La Quinta Presents MK Shannon Awards at Annual Awards Banquet

La Quinta "Stellar" Award

La Quinta "Brilliant" Award

For the third year, La Quinta Management Hotels has selected MK Shannon Awards to provide the awards for their Annual Awards banquet. Three years ago La Quinta contacted MK Shannon Awards looking for an award that would allow their logo to stand out and represent the company. MK suggested that an award be customized to meet their needs. Using an existing design and customizing it to represent La Quinta helping them meet their budget. 

 
La Quinta awards 20 individuals with their highest award “STELLAR” and 16 other individuals receive the “BRILLIANT” award for a wide range of achievements in several categories. 

Altera Corporation Worldwide Presents Awards by MK Shannon

The “Top Performer Awards” are presented at an annual awards dinner to recognize individuals who have made top sales numbers for the year and also for those who exemplify Altera Corporation’s values of Integrity, Teamwork, Winning Mindset, Accountability and Innovation. Awards are presented in Japan, France, Germany and the United States. MK Shannon has provided the awards for Altera for the last six years. The management team had contacted MK Shannon Awards and Rewards searching for a unique award that would represent the corporate sales goals and the Altera values. MK presented several awards to choose from that she felt were appropriate for the management team's goals. They selected one in her inventory of awards, and the rest is “history”. 

Stellar Award

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, Altera Corporation is the leader in innovative custom logic solutions, and has been ever since inventing the world's first reprogrammable logic device in 1984.

Today, over 2,600 employees in 19 countries are providing even more ingenious custom logic solutions—addressing a range of concerns, from power consumption to performance to cost—for customers in a wide variety of industries, including automotive, broadcast, computer and storage, consumer, industrial, medical, military, test and measurement, wireless, and wireline.

In addition to devices, Altera's comprehensive solutions portfolio contains fully integrated software development tools, versatile embedded processors, optimized intellectual property cores, reference design examples, and a variety of development kits.

We are delighted to be their choice in “Top Performer Awards”!

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Uses MK Shannon Awards to Honor Outstanding Physicians

In 2008 International Conference Management contacted MK Shannon Awards & Rewards to select awards suitable for use by the MedStar Program at Georgetown University. The University MedStar Program has held conferences each year to honor outstanding work by physicians in various fields of medical study by presenting them awards designed by MK Shannon.

 

Most recently the MedStar program at Georgetown University has honored the doctors shown in the photos here. 

2013 MedStar Georgetown Achievement Award in Abdominal Wall Reconstruction honoree Adrian E. Park, MD (center) with conference co-chairmen Parag Bhanot, MD (left) and Maurice Y. Nahabedian, MD (right). This award was designed by MK Shannon and is entitled “Double Helix”. The award is plated in sterling silver and 14kt gold and mounted on black marble.

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Diabetic Limb Salvage conference co-chairmen, Christopher E. Attinger, MD (left) and John S. Steinberg, DPM, (right) present the 2013 MedStar Georgetown Distinguished Achievement Award “Diversity” by MK Shannon to George Andros, MD. The award is designed by MK Shannon and has three different human figures each plated in pewter, silver or gold

and is mounted on black marble.

The 2013 Diabetic Foot Global Conference honored two pioneers in amputation prevention with the Edward James Olmos Award for Advocacy in Amputation Prevention. Shown here with honoree, Lawrence B. Harkless is Edward James Olmos (right). This award by MK Shannon is entitled “Soar Above” and is plated in 14kt gold and mounted on black marble.

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital's many attributes include an impressive array of centers of excellence—in cancer, gastroenterology, neurosciences, and transplants. We, at MK Shannon Awards and Rewards, are proud to provide awards to honor and recognize outstanding individuals and the work they are doing to meet the healthcare needs of their communities.

General Electric Aviation Custom Award by MKShannon

This custom award project involved the reproduction of a portion of a GE jet engine blade whose unique and innovative design is displayed at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. There is only one word to describe the elegance of this “blade”-- gorgeous! It was a joy for MK Shannon to recreate and experience this exquisite piece of work. The pewter blade is about a foot tall and very dynamic. A black patina was used to create a contrast that allows the beauty of the blade to exhibit itself sharply.

It took several weeks to complete the model. The base of the award was also designed by GE Aviation and then executed by MK Shannon Awards following specific directions provided by GE. The name plate is imprinted on clear Lucite and raised off the marble base with small aluminum standoffs to make it stand out.

GE Blade

As an award for engineers it is pretty extraordinary. The GE Blade is presented at GE's Annual Leadership Meeting.

MK Shannon Awards Provides Children’s Miracle Network Awards in Canada!

In early December, Kari Martin of Children’s Miracle Network Awards, Canada, called to order the MIM awards to be presented to their top corporate partners for success in raising funds and awareness for Children’s Miracle Network in Canada for the year 2013. This will be the first year these awards have been presented in Canada. They have been presented in the United States for several years. The design is a more modern version of the previous logo of a hot air balloon. MK Shannon Awards provided the new awards after creating them in pewter. Children’s Miracle Network Awards, U.S. provided the artwork and MK Shannon created the piece in pewter for use by Children’s Miracle Network.

TD Bank Group received the 2013 award. Shown below are:

John Hartman, Chief Operating Officer Children’s Miracle Network, Canada

John Lauck, President and CEO Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Salt Lake City National Office

Tina Murphy, TD Bank Group, National Community Investment Manager

Ameera Virani, Account Director, Children’s Miracle Network

Children's Miracle Network Canada 2013 Award Recipient

 

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is celebrating its 30-year anniversary! Since 1983, the organization has raised more than $4.7 billion—most of it $1 at a time—for 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada, which, in turn, use the money where it’s needed the most. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of the mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible.

You have probably given at Costco or some other retail store where your name has been placed on the “balloon” and posted for all to see. Please join us in supporting the efforts of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals by visiting their website http://childrensmiraclenetwork.ca/

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates Announced 2013 Outie Award Winners of Custom Awards Designed by MK Shannon Awards

MINNEAPOLIS, MN—November 4, 2013 Five silver ‘Outie’ statuettes were bestowed upon Outie Award winners while 2,200 attendees from around the world gathered at the 15th annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Summit is the leading LGBT professional development conference, equipping attendees with the tools, resources and connections to create equitable and inclusive workplaces for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people.

The 2013 winners were Target, Lockheed Martin, The Dow Chemical Company, Cathy Bessant from Bank of America, and Kevin Jones. The winners were chosen from a competitive slate of nominees and voted on by an independent panel of experts from companies and nonprofits that set the standard for LGBT workplace equality.

The annual Outie Awards honor individuals and companies for their leadership in creating workplace cultures of inclusion and equity for the LGBT community.

Artist and designer of the Outie Award, MK Shannon, describes her sculpture as a single 11 inch figure that appears to run in a forward motion with the body stretched upward. The figure is reaching far above to hold an “exclamation point" as high as it can reach. The exclamation point is a symbol for Out & Equal. It is held by the figure like a torch, bringing light, truth and hope for equality for all people everywhere.

 

Bill O’Reilly Receives Unique Award by MK Shannon

Bill O'Reilly with MK Shannon Award

Bill O’ Reilly, the prominent TV journalist and host of “The O’Reilly Factor” on FOX News, was the recipient of a unique recognition award by MK Shannon Awards and Rewards. The unique award entitled “Heart of Gold” was chosen by the Wounded Warrior Project to be presented for its “Tony Snow Award”. This award is given annually to honor citizens in corporate America or the media who by their actions, have made a significant difference in the lives of injured service men and women. It also honors unwavering commitment to the Wounded Warrior Project and its mission. MK Shannon served in the Red Cross in Vietnam during the Vietnam War and feels a deep personal connection to projects that serve and bring attention to the men and women who have served our country overseas in the military.

Recognition Award "World Infinity" Designed for Global Organizations

New for 2009, the “World Infinity” recognition award represents global unity, collaboration, and service. The world is infinite, endless, and continual. We as individuals struggle to grow, to learn, to achieve and to accomplish in an ever-changing planet in an ever-changing world. This custom award illustrates the importance of partnership, of teamwork, of sharing and caring. These figures reach out to one another for support and connection while holding up a globe. In that moment, through that movement they become more than they are alone, they become stronger and brighter and offer hope for a better world. This unique award captures the spirit of teamwork or global partnership. This award is a great fit for any individual or organization involved in global service initiatives or global business activities. To get pricing, information about available finishes, and to order "World Infinity" as a recognition or global unity award, please click on this link.

Custom Award "Vanguard" Designed for Donor Recognition

Vanguard, designed in 2009, is a custom award that has broad appeal for use as an achievement award, or a donor recognition award. As a corporate award this sculpture honors employee recognition or client appreciation. It also lends itself to use as an achievement award. The word Vanguard in the dictionary means "leading position". Can you imagine an army with the troops at the front leading the way--they are the Vanguard! In companies and foundations there are always “vanguard” individuals. This unique award is a simple design with a powerful message. Two figures are shooting upwards through time and space toward their goal. It could easily represent an outstanding employee and the company working together and be presented as a corporate award. It could also be used to honor teams. As a donor award it could be given to a married couple to honor their work or support of a foundation or non-profit organization. This piece has honor and achievement written all over it!

Recognition Award "Living Sea" to be Presented by Heal the Bay Foundation

Living Sea, a custom award designed by MK Shannon, will again be presented by Heal the Bay Foundation of Santa Monica, California at their annual gala in May. Their 18th annual Bring Back the Beach benefit dinner is being held at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. This year’s theme “A Sea of Possibilities” will recognize and honor those whose "thoughts, words and actions demonstrate the powerful impact of seizing tremendous opportunities for positive change." HTB's mission is dedicated to making Southern California coastal waters and watersheds safe, healthy and clean.

MK Shannon Awards & Rewards is honored to have been commissioned to design and produce Living Sea for the Heal the Bay Foundation. Our mission for over 20 years has been to design innovative custom awards and trophies for recognition, achievement, fundraising, gifts, and sports. We do that by translating your ideas and vision into meaningful, artistic recognition awards.

HTB has presented awards to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Grammy® award winner Brian Wilson (of the Beach Boys), and the National Geographic Society. Shown here are photos of last year's honorees along with Julia Luis-Dreyfus.

Cher Presented with MK Shannon Custom Award by Children’s Health Organization

MK Shannon's Heart of Gold was presented to Cher at Ceasar’s Palace in Las Vegas by the Children’s Craniofacial Association (CCA). We are all familiar with the wonderful entertainer that Cher is—singer, actress, and great performer. What is less known is that Cher has a big heart when it comes to children with facial abnormalities. And that led her to support the Children’s Craniofacial Association as their National Spokesperson and to establish “Cher’s Family Retreat” which is held every year. Since her first involvement with the organization after making the movie Mask, Cher has become the association’s most generous contributor. She has also developed personal relationships with many children who have craniofacial conditions, following their surgeries, and calling them personally to offer friendship and encouragement.

CCA's mission is to empower and give hope to individuals and families affected by facial differences. We envision a world where all people are accepted for who they are, not how they look.

Heart of Gold truly communicates the gratitude the Association has for Cher’s generous contributions and for her own “heart of gold,” said Jill Gorecki, 
Development Director 
for Children's Craniofacial Association. “Thanks again for your patience and for the beautiful sculpture for CCA to give in thanks to our beloved Cher!”

All of us at MK Shannon Awards were thrilled to be a part of making that special moment.

How Green Are Your Awards?

Oakland, CA
Eco-friendly practices are a good thing, and–it’s no secret–an important consideration in planning a conference, meeting, or convention today.

MK Shannon Awards & Rewards and our most important business partners have worked together to reduce the footprint we leave on our planet. As it turns out, good earth-friendly practices are often good business practices, too. We continue to look for ways to minimize our use of resources and to offer you the highest quality recognition awards and service.
Here are a few of the practices that are helping us reach our goal:

MK Shannon recognition awards are individually cast and hand-finished at an art foundry. The foundry has implemented practices that are geared to reducing waste, energy usage and toxic substances in their processes:

• Some pewter used for awards in the awards industry does contain lead, as does all glass crystal. The pewter used in casting MK Shannon sculpture awards is the highest quality pewter available and contains no lead.

• All cardboard is recycled, and the foundry has implemented a program for its industrial neighbors to conveniently recycle their cardboard at the foundry site.

• All metal scraps are collected and recycled for reuse.

• Effective shipping materials for the sculpture awards are critically important for delivery of the awards in good condition. The foundry uses a variety of materials for shipping, choosing the greenest materials that will guarantee a good delivery of the awards.

• Only fans are used for cooling the casting and finishing area of the foundry to minimize energy usage.

A Virtual Company MK Shannon Awards & Rewards, Inc. is a “virtual” company. All of our employees work from their homes, and this greatly reduces our impact on the planet:

• No impact from commuting–no added gasoline consumption, pollutants, or congestion.

• Whenever possible, we minimize the use of paper in favor of electronically storing data and other information. This reduces the usage of toner, as well as paper.

• All paper and laser cartridges are recycled.

• All MK Shannon employees are very conscious of the need to conserve our resources and individually implement practices in their own offices that support that goal.

MK Shannon no longer uses a printed catalog, minimizing use of paper and ink products.

MK Shannon uses UPS for shipping. UPS has implemented several eco-friendly practices such as a system that tracks minute details for each truck to maximize maintenance cycles and decrease pollutants. UPS drivers are encouraged to practice “green” behavior, such as reducing idling time, which reduces fuel usage and pollutants. With 90,000 drivers on the road, even a few minutes less idling time a day per driver can make a significant impact. UPS was also awarded the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute’s “Green Fleet Award” and the Uptime Institute’s “Green Enterprise IT Award.”

With Green Awards in mind, we have designed two new awards that express our feelings about this new world we live in. They are World Above and World Infinity. Here are the Artist’s Notes about their concept and inspiration.

World Above: This single figure sculpture award was conceived to express that feeling of accomplishing above and beyond, to capture that sense of "out of this world." The figure is open and this refers to the concept of an individual being open to new ideas, new thinking, and new ways of being in the world. This design honors those who are a world above and a world apart from their contemporaries.

World Infinity: The world is infinite, endless, and continual. We as individuals struggle to grow, to learn, to achieve and to accomplish in an ever-changing planet in an ever-changing world. This sculpture illustrates the importance of partnership, of teamwork, of sharing and caring. These figures reach out to one another for support and connection. In that moment, through that movement they become more than they are alone, they become stronger and brighter and offer hope for a better world. This recognition award captures the spirit of teamwork or global partnership.

Fulfillment Fund Honors CEO of Legendary Pictures with MK Shannon Custom Awards

Los Angeles, CA. Each fall, the Fulfillment Fund hosts one of the largest Los Angeles area benefit events, raising over $2 million to assist economically disadvantaged students graduate from high school and college. The STARS Benefit Gala honors a leader in the entertainment industry for his or her extraordinary generosity and philanthropic involvement.

The Fulfillment Fund selected three custom awards designed by MK Shannon to recognize their honorees. This year the honoree is Thomas Tull, Chairman and CEO of Legendary Pictures. This year also includes a special presentation of the Gitnick Visionary Award to Shelley Freeman, Regional Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, and the Inspiration Award to Andrea Cockrum, Founding CEO of the Fulfillment Fund.

The STARS Gala is a popular Hollywood celebrity event. Leading celebrities serve as entertainers and presenters, and have included Ben Stiller, Jamie Foxx, Steve Martin, Vince Vaughn, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Roger Daltry, Calista Flockhart, Kate Hudson, Salma Hayek, Quincy Jones, David Hyde Pierce, Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Stevie Wonder —and many, many more. This year the Master of Ceremonies was Ryan Seacrest, John Fogarty provided entertainment, and Kate Beckinsale and Christian Bale were speakers, along with others.

We Received Our Own Recognition

We are MK Shannon Awards & Rewards are delighted to have been chosen by the Fulfillment Fund to provide their recognition awards for 2008. They selected Dream Maker, Excellence Grand, and Enlightenment for these awards. Because they were recognizing three honorees at the event, it was good to select three different awards that enabled each recipient to feel special in their own right. Working with Stacy Seligman Kravitz, the Director of Special Events for the Fulfillment Fund to make all this happen, here’s what she had to say about her experience:

"Working with MK Shannon Awards gives you the opportunity to present a unique piece of art to an honoree. The sculpture tells a story and embodies a value that you are expressing to the recipient. What a meaningful way to show your appreciation at an event! We were very pleased to work with you."

Stacy met us at last year’s Association for Fundraising Professionals conference. She said she was blown away by the uniqueness of the awards displayed in our booth. She immediately recognized that our awards stand out from the rest and would have more meaning to their recipients. “Your sculpted awards are pieces of fine art,” she said. She also loved the idea that each piece had the artist’s notes about the inspiration for the piece and that they were quality awards that people would prominently display in their homes or offices. She knew that it would be important for their organization to present something beautiful and unique, not just a piece of glass or crystal.

After the STARS gala, Stacy visited the home of their CEO who had been recognized for the legacy she has given their organization. Stacy knew the CEO collects art and she wanted to give her a special award that would make an imprint. She was pleasantly surprised to see the award displayed prominently on the woman’s piano for all to see. “It was good to see that she had found a place of meaning for the award.”

NATPE Honors ‘Idol Gives Back’ with Inaugural Reality Innovator Award Designed by MK Shannon

LOS ANGELES, CA. The National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) recently presented MK Shannon’s “Brilliant” award to Nigel Lythgoe the executive producer of American Idol. Rick Feldman, NATPE’s President and CEO made the presentation and Mr. Lythgoe accepted the award on behalf of American Idol’s producers. The gala reception and presentation was hosted at The Annex in the Hollywood & Highlands Entertainment Complex. NATPE created the Reality Innovator Award to recognize outstanding achievement in reality programming. Recipients of the award showcase extraordinary passion and leadership, leveraging their platform in new and innovative ways.

“Idol Gives Back” is a huge music celebration and fundraising event produced by 19 Television and Fremantle Media. Idol Gives Back has raised millions of dollars during the last two seasons for various U.S. charities that deliver support to underprivileged children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country; providing them with medical care, food and grocery products, health and life skills and literacy programs, among other important initiatives. In Africa, funds are dedicated to organizations that support efforts to battle poverty through various health and education programs, including delivering medical supplies and providing clean water.

"’Idol Gives Back’ is an extraordinary example of the ability of television to combine the power of celebrities and the corporate community in raising awareness and money for social enterprise," said Rick Feldman in making the announcement. "We're honored that Nigel Lythgoe will be on hand to accept this award."

And, we at MK Shannon Awards & Rewards are equally honored that our Brilliant will shine for a worthy event! Our Brilliant award was designed to give a different twist to the usual Star award. A fresh look with a large marble base which can be customized with a name, date, and logo. See specifics on this recognition award: Brilliant!