ARA 2008-2009 Awards Gala

Mark Kapral shows gala attendees the key to his new Ford Mustang. Kapral, of Laser Engraved Memories, The Villages, FL, was one of 10 attendees randomly chosen as finalists for the car giveaway earlier in the show. His fellow finalists each received $200 cash gift cards.

Founders Award

Donna Gray, CRM, AwardsMall Total Awards and Promotions Inc., Madison, WI

“Donna is a dedicated advocate for ARA, a past ARA Retailer of the Year, and a CRM. She has helped develop programs and recognition for volunteers, and has served as a thoughtful leader in this industry.”

Sales Representative of the Year

Tom Boivin, Tropar Manufacturing Co., Inc., Florham Park, NJ

His employer calls Tom “the most loyal and dedicated employee we have ever had. His clients are his friends.”

Customer Service Representative of the Year

Regina Russell, Continental Awards & Trophies, Bartlett, TN

“Regina is the most dependable person we have at Continental—except during the NCAA March Madness tournament.”

Volunteer of the Year

Terry Damsky, United Trophy Company, Birmingham, AL

“Terry is an enthusiastic and dedicated ARA member and is always willing to lend a hand or voice an opinion. He and his committee did an impressive job updating the ARA Web site and working on the Online Buyer’s Guide this year, both very important tools for the growth of our association.”

Retailer of the Year

Brogan’s Awards and Sportswear Inc., Gurnee, IL

“Brogan’s always gives A-plus service. We appreciate doing business with companies like his that supply superb quality—and do it with a smile.”

Large Retailer of the Year

Dakota Awards, Inc., Bismarck, ND

“With over 25 years of service, Dakota Awards is the largest awards retailer in its state, where it serves a diverse client base.”

Supplier of the Year, single location

Kasdorf Manufacturing, Inc., Albuquerque, NM

“Kasdorf makes the highest quality walnut award products in the industry. As manufacturing moves oversees, it’s impressive how they continue to make products competitively in the United States.”

Supplier of the Year, multiple locations

Johnson Plastics, Minneapolis, MN

“We feel we’ve been successful by steady, gradual growth and we expect that to continue. That’s how you build your business: You start small and you keep going.”

Hall of Fame Award

Marcel Bizier, Marco Awards Group, South Windsor, CT

“Marcel is a first-class example of what the Hall of Fame Award is all about—a well respected visionary who has made a tremendous impact on the awards and recognition industry while maintaining his integrity and appreciation for others.”

Gino Zavarella, Gino’s Jewelry & Trophy, Warrensville Heights, OH

“Gino’s love for this industry is apparent when he talks to you. He often reflects on his 50 years in the awards business by naming all the greats of the past and his business relationships with them.”

The Trophy Dealers of America, TDA, later called TDMA, which became ARA in 1993

“In 1967, our industry was in its infancy. No awards trade association, no industry education, no trade shows. If you were in the awards business, you were on your own. And then, things changed. On April 26, 1967, thanks to these 13 founders, the Trophy Dealers of Northern California was incorporated to become the TDA.”

Speaker of the Year Award

Fran Carville, CRM, Carco Awards, Baton Rouge, LA

“Fran doesn’t just give a seminar. She devotes herself fully to each and every seminar she presents.”

President’s Award

Ed Hunt, Continental Awards & Trophies, Bartlett, TN

Dennis Funk, Plastic Dress-Up, South El Monte, CA