Crystal D restructures sales team, announces new territory sales contacts

    Sept. 19, 2024 – ST. PAUL, Minn. – www.crystal-d.com – Crystal D, the leading supplier of crystal awards and gifts, has restructured its sales organization to provide faster and more personalized service.

    The new structure, in effect now, includes five sales territories (up from four) and updated territory assignments for its solutions specialists, formerly known as account managers.

    “Crystal D made these changes so our sales team can serve our customers even more quickly as we head into fall and winter, making working with us simple, easy and fast,” said Bridget Dahlgren, executive vice president of marketing and sales.

    “We know how important responsiveness and speed are, and our expert solutions specialists are better positioned than ever to meet our customers’ needs and exceed their expectations. Let us work for you to support your business!”

    Contacts by territory are:

    • Tawauna Garner: Midwest
    • Leelam Sukhram: Central
    • Mike Pooler: Northeast
    • Gary Rinehart: Southern
    • Colby Kiger: Western

     

    About Crystal D
    Crystal D (www.crystal-d.com), leader in crystal awards and gifts, has been delighting recipients with the highest-quality recognition products for more than 30 years. We are known as the Home of “The WOW Effect” ® because every item is designed and hand-crafted by our artisans in St. Paul, Minnesota, and this meticulous attention to detail turns the emotion of a recognition experience into a lasting memory. Crystal D offers over 1,500 innovative and elegant awards and gifts, guarantees an industry-leading production time of just six to eight days after art approval, and has earned five-star status for our customer service. Contact us at (800) 544-1131 or email sales@crystal-d.com. Interested in joining our team of Memory Makers? Visit Crystal-d.com/careers.

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    Crystal D team packs meals, feeding 100 children for a year 

    Giving back is core to who we are at Crystal D, and every year our Memory Makers volunteer to pack nutritious meals for hungry people around the world. This month, we worked together to support those in need in Haiti.  

    Our employees look forward to this annual event at the Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) facility in Eagan, Minnesota. The goal was to pack one box per person, and in true Crystal D fashion, we went above and beyond … and more than doubled that amount!  

    Together, as a team of 77 volunteers, this year we packed 169 boxes, which equates to 36,504 meals — enough to feed 100 children for a year.  

    About Feed My Starving Children 
    FMSC is a nonprofit organization based in Minnesota that packs meals and sends them to people in 70 countries. More than 90% of total donations are spent directly on meal production. 

    Volunteers prepare three different formulas, each scientifically developed to meet the needs of various recipients. MannaPack Rice is for general distribution, MannaPack D is for those with digestive problems, and Manna Pack W is for weaning infants.  

    To get involved with FMSC through meal packing opportunities or financial support, visit https://www.fmsc.org/Get-Involved.  




     

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    Survey says: WOW! 

    What does The Home of “The WOW Effect” ® mean? We asked over 200 of our customers to weigh in through our Voice of the Customer survey.  

    For Crystal D, it means the recipients of our awards and gifts are so blown away by the quality and meaning behind them that they can’t help but say, “Wow.” 

    For our customers, it means they are continually WOW’d by our attention to detail and the ease of doing business with us. It’s something we appreciate hearing, as we always strive for their interactions with us to be simple, easy and fast.  

    Here’s a sampling of what customers told us. 

    • “I love Crystal D and I am sure they mean ‘The WOW Effect’ is because of the impression the awards make. Which they do. But the ‘WOW’ to me is the quality of the item and the impeccable customer service.” 
    • “You look at the finished product and can’t help but say ‘Wow!’ when you see it! Crystal D has unusual pieces that are beautifully crafted.” 
    • “When my customers open that box when they are picking up their award, the first response is usually, ‘WOW, that’s amazing.’” 
    • “Our customers are always blown away by how beautiful the awards are when they receive them.” 
    • “Every piece that I receive from Crystal D ‘wows’ me with the quality.” 
    • “Extraordinary awards that are truly WOW worthy.” 
    • “The ‘WOW Effect’ for me equates to a spirit of excellence which entails excellent customer service, attention to detail and always going above and beyond to make sure their customer and their customer’s customer is satisfied!!” 
       

    We invite you to learn more about the survey! For assistance with product selection, customization ideas, questions and quotes, contact us at (800) 544-1131 or email sales@crystal-d.com.     

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    Crystal D benefit helps families kick off the school year

    As summer wound down, a very special Crystal D employee benefit ramped up!  

    Our school sendoff program encourages parents to be with their grade school-age children as they head out for the first day of school. These moments are emotional and it’s important for families to experience them together.  
     
    “I can’t believe we work at a place that prioritizes family in such a big way. I say I’m lucky, every week, and it’s always true,” said Travis Brynness, Crystal D virtual production artist. 

    The program provides paid time off and allows employees to be relaxed, present and focused on their kids on this special occasion — not worried about being late for work or losing compensation. Grandparents are also welcome to participate! 

    Here are some of our Memory Makers’ students at their school sendoffs. We wish you all an amazing year!   

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    Get extra points with customized fantasy football trophies

    Anybody can be a Monday Morning Quarterback. But it takes someone special to become a fantasy football league champ! Whether it was the payoff for months of studying statistics, or just a string of good luck, those bragging rights deserve something special to show off your status. 

    We’re talking to you, league commissioners: Make victory extra sweet this year by drafting a Crystal D award as the coveted prize.  

    Striking and customizable, our crystal awards are crafted with a weight that means business … as in, “I’m in the business of winning. I’m a reigning champ. Here, check out my amazing trophy. Careful … it’s heavy!” 

    Crystal awards are always a winner and more affordable than you might guess. Individual pieces can be given to the top player in your league, while “traveling trophies” can be updated each year with the latest victor.

    Check out some of our faves to get ideas for this year’s leagues — then contact us to get your order started! 


     

     

     


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    Honoring Crystal D’s Q3 WOW Champs

    Crystal D isn’t just a company that produces awards and gifts for others — we also practice recognition and appreciation with our own employees, who we call Memory Makers. We have a variety of programs in place to highlight people for the ways they contribute, carry themselves and serve our customers.   

    Every quarter we spotlight five Memory Makers nominated by their peers for living out our Core Values. Congratulations to the WOW Champs for the third quarter of 2024, as announced this week!  

    Here’s who they are and a sampling of the kudos they received.

     

    Emma — Customer Service

    Core Value: Integrity — “I do what I say I will do.” 
    “Emma has been taking on different responsibilities since she started. Whenever and wherever we need her, she is happy to help. Even when she has to step out of CSS into a completely different department, Emma is there. I am always impressed at how quickly and efficiently she processes these orders. I know that when she says she’s on it, it will be done before the end of the day. Business moves fast, but Emma is even faster!” 

      

     

    Erin — Customer Service

    Core Value: Quality — “I have the unyielding persistence to improve.” 
    “Erin has been with us a short while, but she is already well on her way to being an expert in her role! She is always reaching out to me on projects I have quoted to ensure she has the correct information before reaching out to customers. She is quick at getting back to customers with great information and she is always positive. I am very thankful to have Erin a part of the Crystal D team and she fits perfectly!”

     

    Abby — Art  

    Core Value: Commitment — “I am committed to the ongoing viability of the company.”  
    “Abby is very committed to all the work she does, always working to the best of her ability and very helpful. She helps to control and understand all the additional bits that go into outputting orders, she is always quick to respond, and she sticks to the systems we have in place. I deeply appreciate Abby’s critical eye checking over the details, as I know she has what’s best in mind.”

      

    Mai Kia — Production

    Core Value: Respect — “I treat others the way I want to be treated.” 
    “I was already about a year into working in Colorfill before Mai Kia joined the production team, but it’s hard to picture her not having been part of the team since the beginning. She always has something nice to say about you.  She’s respectful to everyone.  It’s great to work alongside her in production. Crystal D values respect, and that’s what she is all about.” 

     

    Allen — IT

    Core Value: Passion — “I have the burning desire to achieve, in all I do.” 
    “Allen and I work closely on a program and getting automated systems up and running. He comes to me with his questions and concerns because he really wants what he is crafting to be of use and exactly what we need. Allen takes pride in his work and does not give up even when things go a bit sideways, as they can in programming. What he is working on will help us all, and I deeply appreciate his ability to adapt and change what he is working on to suit the needs of our internal customers so we can better serve our external customers.”

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    Crystal D named to PPAI’s 2024 “Greatest Companies to Work For”

    Crystal D, the leading supplier of crystal awards and gifts, has been named one of the Greatest Companies to Work For in 2024 by Promotional Products Association International (PPAI).

     

    “Crystal D is honored to be included as one of the best employers, and we are so grateful that our team loves working here,” said President Jeanne Dahlgren.

     

    “We love what we do, and we are thankful to our employees, who we call Memory Makers, for all they contribute each day. Together, we turn emotions into memories for millions of recipients! Thank you to PPAI for recognizing us as one of the top large companies in the industry.”

     

    Crystal D, with more than 30 years in the promotional products industry and a PPAI 100 top supplier designation, was nominated by an employee for the industry-wide competition that included PPAI members from both the U.S. and Canada. PPAI then invited all employees to participate in a confidential survey, where respondents rated Crystal D on a range of topics — including company values and ethics, benefits offerings, and the individual’s confidence about their future within the organization.

     

    Within their responses, Crystal D employees cited the company’s work/life balance, high Net Promoter Score, and strong values and ethics among the reasons why it’s a great place to work. Additionally, commenters emphasized their colleagues’ kindness and helpfulness.

     

    “I’ve been a part of this organization for more than 25 years, and one of the constant winning facets within our playbook has been our people,” said Mike Irvine, executive vice president and chief operating officer.

     

    “The Memory Makers at Crystal D put their hearts into every interaction and every transaction. They are the heartbeat that moves us forward and wows our customers every day. I’m proud to help make this a wonderful place for everyone to be their best selves and do their best work.”

     
    About Crystal D  
    Crystal D (www.crystal-d.com), leader in crystal awards and gifts, has been delighting recipients with the highest-quality recognition products for more than 30 years. We are known as the Home of “The WOW Effect” ® because every item is designed and hand-crafted by our artisans in St. Paul, Minnesota, and this meticulous attention to detail turns the emotion of a recognition experience into a lasting memory. Crystal D offers over 1,500 innovative and elegant awards and gifts, guarantees an industry-leading production time of just six to eight days after art approval, and has earned five-star status for our customer service. Contact us at (800) 544-1131 or email sales@crystal-d.com. Interested in joining our team of Memory Makers? Visit Crystal-d.com/careers.

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    Survey says: Customers keep coming back!

    Our most recent Voice of the Customer survey was taken by more than 200 participants averaging 19 years in the industry — and their loyalty index for Crystal D came in at 89 percent!  We work hard to live up to our reputation for providing the highest-quality customer service and highest-quality crystal awards and gifts. The best thank you we can receive is our customers’ repeat business.  

     

    Respondents noted many reasons for why they return to Crystal D time after time, including our customer service, product selection, varied price points, high-quality workmanship, and the ability to take on both small and large orders.  

     

    We are humbled and grateful for the comments they provided, and we also take all feedback to heart so we can continue to provide simple, easy and fast service!   

     

    Here are a few examples of what our customers shared.   

     

    • “Crystal D is at the very top of my list when searching for awards in all categories.  I’ve owned my own company for the past 24 years and have never been disappointed with Crystal D.” 

     

    • “We use Crystal D on a weekly basis. The products as well as the service are exceptional. We value our partnership with Crystal D and look forward to more business in the future.” 
       
    • “Crystal D is the only supplier that comes to mind when I’m in need of awards!” 

     

    • “Crystal D has never failed us.” 

     

    • “I have known of Crystal D for many years and it’s my preferred vendor. Never a problem. Always a pleasure to work with.” 

     

    • “Crystal D walks with you through the experience. An order of one item is as important to them as 100 pieces … well, at least that is how they make us feel!!” 

     

    • “Great selection of products. Service is top notch. Never a problem in all the years working with Crystal D.” 

     

    • “Crystal D is our go-to vendor, with great customer service and communication; quality awards that customers want to reorder year after year.” 

     

    • “Crystal D’s product is high quality, and our customers are always satisfied with their awards.” 

     

    Learn more about the survey! We are grateful to earn our customers’ loyalty. For assistance with product selection, customization ideas, questions and quotes, contact us at (800) 544-1131 or email sales@crystal-d.com.     

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    Crystal D employees set sail for teammate’s annual cancer fundraiser  

    Can you think of anything better than a boat ride on a beautiful summer night? How about a river cruise with food, drinks, music, and dancing that raises money for the American Cancer Society? One of Crystal D’s Memory Makers helps make it all possible.  

      

    After Mike Pooler lost his mom to cancer in 2001, his family wanted to do something to support others facing the disease. His brother Steve started the first Cruise Against Cancer in New York on the south shore of Long Island. A few years later, Mike and his other brother, Bill, brought event to Stillwater, Minnesota, and the beautiful St. Croix River. 

     
    Crystal D supports the event every year, inviting employees to join in the evening’s events, as well as sponsoring a table and donating toward the silent auction and raffle. The 2024 event held this past weekend was another incredible evening and a rousing success!  

      

    Funds from this popular Cruise Against Cancer for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life directly benefit local organizations. In its first six years, the Cruise Against Cancer in Minnesota has raised more than $70,000, and the proceeds for 2024’s event are still being tallied! 


    I-94 bridge over the St. Croix River

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    How to ‘crystallize’ special occasions with commemorative gifts 

    They’re the moments when you wish you could stop time, those wow-worthy experiences that you never want to forget. Luckily, you can help ensure these memories never fade.


    Taking the time to recognize the significance of major events is powerful for everyone involved, and customized crystal gifts provide versatility to show recognition in unique ways.      
     

    Commemorative gifts can be customized with deep-etched images and text, or even 3D depictions of buildings or objects “floating” inside the crystal. Additional customization options can include colorfill, Illumachrome™ or just about any combination of imprint processes! And while many customers order them to give for special occasions, others make crystal gifts available for purchase as a part of a fundraiser.  

     

    Here are some examples special occasion gifts that become treasures! (Each image can be clicked on to view additional product information.)

    Decommissionings (pictured: Chapin rectangle)

     

     

    Building closures (pictured: Oakley award)

     

    Innovations and milestones (pictured: Encapsulate gallery item)

     

    Anniversaries (pictured: Denali rectangle)

     

    Grand openings & ribbon cuttings (pictured: Lambent Flame)

     

    Crystal D’s solutions specialists can assist you with selecting products, coming up with customization ideas, and working within any budget and timeframe. Contact us at (800) 544-1131 or email sales@crystal-d.com.    

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