February 8, 2011

The Rhode Island Pet Expo

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Iliana - proudly showing off our Rosettes

So Rhode Island weather hasn’t been the best lately with snow storm after snow storm but last weekend was a great weekend for a pet expo.  Providence, RI hosted the Annual Rhode Island Pet Expo. The expo featured the Pet dog Parade of Breeds, the Parade of Purebred Dogs, the Rare and AKC Dog Show, the Exotic Bird Show and The International Cat Association Cat Show with over 100 breeds of exotic and domestic purebred cats.  It was all about the animals. Attendees were even encouraged to bring pet food to feed homeless animals for a discount off admission.

RADZACATZ CATTERY - Himalayan Persians

On Saturday Iliana Lebeau and Gary Smith ventured out to Providence to visit one of our valued customers at the TICA Cat Show and learn more about how the show is run. Our goal was to not only help TICA with the next show and make it easier to order their awards but to help other shows as well. The more we know, the more we can assist customers in providing the best awards and experience for their participants.  (The fact that Gary really wanted to attend says a lot because he knew his allergies,  unfortunately would not cooperate.) 

Sphynx relaxing before the competition

The TICA show was amazing with so many breeds on display. Iliana was fascinated by the Sphynx with its lack of coat.  It was interesting to learn that these cats are hardly maintenance free, even though they lack a coat to shed or groom. Body oils can build up on the skin requiring regular bathing; exposure to sunlight can be just as harmful to them as to humans; and their ears and nails require extra attention as well due to the absence of fur.

If you’re having any kind of event in the area and would like to meet, let us know and we would love to attend. We’d like to learn more!

 

October 7, 2010

The IHSA Gets Back in Gear

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While the return to college football undoubtedly receives more public attention, we at Hodges Badge know that fall college athletics are back for another reason- the start of IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) horse shows.   As a proud sponsor of and the Official Ribbon Supplier to the IHSA, we are happy to contribute to an organization which has made horse shows both more accessible and competitive.

Personally, I competed for four years as an undergraduate and will be back on campus to support my alma mater as a volunteer for Smith College’s home show this weekend.  So I understand how hard students work to prepare not only to compete, but to host events.  Know that here at Hodges, we strive to make ordering awards as easy as possible, so that at least one aspect of planning a show can be worry free.

If you’re a rider, coach, parent, volunteer or fan, good luck at your events this weekend and for the rest of the season!  We hope to meet you in person at Nationals in May!

PS- Need some creative ideas for your horse show ribbons?  We’ve recently seen orders using the school’s colors on side streamers, as well as universities putting their mascot in the rosette center.

PPS- If you are an IHSA rider or alumnus who’d like to share  your story about winning a memorable ribbon or award, we’d love to feature you on the blog.  Leave a comment and we’ll be in touch!

 

September 10, 2010

Have you “liked” us on Facebook?

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Shameless bit of self-promotion here.  Hope you don’t mind…

If you haven’t already ”liked” Hodges Badge Company on Facebook yet, head on over and check out our page.  It’s where all the tidbits of Hodges and award-related information goes that isn’t quite hefty enough to make a full blog post.  Just this week we posted:

  • A link to a New York Times article about the Yorktown Grange Fair where you could see some Hodges ribbons.
  • Our weekly Friday Funny- this one goes out to our agility and dog enthusiasts.  Check out previous weeks for fair and equine funnies.
  • A sneak peek at a very special equestrian order we have put together (I’m not saying- you’ll have to check it out for yourself)
  • That our blog post on awards and ribbons of decades past was part of September’s Blog Carnival of the Horse.
  •  A dress covered in rosettes.  You never know what you’re going to find!
 

August 17, 2010

Exciting Announcement

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We have some news that we are excited to announce- Hodges Badge has just become the official ribbon supplier to the IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association).  We are happy to sponsor this growing group of competitive young riders. 

For those of you that are not familiar with the IEA, the organization enables middle and high school riders to compete on a team representing their school or barn.  There are teams all over the country which host shows competing in English, Western, and, new this year, Saddleseat disciplines.  Similar to the IHSA , students ride unfamiliar horses that are provided by the show and drawn at random. 

So, if you’re involved with the IEA, what does this announcement mean?  First, we’ve got the IEA logo ready to use on ribbons and awards, and it’s available to you at no extra cost.  Second, we’re got all the show supplies you need and are here to help!

 

July 21, 2010

Meet our Customer Service Reps- Part VI

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I’m back with another opportunity to meet our Customer Service Reps, and this time I talked with Gail, a native Rhode Islander who has ten years experience working for Hodges Badge.  Like Donna, Gail remembers working with orders kept on paper (instead of electronically), but shares that she was one of the first to learn to scan in orders to our  database.

In ten years, Gail has heard a lot of interesting things from our customers.  There was one equestrian customer who was treating her horse’s colic while calling to check on an order, and another who had to hang up after the tornado warning sirens went off.  She also is understanding when a customer stays on the phone a little longer to share a story or vent about a show they’re planning.  But at the end of the day, it’s these same customers that make her laugh, and make her work worthwhile.

Outside of work, Gail says her one and three-year-old granddaughters are her world, although she wishes they were closer (they’re in North Carolina).   She also notes that despite being from a Navy family and living almost her entire life in Rhode Island, she dislikes both the ocean and seafood.  (I guess that’s similar to living in Texas and hating barbeque.)

Do you have a question about one of our reps that they could answer here on the blog?  Send an email to info@hodgesbadge.com with “blog” in the subject line.

 

July 12, 2010

Why a Badge Company?

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I realize there’s a small chance some of you may have ventured over to the Hodges History section of our website, but for those that haven’t, I wanted to write a post to explain why our company has its name– or more specifically, why it’s called Hodges Badge Company and not Hodges Awards, Hodges Ribbons, or some other variation on that theme.

While people today tend to use the word “badge” for police officer medallions, or company IDs, in 1920, when Hodges Badge Company was founded, a “badge” also referred to the name tag and attached ribbon frequently worn by fraternal orders, or social clubs, such as The Elks or the Knights of Columbus.  That’s how the company got its start- making badges for lodge meetings, parades, funerals and other fraternal gatherings.

Horse shows didn’t really become popular until the late 1930s, and Hodges didn’t start selling ribbons and awards to additional markets (gymnastics, swim, athletic, school) until much later.  Therefore, by the time we were manufacturing far more ribbons and rosettes than badges, the company name had already existed for several decades.

The company actually has considered changing names several times, as recently as last summer, when Hodges Ribbons & Awards was the popular choice.  Yet ultimately, honoring the 90 year family history of the company and keeping the original name won out. 

So now, when I travel to trade shows or meet someone and explain who I work for, I do have to take a moment to describe the type of products Hodges offers.  But honestly, it would seem strange to be working for Hodges Awards, since when I turned over my first horse show ribbon at age 10, it definitely said Hodges Badge.

 

April 30, 2010

Hodges Badge Co. takes part in State House Rally

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Our company’s President, Rick Hodges, was one of several hundred attendees at the rotunda of the RI State House for a rally yesterday to save job training funds.  As part of their plan to reduce the state’s $220 million deficit, the RI state legislature has proposed eliminating $1 million in state job training funds.  Hodges was part of a large crowd that included state business owners, labor leaders, and Governor Donald Carcieri.

Hodges Badge has benefited on numerous occasions from the job training and development grants administered through the Department of Labor and Training and RIMES.  In particular, we have worked with RIMES (the Rhode Island Manufacturing Extension Service) to bring our employees through Lean and 5S training.

“Elevating the skill sets of our employees is key to our ultimate success,
and having the job training funds eliminated and placed into the General
Fund is the worst outcome we, as Rhode Islanders, could have,” stated Hodges.  “Our state has a number of financial problems, but taking these funds (or the Renewable Energy Funds) is not a reasonable way to close the deficit,” he added.

 

April 13, 2010

Tips for saving money on your awards order

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Our customer service reps often speak with customers who are on a budget, or looking to reduce the cost of their order from the previous year.  We understand your concern and have compiled a list of ideas that may help you save more than a few pennies.

  1. Take advantage of price breaks.  Depending on the quantity you are ordering, requesting a few more to get the next price break may actually lessen the total cost of that item. 
  2. Order more than 25 rosettes, 100 flat ribbons, or 25 printed neck ribbons per style in order to avoid printing set up charges.
  3. Use a button center for your rosettes.  Custom button centers with your camera-ready design are FREE!
  4. Still need to go with the gold rim or satin center?  Order more than 200 rosettes to avoid set up fees for gold rim and satin rosette centers.
  5. Think twice before adding the date.  Leftover awards without the date will still look new for next year’s event.
  6. Browse our extensive selection of stock designs.  There is never a charge for using a hot-stamped stock die.
  7. Plan ahead.  Especially during the busy summer months, give us 3-4 weeks lead time in order to avoid any premium processing or rush shipping fees

Have another idea that might help save on your awards order?  Let us know in the comments.

 

March 10, 2010

PA Horse World Expo February 2010

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So what is there to do on a cold winter day in Harrisburg, Pa in February if you love everything horses? Visit the Pennsylvania Horse World Expo of course! 

On February 23rd two brave souls from Hodges Badge ventured out into the New England weather to head south for a few days. Ok, so it wasn’t really south, south –  it was PA and the weather wasn’t any really warmer but it was an adventure none the less.  Actually the weather was on the bad side in Harrisburg but that didn’t stop the true horse lovers from attending the 8th Annual Pennsylvania Horse World Expo. 

Jessica and Rochelle in front of our ribbon display

Hodges was there to mingle and see what was new in the horse community of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and other surrounding cities. Of course we were there to show everyone what was new with us too. We have a new Equestrian Catalog out filled with NEW products – I’m most excited about the new line of trophies but that’s a topic for another day. 

Now back to the show.Rather than just tell you about the show I wanted to show you… You could test products. 

Jessica testing Dubarry's waterproof boots

Shop for souvenirs or a great gift.

Pony purses anyone? Too cute!

 Shop for new trailer. 

Attend a great clinic or seminar.

My favorite picture though, shows just how creative one can be…can you tell who’s invited to dinner? 

mmmmmm...yummy!

 If you want more information on this great show and when the next one is going to be go www.horseworldexpo.com.

 

March 8, 2010

Hodges officially joins 4-H family

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We’ve long served the 4-H community, providing ribbons and awards to 4-H groups across the country. It’s a 90-year tradition here at Hodges–and a natural partnership, given our long history as an American manufacturer dedicated to serving organizations that work with dogs, horses, and various youth groups.

So, when 4-H recently strengthened its regulations on use of its name and logo, we immediately applied for approval to continue serving these long-time 4-H partners. We’re thrilled to announce that 4-H has provided us an official license to continue offering awards and ribbons bearing the 4-H name and emblem.

All you 4-H dog groups can order, as you have in the past, here. For more information on our 4-H license, click here.

We’re looking forward to continuing to work with our 4-H partners!

 

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