Great cultures grow from recognition.
Every year, organizations work hard to become a top workplace. They launch engagement surveys, redefine values, and roll out new programs. But without consistent, meaningful recognition, even the best intentions struggle to take root.
When people don’t feel seen or genuinely appreciated, engagement fades, turnover rises, and teams burn out.
Recognition Week is a space for leaders to step back and focus on what actually helps cultures grow. You’ll learn how to plant recognition into everyday moments, nurture appreciation at every level, and turn gratitude into a strategic advantage, not just a cultural gesture.
Day 1: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
The Seed: The Business Case for Recognition That Compounds
Speaker: Sarah McVanel, Canada’s Recognition Expert & Founder of Greatness Magnified
Learn how intentional recognition can shape employee experience, boost effort and resilience, and drive long-term retention, turning culture into a lasting competitive advantage.
Session Resources
Conditions for Growth: The Data Behind Recognition-Driven Workplaces
Speaker: Yannick Provencher, I/O Psychology Advisor at Bucketlist Rewards
Learn how recognition impacts retention, engagement, and absenteeism, with data-backed insights on what top workplaces do differently and how to build a stronger case for recognition in 2026 and beyond.
Session Resources
- Slide Deck: Yannick’s Presentation
- Report: State of the Frontline Workplace
- Bucketlist Blog: Stats that Prove Why Investing in an Employee Rewards & Recognition Program is a No-brainer
Designed, Not Accidental: How Award-Winning Top Workplaces Cultivate Cultures That Scale
Panel: Tami Swanson, VP of Human Resources at The Sports Facilities Companies, Katie Kleyla, Director, Teammate Experience at Esler Companies, Dan Kessler, President at Energage
Learn what it takes to build an award-winning workplace culture, with real examples of recognition practices, leadership behaviours, and strategies that drive trust, connection, and long-term success.
Session Resources
- Report: State of the Frontline Workplace
- Report: Talent Management Strategies of Award-Winning Organizations
- Download: A Leader’s Guide to Top Workplaces
- Download: The Reputation Playbook: An HR Leaders Guide to Building Trust and Credibility from the Inside Out
- Nominate Your Organization: 2026 Appreciation Award
Measuring What Grows: Proving the ROI of Recognition
Panel: Mary Sanchez, Donated Goods Business Manager at Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona & Jodi Martin, Marketing and Communications Team Leader at Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital
Learn how to connect recognition to measurable business outcomes, build a compelling case for leadership buy-in, and demonstrate its impact on retention, engagement, and performance.
Session Resources
- Tool: Bucketlist ROI Calculator
- Slide Deck: Ready-To-Use ROI of Recognition Pitch Deck
- SHRM Article: Recognition Programs Target Engagement
- Gallup Article: The Importance of Employee Recognition: Low Cost, High Impact
Leadership Development | The Gardener’s Role: Grounding (and Growing!) Your People Leaders During Turbulent Times
Facilitators: Sarah Sheehan, CEO at Bravely | Maureen Kennedy, Head of Coaching at Bravely
Learn how grounded leadership and coaching frameworks help managers create stability, build resilience, and foster psychological safety—while using tools like gratitude to shift teams toward a growth mindset.
Session Resources
- Learn More: One Page Guide to Bravely
- Bravely Guide: AI vs Human Coaching: Which is Right for You?
- Bucketlist Blog: Effective Recognition Rewards That Make Employees Feel Valued and Appreciated
Day 2: Thursday, March 26, 2026
Daily Watering: Designing Recognition Programs People Actually Use
Speakers: Rodrigo Ortega, Manager, Customer Success at Bucketlist Rewards, Jenna Lavassani, Customer Success Manager at Bucketlist Rewards
Learn how high-performing organisations design recognition programs that drive daily participation, avoid common pitfalls, and scale sustainably over time.
Session Resources
Strong Roots: Designing an Employee Experience People Stay For
Panel: Fiona Dykes, Vice President of People & Culture at Highlight, Mary Newville, Director of People Experience at Arctic Wolf
Learn how to embed recognition across the employee lifecycle to strengthen belonging, enhance the employee experience, and support long-term retention.
Session Resources
Pruning for Growth: What to Stop, Simplify, and Grow
Panel: Jasmine Francis, Head of People Operations at KBI Biopharma, Lee Rubin, CEO & Founder at Confetti, Jay Graves, Founder & CEO at Leadership Canvas
Learn how simplifying people programs helps improve adoption, reduce complexity, and focus on the initiatives that truly drive engagement and performance at scale.
Session Resources
Manager Development | Tending the Team: Recognition Through a Manager’s Lens
Panel: Eric Clark, Chief Culture and Communications Officer at JRI Hospitality, Dale Lawrence, Chief Operating Officer at iTel Networks Inc., Mallory Lee, VP, Revenue Operations at Zipline
Learn how leaders use recognition in everyday moments to build trust, reinforce values, and strengthen team performance through consistent, practical leadership habits.
Session Resources
- Bucketlist Blog: 7 Positive Work Culture Examples: How to Create a Supportive and Engaging Environment
- Bucketlist Blog: Inspiring Appreciation Quotes for Team Recognition
Meet Your People:
Jump into our LinkedIn thread to connect with other attendees, share takeaways, and keep the conversation going.
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