No one thought that a local trophy shop could grow into anything bigger. But, under the guiding principle “Take care in making every piece because it may be the only trophy the person ever receives,” Levy Recognition has become a prominent part of the Tampa Bay community and beyond.
Our Roots
Mr. George A. Levy opened George A. Levy Inc. in 1960 on a $7,500 loan and started selling trophies and other awards. Over time, the business grew to serve more than 3,000 regular customers through a team of 55 employees and 30,000 square feet of administrative space.
Wanting to be more involved with collegiate sports and put the Tampa trophy manufacturing business on the map, Mr. Levy began working on a number of projects that shaped the Tampa Bay sports landscape. A former chairman of the Tampa Sports Authority, Mr. Levy served with his brother on the Florida West Coast Pro Football Task Force — the group that led the effort to land an NFL franchise for Tampa. The Levy brothers also helped bring the first two Super Bowls to the city.
He was in on the talks and the fundraising that brought the Hall of Fame Bowl to Tampa, where it was renamed the Outback Bowl for its Tampa-based restaurant chain sponsor. He served on the bowl game's selection committee and his company designed the trophies. George A. Levy Inc. is also credited with the creation of some of the first National Collegiate Athletic Association trophies and numerous Conference awards.
Who We Are Today
Michele Adams bought the company in 2013. In all, she spent about $2.5 million buying the business, upgrading the production plant and modernizing operations. Her goal was to keep George Levy’s spirit and work ethic alive, but bring the company into a modern era. First up was updating the logo and changing the name to Levy Recognition.
Levy Recognition 2018
Today, Levy makes trophies and awards for 19 of the 31 NCAA Division I athletic conferences and recently produced work for the Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks and other Major League Baseball teams. We also do business with local sports leagues and many charities.
Our brand has gained recognition within the Tampa Bay community and around the world. We currently offer creative recognition solutions to a client base of more than 14,000 college and universities, professional sports teams, local associations and corporate companies across the globe.
We process hundreds of orders a month, ranging from $10 soccer trophies to $10,000 custom awards made with crystal, acrylic, wood and metals. We are one of the few producers nationwide that still uses spin casting to make medals and medallions, a process that involves pouring molten metal into a mold that spins as the metal solidifies.
The Future of Recognition
Levy Recognition is a recognition solutions and custom awards provider. We design and manufacture custom awards, employee recognition programs, and branded merchandise for our clients to recognize the people making a difference in their organization. We help companies build customer loyalty, employee engagement, and brand authenticity.
As a member of the Women’s Business Enterprise Council (WBENC), we have gained recognition as a certified women-owned business and diverse supplier. Our awards are proudly made in the USA. By partnering with us, businesses help to support American workers, the economy, and quality craftsmanship.
We tailor our approach to meet the needs of each client without sacrificing quality or dedication. We make more than just custom awards and trophies; we create symbols to recognize the people working hard for what they believe in every day.
Contact us about creating a custom award or starting an employee recognition program for your organization!