Annual awards season is a wonderful celebration of the excellence here at UW–Madison. At the same time, organizing award distribution, events, and ceremonies is an organizational feat! But we can help you keep tabs on the many moving parts (and partners!) involved. With On Brand’s timeline guide to pulling off a UW awards ceremony in Badger style, you got this.
Award timeline
When you find out award winners
- Announce the awardees on your social channels (did you know we offer social media templates for awards on the brand site?).
- Ensure correct spelling of all names, and make use of our award certificate templates to create branded certificates printed right at DPPS.
- Thinking of getting award statuettes? Consult an approved vendor on what they have to offer.


At least six weeks out
- Order any event tablecloths, step & repeat backdrops, or pull-up banners from approved vendors.
- Order any specialty items like table tents, name badges, and name tags from DPPS.
- Order your UW swag for attendees from approved vendors (did you know we offer branded promotional swag designs?).
- Need an event program? Consider consulting DPPS on options.
At least a month out
- Download slide deck templates for speeches and presentations, and get your slides populated with content.
- Send out your e-invites (and set timings for your reminders). Consider using our branded email banner templates.
- Consider placement and details for any wayfinding signs for the event site. Order printing from DPPS.
- Consider putting your event program information on your website, making it accessible at the event via QR code on the printed event program.


Day of the award event
- Load up laptops with final versions of the event slides (does the laptop you’re using have the brand fonts?).
- Place your wayfinding signs at the event site.
- Sit back and enjoy your hard work. You did it!