Here at EvacuationPlans.com, we believe that the true artistry behind every ADA and code-compliant sign lies with the incredible people who design, craft, and perfect them. They’re not just employees; they’re the World’s Greatest Sign Artisans. That’s why our employee appreciation week 2025 was extra special—from May 19th to 23rd, we pulled back the curtain on our daily operations for a spectacular Bigtop Tribute Employee Appreciation Week. It was more than just a celebration—it was a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated team members who bring our signage solutions to life for hotels and resorts, healthcare facilities, businesses, churches, schools, and multi-housing complexes.
We know that a strong, happy team is the backbone of exceptional quality. Our commitment to our employees isn’t just about fun and games (though we had plenty of that!); it’s about building company culture that creates an environment where talent thrives, and everyone feels valued. When planning employee appreciation events, we drew inspiration from P.T. Barnum’s philosophy that “Fortune always favors the brave and never helps a man who does not help himself.” At EvacuationPlans.com, we see the self-driven spirit in our team every day, and this week was our way of honoring that sense of responsibility and dedication.
Raising the Tent: A Week of Thanks and Team Spirit
Our Bigtop Tribute was designed to bring joy and recognition to every corner of our company culture. These employee appreciation events were carefully crafted to strengthen our team bonds and celebrate our amazing Sign Artisans. Here’s a peek behind the scenes at how we celebrated:
Monday: Kicking Off with Cotton Candy & Creativity!
The week began with a festive buzz. Our team was greeted with a themed T-shirt that read “Warning! It’s a circus here this week,” red clown noses, exciting giveaways, the sweet aroma of freshly spun cotton candy, and the mesmerizing talents of a balloon artist clown on stilts! As Tamerlan Kuzgov aptly noted, “Clowns are respectable, only in a circus“. And our appreciation week circus certainly was! It was a whimsical start, setting a tone of fun and wonder, reminding us that even in precise manufacturing, there’s always room for imagination.
That balloon artist was incredible! It was such a fun, unexpected start to the week and really put a smile on everyone’s face.
—Candi Shea, Assembly
Whitney Bell enjoys a moment with a friendly stilt-walking clown at our circus-themed employee appreciation event.
Tuesday: Midway Merriment and Splashing Good Times!
Mid-week brought out our competitive spirits with classic midway games and delicious nachos. The highlight? Our much-anticipated dunk tank! Seeing friendly faces take the plunge (all in good fun, of course!) brought bursts of laughter and created memorable moments of camaraderie.
I haven’t laughed that hard in ages! The dunk tank was definitely the highlight of my week. It’s great to see everyone loosen up and have fun together.
—Amy Smith, Sales Operations
Amy Smith gives a cheerful thumbs-up from the dunk tank, adding to the fun of our appreciation week.
Wednesday: A Sweet Escape with Cash Surprises!
To beat the mid-week slump, we brought in the refreshing coolness of Kona Ice®, a sweet treat enjoyed across the Chattanooga Valley. But the real excitement came with our cash machine! Employees had the chance to grab some instant cash prizes, adding an extra layer of thrill and tangible appreciation.
I was so surprised when I won something from the cash machine! It felt like a little burst of magic in the middle of the week, and the Kona Ice was the perfect treat.
—Liz Heitmuller, Staging
Friday’s Cash Cube created a frenzy for the Sign Artisans, like Hunter Higgins, who won a round in the machine from the week’s events!
Thursday: Tournament Triumphs and Popcorn Perfection!
The competition continued with our annual cornhole tournament, where teams battled for bragging rights and fantastic prizes. Coupled with classic popcorn, it was a relaxed yet engaging afternoon that highlighted the teamwork and friendly rivalry within our EvacuationPlans.com family.
The cornhole tournament really brought out everyone’s competitive side. It’s awesome to see how much fun we can have as a team outside of our daily tasks.
—Darren Mason, Shop
Joey’s got his eye on the prize! Our annual cornhole tournament for Employee Appreciation Week brings out some serious focus.
Friday: Grand Finale – More Cash and a Company Cookout!
We wrapped up our Bigtop Tribute with a bang! More generous cash prizes were awarded, culminating in a company barbeque. It was the perfect opportunity to relax, share stories, and celebrate a week of appreciation, reinforcing that our team is truly what lifts us up, up, up! Just as Timothy Mouse wisely observed in Dumbo, “The very things that hold you down are going to lift you up, up, up.” For us, it’s the strength and unity of our team that propels us forward.
Closing out the week with a BBQ, Jellybean Jackpot, and more prizes was the perfect touch. It really felt like the company went above and beyond to show us their appreciation.
—Holly Ferguson, Sales Support
Gerald Lams and Michelle Roberts consider the number of candies to enter the Jellybean Jackpot.
This employee appreciation week 2025 underscored our commitment to creating a vibrant workplace where the World’s Greatest Sign Artisans feel recognized, celebrated, and inspired to continue their excellent work.
The Unseen Impact of Employee Appreciation
Beyond the fun and games, this week was a powerful reminder of the value we place on each individual. Company culture building through meaningful employee appreciation events isn’t just a perk; it’s fundamental to our success. Happy, valued employees are more engaged, innovative, and ultimately, produce the highest quality signs for our clients.
This employee appreciation translates directly into the precision and care evident in every sign we ship to our diverse clientele, from a multi-housing complex needing evacuation maps to a healthcare facility requiring ADA-compliant exit signs. As Janusz Korezak insightfully put it, “Life is a circus ring, with some moments more spectacular than others“. Our Bigtop Tribute was certainly one of those spectacular moments, highlighting our belief that a strong, supportive team is the core of our success.
Seeing the pure joy and camaraderie throughout the Bigtop Tribute week was incredibly rewarding. Our team is the heart of EvacuationPlans.com, and their dedication directly impacts the quality and innovation our customers expect. This week was a small token of our immense gratitude.
—Hank McMahon, Founder and CEO
Hank McMahon observes some Bigtop events.
A Round of Applause for Our EAW Planning Committee!
A special thank you goes out to the incredible EvacuationPlans.com Employee Appreciation Week Planning Committee! Their tireless efforts, creativity, and dedication behind the scenes made “A Bigtop Tribute to the World’s Greatest Sign Artisans” an unforgettable success. From conceptualizing the theme to coordinating every fun detail, their hard work truly shone through and made this week of appreciation possible for everyone. We couldn’t have done it without you!
The Employee Appreciation Week Planning Committee, all sporting their “Warning: It’s a Circus Here This Week” shirts.
EvacuationPlans.com’s Appreciation Week: Photo Gallery
Ready to see the craftsmanship that comes from a truly appreciated team? Explore our range of ADA and code-compliant evacuation and fire safety signage solutions today!
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