trailblazer award recipient, Alex Kwan. Alex’s work on integrating AI into our customer service operations isn’t just improving efficiency – it’s redefining what’s possible in client relationships. The systems Alex has developed are learning and evolving, much like our company itself.

Or consider Maria Gonzalez, our Sustainability Champion. Maria’s initiatives have not only reduced our carbon footprint but have also opened up new market opportunities. She’s shown us that doing good for the planet can also be good for business.

The Collaborative Innovation award goes to the cross-functional team behind Project Phoenix. This group broke down silos, combined diverse expertise, and created a product that none of us could have envisioned alone. They’ve set a new standard for how we work together.

To our Future Leader award winner, Jamal Thompson: your ability to inspire and mentor others is building the next generation of talent. The leadership pipeline you’re nurturing is crucial for our long-term success.

These are just a few examples of the forward-thinking work happening across our organization. Each award recipient has, in their own way, helped us take a step into the future.

But let’s zoom out for a moment. The world is on the cusp of major transformations – in technology, in society, in the very nature of work itself. The skills and mindset that brought us success in the past may not be enough for the challenges ahead.

That’s why nights like this are so important. We’re not just patting ourselves on the back – we’re setting the bar for what’s possible. We’re challenging ourselves to think bigger, move faster, and dream bolder.

To everyone in this room: you are the architects of our future. Whether you’re receiving an award tonight or not, your ideas, your effort, and your commitment are shaping what our company will become.

As we celebrate our top performers, let’s also celebrate the spirit of innovation that runs through our entire organization. Let’s embrace the unknown, welcome challenges as opportunities, and approach each day with curiosity and courage.

The future isn’t something that just happens to us – it’s something we create. And looking around this room, seeing the talent, the passion, and the drive you all bring to work every day, I’m more confident than ever about what that future holds.

So here’s to our award winners, who’ve shown us what’s possible. Here’s to every member of our team, whose daily contributions move us forward. And here’s to the exciting journey ahead.

Together, we’re not just adapting to the future – we’re shaping it. Let’s continue to push boundaries, challenge assumptions, and create a tomorrow that exceeds even our wildest dreams.

Thank you all, and congratulations once again to our outstanding award recipients!

Commentary: This forward-looking speech is perfect for companies in rapidly evolving industries or those undergoing significant transformation. It’s particularly effective for annual meetings or kickoff events where setting a vision for the future is key.

Wrapping Up

There you have it – six different approaches to employee award ceremony speeches. Each sample offers a unique perspective and style, from brief and energetic to detailed and reflective. Use these as starting points to craft your own perfect speech, tailoring the tone and content to your specific company culture and event.

Remember, the best speeches come from the heart. Be genuine in your appreciation, specific in your praise, and clear about how individual achievements contribute to the bigger picture. Your words have the power to motivate, inspire, and strengthen the bonds within your team.

So go ahead, take these examples and make them your own. Your employees deserve to be celebrated, and with the right words, you can make your award ceremony an unforgettable experience that boosts morale and reinforces your company’s values.

Happy speechwriting, and here’s to recognizing the incredible talent in your organization!

Our multi-ship process has you covered with doorstep delivery for every one of your recipients!

Recognize Employee Service Awards with our 10 Point Award Presentation Script

• July 8, 2013
• perfectpoint

Employee service awards  are one of the most meaningful events in an employee’s career, so you want to celebrate them accordingly! When an employee celebrates a milestone, such as twenty years of service, organize an  award presentation  with a group of teammates. Remember, it’s not the length of the ceremony that decides the impact of the recognition, but your enthusiasm, warmth, and sincerity. Use our ten point award presentation script to make the recognition count! 1. Welcome all for coming. 2. Announce the purpose of the award presentation. Make references to the value of the outstanding associate and what they mean to the organization. 3. Using their full name, ask the recipient to join you. 4. Mention the recipient’s name often, develop his/her background as it relates to the current achievement, such as date employed, in what capacity, contributing educational or work experience, past achievements, historical events, etc. Keep it personal and specific. 5. Briefly touch on the recipient’s current responsibilities and specific activities, accomplishments, and/or initiatives. It is not a necessity to list all accomplishments, just the key ones. 6. “Because of his/her hard work and continued dedication…” segue into the heart of the presentation – the reason you are honoring the recipient. 7. Present the  employee service award . If appropriate, mention any gift the recipient will receive. Shake hands. 8. Thank the recipient for his/her effort, and the teammates for their continued support. 9. If appropriate, have the recipient speak and say a few words. This is especially fun to do for employee service awards of twenty or more years. They have great insight into how the organization has changed! 10. Thank the recipient again, and once again congratulate his/her achievement. End the award presentation by thanking everyone for joining the celebration.

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Use Corporate Certificates to Recognize & Reward Innovative Thinking

Five Tips for Recognizing with Award Certificates

The Making of the Celebration Ball Award

50 Award Titles That Give You the Perfect Words

The Significance of Employee Recognition Trophies

5 Ways to Incorporate Custom Lapel Pins into Your Company’s Culture

5 Award Certificate Tips for Presenting Beautiful Awards

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Types of Speeches: Presenting an Award

At some point in your life, you’ll probably have the opportunity to formally reward someone for a job well done. When you do this in front of others it increases the perceived value of the honor.

If you decide to become a professional speaker or use speaking as an integral part of your marketing strategy, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the various types of speeches you might be asked to give. In this series of posts, I’ll give you the basics of a variety of types of presentations you can prepare. At the end of this post, I’ve listed previous articles in this series.

When presenting an honor or award, you need to accomplish two things:

1. Highlight the award Make sure that the recipient, as well as the audience, understands the importance of the award. What does it stand for? How does someone earn it? What are the traditions associated with this honor?

2. Highlight how the person earned the award Now that you’ve built up the award, you need to build up the person receiving it. What did this person do to deserve the award? How did they meet the criteria better than anyone else who was up for the award?

There are ways to make this sort of presentation more effective.

Tips for effectively presenting an award

Tell a story People are more engaged with stories. So highlight the award and the honoree in the form of a story.

Introductions first Call on the awardee last … nothing is more awkward than having to stand there and wait while you do your presentation. Tell your story first, then, when you are ready to hand over the award, call the awardee up to the lectern.

Mind your Ps and Qs Make sure that you know how to pronounce the name of the award and the person receiving it. Also, make sure your facts are correct. Nothing will spoil the honor more than mispronouncing someone’s name or announcing information that is totally wrong.

Be humble You may have been on the selecting committee, but this presentation is about the person being honored … not you. The presentation should be mostly about how wonderful the honoree is and why they are so deserving of this honor.

Demonstrate the award’s worth Hold the award as if it were a treasure. Make eye contact with the recipient, smile warmly and hand over the award with reverence.

Resources for effectively presenting an award

• Toastmasters International : Presenting an Award
• Flat World Knowledge: Presenting or Accepting an Award
• Buzzle: Presenting an Award Speech
• eHow: How to Present an Award
• Certificate Street: How to Present an Award Certificate with Style

Did you miss these?

Here are the previous posts in this “Type of Speeches” series:

• The Keynote Address
• The Training Session
• The Motivational Speech
• The Entertaining Speech
• The Demonstration
• The Information Dump
• The Inspirational Speech
• The Q & A
• The Persuasive Speech
• The Impromptu Speech
• The Acceptance Speech
• The Commencement Speech
• The Interpretive Reading

The next post in this series is Accepting an Award .

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About the author

Carma Spence, is author of Public Speaking Super Powers. She is fiercely committed to guiding women to Owning their Superpowers and turning their knowledge and interests into a profitable business. She is masterful at helping her clients see what is possible for them and supporting them on the journey from where they are to where they want to be, releasing the Mind Goblins of self-doubt, self-sabotage and second-guessing that keep them stuck.

With 20+ years experience in marketing communications and public relations, natural intuitive skills and certification in using some of the most effective transformational coaching tools available, Carma’s mission and commitment is to unleash the inner power every woman entrepreneur possesses so they can boldly go out into the world, transforming the fabric of people’s lives in meaningful and positive ways.

You can find her on Facebook , Twitter , Google+ and LinkedIn . Her website is CarmaSpence.com .