The VRLTA Ordinary Awards Are Anything But

Published in advance of the 2025 Virginia Ordinary Awards, taking place on September 5. We’re honored to contribute to this celebration of Virginia’s extraordinary hospitality industry.

The Ordinary Awards are named for a very old idea: the “ordinary” — an 18th-century Virginia term for a local tavern, inn, or public house that provided simple meals and lodging for travelers. These places were called “ordinaries,” but they were anything but ordinary in their role as gathering places, community anchors, and early examples of hospitality.

That legacy lives on in the Ordinary Awards — an annual event hosted by the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association that honors excellence in Virginia’s hospitality and tourism industry. It’s a celebration of the people and places who make guests feel welcome, year after year.

We’re proud to contribute the physical awards for this event, and we especially admire the design choices made by the awards team. For the Ordinary Awards, they selected our Sweep Award — a clean, FSC®-certified recycled award with simple lines and a slightly angled top.

But what makes this year’s award stand out is a single word: Ordinary.

Rather than centering the text or using a traditional layout, the design team ran the word “Ordinary” vertically, off the edge of the award face. The type breaks at the edge — not abruptly, but intentionally — inviting the viewer to pause and look again. It’s a subtle, modern take that echoes the layered meaning behind the awards themselves.

We love when customers use our designs as a starting point — and then bring their own story to the surface through smart typography and layout. The Ordinary Awards are a great reminder that even a simple, budget-conscious award can deliver a bold, memorable impression.

Want help creating a meaningful award design — even with minimal customization? Let’s talk →