Recognition has evolved from a “nice-to-have” into a critical business driver—but not all recognition is created equal. In this session, we’ll unpack new findings from Awardco’s latest State of Recognition research to understand what truly drives employee engagement, retention, inclusion, and overall well-being in today’s workforce.

Led by Christi Gilhoi, Employee Experience Executive within Awardco’s Center of Excellence, this session goes beyond surface-level best practices and dives into the data behind what works—and what doesn’t. Drawing on her experience leading large-scale recognition and EX programs for global organizations, Christi will explore how factors like recognition frequency, authenticity, visibility, and source influence employee outcomes. You’ll also gain insight into how recognition impact varies across roles, generations, and industries—helping you design programs that resonate across your entire workforce.

More importantly, this session connects research to action. Christi will share practical ways to translate data into meaningful strategies—whether you’re evolving an existing program or building one from the ground up. From strengthening culture to improving retention and performance, you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how to design recognition experiences that truly move the needle.

If you’re looking to elevate your recognition strategy with evidence-based insights—and ensure your efforts are driving real business impact—this session will give you the clarity and direction to do so.