Smart Ways to Thank Assessors

There’s no requirement to give welcome or parting gifts to your assessors — and doing so won’t earn you any bonus points during the assessment. But if you do choose to offer a small gesture of appreciation, thoughtful doesn’t have to mean expensive.

These ideas will help you create something meaningful, memorable, and budget-friendly.

(And yes — the photos I share below were all real gifts I’ve either received or created myself!)

If you have creative ideas you’ve seen or used, click my email at the bottom and send them my way. I love seeing what agencies come up with.

1. Think About What Travelers Actually Appreciate

Assessors are often on the road, sometimes for several days, so consider practical comforts:

• Sweet or salty snacks

• Bottled water

• Local recommendations (brochures, popular spots, coupons, or city guides)

• Small gift cards to local restaurants or coffee shops

On one assessment, a handful of local restaurants donated gift cards, and it made choosing dinner each night incredibly easy. Little touches like that go a long way.

2. Use Agency-Branded Items You Already Have

Promotional items are perfect additions — especially if they’re already part of your agency’s budget:

• Pens, mugs, notepads

• Keychains or magnets

• Patches, challenge coins

• T-shirts or hats

These items are inexpensive, great for networking, and a nice way for assessors to remember your agency.

3. Package It Like You Mean It

The presentation is where a small, simple gift can really shine.

Look for:

• A small basket

• A reusable shopping bag with a nice design

• A rigid gift box

• A simple tote or container that can be repurposed at home

A curated presentation — thoughtful, neat, intentional — always makes the biggest impact. Even $1 items feel elevated when packaged with care. Pinterest and Google are full of creative inspiration if you need a spark.

4. Include a Personal Handwritten Note

This part costs almost nothing, and yet it’s what assessors remember most.

Use:

• A small blank card

• Agency letterhead

• Even a simple folded piece of quality paper

A short handwritten message expressing appreciation for their time and the work they do for the accreditation community carries more weight than anything printed from a computer. If your CEO wants to be involved, have him or her handwrite the note.

5. Plan When and How You’ll Give It

Consider the timing and method:

• Waiting in the assessor workspace on Day 1

• Delivered at the end as a parting gift

• Hand-delivered at a natural moment during the assessment

• (If possible) arranged with the hotel to place in rooms before arrival

  • Just confirm ahead of time — some hotels charge for this service.

There’s no right or wrong choice. Pick what fits your team’s style and your assessors’ workflow.

Who do you know that could benefit from these accreditation-friendly tips and resources? Consider sharing this link with a colleague so they can sign up:https://www.accreditationacademy.net/signup 

Areaka P. Jewell

Accreditation Academy

areaka@accreditationacademy.net

(305) 360-1075