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Finding trophies on the shelves of thrift stores always feels strange. Like something has gone wrong. These are once meaningful objects. Personalised. Engraved. Created to mark a specific achievement for a specific person. And yet they end up discarded – stripped of context, reduced to an anonymous object on a shelf between someone’s old paperbacks…
Published on June 17, 2026
You want to buy a trophy, but everything tells you that you cannot turn up again with the same standard prize as last year, and really the year before that too. The world is changing, and the market of traditional cups is simply out of step with the times. It is time for a trophy…
Published on June 12, 2026
A good event ends with a moment of recognition. The stage, the name, the applause and, of course, the award or trophy. But these days a standard prize is no longer enough. Sustainable trophies and awards represent your vision, the values of your brand and those of the future. At Upstream Trophies we think there…
Published on June 12, 2026
Sustainable trophies and custom awards: why material choice makes the difference for custom-made trophies A strong award tells a story. Not only through its design, but above all through the material it is made from. The right trophy materials turn an ordinary prize into an object with meaning. At Upstream Trophies we believe that real…
Published on June 12, 2026
A work anniversary is a special occasion to show an employee how much you value their effort. What better than an employee award to celebrate this milestone? At Upstream Trophies we stand for sustainability and creative custom work, so you can have a unique custom award made that fits the occasion and the person receiving…
Published on June 12, 2026
At Upstream Trophies we believe trophies and awards are much more than just a symbol of recognition. Our bespoke trophies and awards tell a story and reflect the recipient’s values. Whether it is a corporate award, a sporting achievement or a personal accomplishment, having a trophy made by us means choosing high-quality recycled materials and…
Published on June 12, 2026
In the events industry, sustainability is becoming more important all the time. Organisers are looking for ways to make every event not only memorable, but also good for the environment. At Upstream Trophies we believe this can go hand in hand with style and creativity. Our sustainable awards offer a unique chance to give events…
Published on June 12, 2026
Giving a trophy is more than just handing over a prize: it is a recognition of achievement, creativity and commitment. At Upstream Trophies we believe that having a custom award made is far more powerful, making it personal and unique. Through personalisation and the right trophy design, with a logo or design for example, you…
Published on June 12, 2026
Music trophies and prizes are the way to recognise talent and celebrate musical achievements. Whether it is a music contest, a band battle or a fun karaoke night, a fine music award creates a lasting reminder. In this article you will discover how to choose the perfect trophy for your event by designing your award…
Published on June 12, 2026
A trophy is only as meaningful as the thought behind it. One of the most telltale signs of that thought? The material it’s made from. Whether it’s the weight of a metal award when handed to a winner or the texture of a reclaimed material with a story behind it, the material shapes the moment. …
Published on June 1, 2026
A custom event trophy goes beyond a simple name engraving. A custom trophy allows you to embody your brand in a single object that takes centre stage. They are brand assets. Storytelling tools. Long-term objects that will carry your narrative beyond a single moment. Imagine a simple cup – forgettable, irrelevant, and to put it…
Published on June 1, 2026
Sport is an increasingly effective way to generate revenue – and padel is no exception. When the game was first created, it’s unlikely the question “How do we monetise padel?” was at the forefront of its founders’ minds. But whether intentional or not, padel has rapidly risen in popularity, becoming a compelling alternative to tennis…
Published on May 31, 2026
When people start looking for event trophy ideas, they often begin in the same place: by looking at other trophies. At first, that makes sense. But if every event takes inspiration from what already exists, the result is usually the same handful of shapes, finishes and formats repeated over and over again. The strongest event…
Published on April 30, 2026
The Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships 2025 introduced the first fully sustainable pickleball trophy in professional pickleball, designed by Upstream Trophies in partnership with Veolia. But why does this matter? Pickleball is a fast-growing modern sport. Its fast growth brings the opportunity to cement in new traditions, breaking free from the set design and shape that…
Published on March 30, 2026
Event trophies are awards presented to recognize achievement at ceremonies, competitions, corporate events, and community gatherings. More than simple prizes, they are physical symbols of success that reflect the values, identity, and story of the organization presenting them. From bespoke corporate trophies to sports awards and community recognition pieces, event trophies take many forms. The…
Published on March 30, 2026
Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and tournaments are quickly becoming a key part of the culture around the game. Organising a padel tournament can be a fantastic way to bring players together, build a local community and create an exciting sporting event. However, planning a successful padel tournament requires careful…
Published on March 4, 2026
Employee recognition in sales teams is an important incentive used in many businesses, but other teams’ achievements and contributions often go overlooked. Are organisations today falling short of this culture-shaping gesture? Business identity is built by all the people within the eco-system who drive operations forward – meaning employee recognition for every department helps support…
Published on February 23, 2026
2026 Winter Olympic medals: Design Each year, the awards at the Olympic Games are reimagined to symbolise not only the event, but also a global attitude. The 2026 Winter Olympic Medals are no different. Maintaining the minimal trend that we’ve seen in recent years, the Olympic medal design at first glance looks simple. Looking closer,…
Published on February 4, 2026
Schneider Electric’s approach to sustainable business operations Some companies talk about corporate sustainability while others organise their entire business around it. Schneider Electric falls into the latter. From creating energy management software to installing EV charging points and assisting other companies in reducing emissions, Schnieder Electric is a one-stop wonder when it comes to sustainable…
Published on January 21, 2026
How to live sustainably is a question at the back of all of our minds – especially following the over-consumption holiday of the year. Well, the buzz of Christmas now seems like a distant memory. 2026 is in full swing. Time feels slow, and fresh starts are possible. While planning your goals for the year…
Published on January 21, 2026
Pickleball. The sport’s name itself is one of whimsy – and up until recently, the trophies followed suit. As Pickleball became more popular, the Pickleball trophies got more serious. Here, we take a look at the brief history of Pickleball, the tournaments, and the trophies. The history of Pickleball It’s summer in Seattle, 1965. Three…
Published on January 12, 2026
Sports trophies are a culmination of effort and achievement – but does the design match the triumph? ‘Modern’ trophies For an athlete, a spot on the podium is often the pinnacle of their career. Each win represents a different set of challenges overcome, and with it comes an awe-inspiring story of adversity, growth, and talent.…
Published on November 11, 2025
Searching for a sports trophy results in the same tired silhouette. We’ve come up with the solution. The cost of mass-produced trophies Much like everything else in the world, the standard sports trophy is mass-produced. Factories in Malaysia, China, and Vietnam churn out the same models in conveyor-belt fashion – all produced with little thought…
Published on November 11, 2025
We made an important shift, not in our physical operations, but in our digital footprint. We moved our website to a green hosting provider, reducing its environmental impact. Like many, we hadn’t thought much about the carbon footprint of our website until recently. But after coming across a post by Megan Thudium, we realized just…
Published on January 30, 2025
