2017 - Name Tag Wizard Blog

December 13, 2017April 2, 2019

18 Tips for Success in 2018

While it may be hard to believe, 2017 is quickly coming to a close, but with a new year comes the opportunity to set new goals. Whether it’s starting your own small business, increasing your company’s profits, or getting the promotion you’ve been dreaming of, it all starts with deciding what you truly want. Clearly defining your goals before January 1st is a great way to start the new year off right. Today we’re sharing our 18 tips for a successful 2018, from getting yourself in the right headspace before the year begins, to the things you’ll want to remember as you conquer the year.

1. Get started early

Don’t wait until January 1st to decide what your resolution and yearly goals will be. Get ahead of the game, determine what you want, and find the mentality you’ll need to be successful in the new year.

2. Map out your goals

Once you’ve decided what it is you want to accomplish in 2018, write it all down and separate your work and personal goals. When mapping out your work goals, break down your responsibilities into different categories and focus on what it is you want to achieve within each category.

3. Take small steps

Make big goals more attainable by identifying what small steps you need to take to reach them. For example, if your main goal for 2018 is to be more productive, you might wake up earlier and create a workspace that eliminates distractions.

4. Set intentions

Another proven way to reach your goals is to set daily intentions. When you wake up each morning, determine what it is you want to accomplish that day. Whether it’s keeping a positive attitude or knocking out a reasonable to-do list, it’ll be easier to guide yourself through the day with an intention.

5. Be valuable

One of the fastest ways to gain more customers or get that promotion is to show your value, but before you can show the world why you’re an asset, you must first recognize it yourself. What do you bring to the table that no one else does? What makes your specific skill set unique? Know what makes you important and be sure your peers do, too.

6. Continue learning

Recognizing your value is important, but so is remembering there is always room for improvement. Take every opportunity you get to continue learning and bettering yourself.

7. Commit to a healthy lifestyle

When improving yourself mentally, don’t forget to improve yourself physically. Whether you commit to a workout routine or choose to eat healthier, you will feel stronger and more capable of achieving your goals.

8. Volunteer your time

Make it a point to feed your soul in the new year. These days, it’s easy to overlook how fortunate we are when we get busy with our daily hustle. Take a few days out of your year, or more if you’re able, and volunteer to help others in need.

9. Stay organized

At times, you’ll undoubtedly be overwhelmed with all there is to do. Making lists or keeping notes is the easiest way to stay organized and be sure you get everything done in a timely fashion. Buy a planner or a personalized portfolio to make staying organized easier and a bit more fun.

10. Be grateful

Another great way to gain perspective when you’re feeling overwhelmed is to think of how lucky you are. If you have a job, a roof over your head, and people who care for you, you’re automatically better off than many others in the world. Don’t forget to be practice gratitude every single day.

11. Welcome small failures

When a big project doesn’t turn out the way you’d imagined or you miss a deadline, find a way to make it benefit you. If we never failed, we would never improve, so take each failure as a learning opportunity.

12. Travel

What is all the success in the world worth if you don’t take the time to enjoy experiences? If there’s a country you’ve been dying to visit, or a loved one in another state you miss, buy the ticket and take the ride. Be sure to travel safely with our tips and avoid worrying about finding your luggage with a personalized tag. Not only will travel give you a well-deserved break, experiencing new things will also expand your mind.

13. Spend time with family

At the end of the day, it’s not about where you are but who you’re with. Chasing your dreams is time-consuming and stressful, but be sure to always make time for those who mean the most to you, whether it’s your family or your close friends.

14. Share your goals

Always share your goals with your team. Not only will it empower you to turn your plan into a reality, but your transparency will also give your team the motivation they need to do their part. Make sure your team is equipped for success with tools like name tags for customer interactions or photo ID badges to increase security.

15. Celebrate small victories

Each time you reach your sales target or gain a new profitable account, recognize how that accomplishment puts you one step closer to reaching your overall goal. By celebrating small victories, you’ll inspire yourself and your team to keep up the momentum.

16. Envision your success

So often we put all of our focus on what we need to do to get there, but don’t think about what it will be like when we arrive. What will it look like when you reach your goal? How will you feel about what you’ve accomplished? Envisioning your success helps you take the right steps to get you there.

17. Stay positive

Success is hardly ever achieved over night. You’ll face stress, failure, and hardship along the way, so it’s important to stay positive. Always remember you’re capable of getting exactly what you want out of life, as long as you’re willing to put the work in and never give up.

18. Plan for the future

Where would you like to see yourself three, five or even 10 years down the road? Some things may be hard to accomplish in just a years time, especially if they’re huge goals, so think about your long term goals and give yourself a place to begin next new year. You may even surprise yourself and accomplish them in a shorter amount of time than you thought.

We hope you feel ready to map out your goals, take steps towards them, and celebrate your small victories along the way. With your priorities in order and the right mentality you’re sure to make 2018 the best year yet! So what will your plan for success be going into the new year?

December 7, 2017November 27, 2024

Travel Tips for the Holiday Season

Holiday Travel Tips
Research
Packing
Identification
Bringing Gifts
Trip Prep
Staying Positive

Updated: 12/2/2021

Heading back home for the holidays should be an exciting experience, not a dreaded one. But it’s no secret that some of the busiest times of year are during the holiday season. Whether you’re flying, driving, or taking a train to your destination, so are plenty of others that are also going home to their loved ones.

The holidays are a time for joy and appreciation, but maintaining that mentality can be challenging when you’re worried about missing your flight or stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the highway. To avoid the fuss and headache of traveling during this busy time, be sure to follow these tips for a seamless, enjoyable trip.

1. Do Your Research

For Car Travel & Road Trips

Plan out your trip well in advance. If you’re road-tripping for the holidays, look into what routes will be the most crowded, and instead opt for an alternative route. It may be a mildly longer drive, but if you can skip sitting in traffic for hours, it’ll be well worth it.

For Air Travel & Public Transportation

If you’re flying or taking another form of public transportation, travel on a calmer day. If you can wait until Christmas day to travel, you’ll avoid the long lines.

Travel Tip: If you want to make it to your destination sooner, you can also travel in the early morning or late at night.

2. Pack Just A Carry On

By traveling light, you’ll speed up your day of travel and you won’t risk losing your luggage. Pack a well-organized carry on and avoid waiting for your luggage at the conveyor belt after your flight.

If you have kids or are traveling for an extended period of time and need to check a bag, be sure you bring important belongings and a change of clothes in your carry-on bag.

Travel Tip: A personalized luggage tag can be a life-saver when you’re peering into a sea of black bags in search of your own.

3. Bring Your Photo ID

This may seem like a given, but on the day of your trip you may be in such a hurry you aren’t thinking completely straight. Set everything you’ll bring on your trip by the front door the night before, including your personal item holding the proper form of identification.

Travel Tip: Check out this article to be sure you bring the right photo ID with you.

4. Ship Your Gifts

If you’re heading home to see your family, you’re most likely bringing along their holiday gifts. If you’re flying to your destination, ship your gifts ahead of time so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of lugging them through the airport.

Travel Tip: If you do bring them on the plane with you, TSA recommends wrapping your gifts after you arrive at your destination because they may have to unwrap your gifts for inspection.

5. Prep For Your Trip

Make sure you’re prepped for a comfortable and hassle-free trip. Here are some of our top travel tips to make sure you’re prepped and ready for every aspect of your holiday travel:

If you’re driving, bring snacks along for your trip and make the ride more enjoyable with a great playlist.
When traveling with your children, try to keep them entertained, whether it’s with a coloring book, movies, or road trip games.
If you’re flying, check in online the night before and look at the status of your flight before you leave the house.
Before you board a plane, grab something healthy to eat so you are full for your trip and don’t have to rely on airline food.
If you will be taking any form of public transportation, be sure to check required and recommended face mask regulations.

6. Stay Positive

There is only so much preparing for your trip you can do. While there are plenty of things you can do to try to avoid a mishap, they may still happen. When you feel overwhelmed and stressed out because things aren’t going as planned, take a deep breath and remember everything will work out.

Travel Tip: Stay positive! You will arrive at your destination and it will all be worth it in the end.

We hope you feel prepared and at ease for your upcoming adventure. We’re wishing you a safe and easy trip and hope you enjoy the holidays with those closest to you!

November 22, 2017February 23, 2021

Overused Office Cliches

With as much time as most of us spend at work, we’ve all undoubtedly developed a few opinions and pet peeves. Many of these pet peeves involve refrigerator and break room manners and cleanliness, but some of our biggest work gripes have to do with communication, or lack thereof.

When things get frustrating or stressful at work, it’s important to maintain a sense of humor, even if it’s dry humor. Laughter helps us get along nicely with co-workers and develops a sense of camaraderie. Here at NameTagWizard.com, we voted from a list of 92 highly overused and downright annoying office phrases. To illustrate these results in a fun and humorous way, we put together this handy infographic.

Top 8 Annoying Office Phrases. Click here to view it larger.

In the process of getting everyone’s votes, we also learned a few things about office communication, and how it can be improved.

1 – It’s important to be authentic. When things get hectic in the office, it’s easy to use cliches to communicate, but over time, these cliches lose their real meaning. If you want to communicate in a memorable and effective way, be yourself and describe things in your own way.

2 – Many employees, especially those who are new to the work force, do not understand what many common corporate phrases mean, but they won’t ask because they feel like they should already know. This breaks down communication and leaves people feeling “out of the loop.”

3 – Office cliches can break down morale. Bold and ill-defined phrases like “synergy” that are intended to motivate people can have the opposite effect. It is helpful to use language that speaks more directly to a person, project or event.

4 – When people are annoyed or exhausted with something, they stop listening. Again, this goes back to authenticity. People will feel more motivated if they truly understand the goal and know their unique contribution to that goal. Vague corporate language isn’t genuine.

5 – People want to stay true to themselves at work, and the best way to achieve authenticity in the workplace is through friendly and genuine language that speaks directly and informatively to each person and each situation.

Some of the other annoying phrases that were nominated include:

Gentle reminder
A lot on my plate
Managing up
Reach out
Quick win
Wrap our heads around it
Run an idea up the flagpole

Are any of these phrases used too often in your workplace?

Some inspiration for our infographic “Top 8 Most Annoying & Overused Office Phrases” and blog came from:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4563616/The-50-irritating-office-jargon-terms.html

November 2, 2017October 21, 2020

What are Visitor ID Badges and Why are they a Necessity?

There are many different systems that can be utilized in a large number of office settings and other work environments to improve efficiency, organization, security, and more. At Name Tag Wizard, we’re here to provide you with the tools you and your team need to succeed. By providing your visitors with a visitor ID badge, your company will be able to welcome everyone at a specific place within your building, properly identify and record each guest, and give them an ID that will allow them to safely visit your facility.

Increase your Security

When was the last time you were walking through the halls of your work building and saw someone you didn’t recognize? Whether you work in a production facility, a school or a hospital, welcoming visitors is very common in all work environments. There are plenty of reasons visitors need to be allowed into your facility, but it’s easy to see how this could also pose a potential threat to your business and your employees’ safety. These days, companies are increasing their security systems because we simply just aren’t as safe as we once were. Visitor ID badges are a great way to keep your company safe. By implementing a visitor ID badge system, your receptions or front door security can properly identify any visitors that come to your campus. This will automatically deter many potential threats, but in the event something does happen, you will have record of who was on your campus and when. While this may be the most obvious benefit, there are other ways visitor badges help your business.

Welcome & Help your Visitors

Another great benefit of using visitor ID badges is the opportunity to welcome every visitor. By establishing a visitor check-in system, you’re ensuring every guest will be properly welcomed into your building. It will also increase your ability to help them. Say your work environment is in a school setting, and you notice someone with a visitor badge wandering through the halls. By identifying this person as a visitor with their ID badge, you’re able to approach them and offer your assistance. Whether they need directions to their child’s classroom or you’re able to answer a simple question they have, a visitor ID badge will bridge that gap.

Collect Data

When a visitor enters your building, whoever is in charge of checking them in will ask for a valid form of identification to confirm who the visitor is. Many companies ask for a driver’s license or state ID and make a photo copy of the ID while checking them in. This is a great opportunity for businesses to obtain information on who is visiting their facility. For example, if you work in a hospital that is hosting a case study, by checking each visitor in, you’re able to collect information on who is interested in your study. Maybe not every visitor is welcomed into the study, but by having this information, it will help your business know who is interested and who you should be marketing to when in search of other candidates.

By being able to properly identify and record your company’s guests, you are increasing your security, welcoming them properly, and collecting potentially beneficial information about is visiting your facility. These are just a few of the many benefits of using visitor ID badges in your work environment. At Name Tag Wizard, we offer visitor badges that can be customized with your company’s logo, visitor numbers, and areas for the guest’s name, company, date, and time of check-in. We’ve also created reusable visitor ID badges made from chalkboard and dry erase surfaces. This allows different guests to use the same badge, cutting your cost and offering an environmentally-friendly option. Check out our visitor ID badges and customize yours today!

September 13, 2017August 22, 2018

Tips for Taking Photo ID Pictures

There are an endless number of horror stories when it comes to taking photo ID pictures. From driver licenses to company ID badges, it may sometimes seem like taking a flattering, professional photo is close to impossible. The pressure of waiting in line and the close angle on a person’s face certainly presents a challenge, but there are tips and tricks for success. Whether you’re the subject of the photo or behind the camera, follow these tips to make sure you take the best photo ID picture possible.

When Posing…

Always Smile

Believe it or not, there’s an art to smiling for your ID picture. Find the perfect balance for you between not too much teeth and not smiling at all. A slight smile will add warmth and professionalism to your picture.

Practice makes Perfect

Part of the beauty of living in a world with smartphones is you have a portable, instant camera in your hands at nearly all times. Take a few practice selfies before photo day to find your most flattering angle. Practice different head tilts and smiling with slightly squinty eyes to find what makes you look the most confident.

Hair & Make Up

If you’re planning to wear make up for your photo, make sure you go for a more natural, every day look so it doesn’t come out too drastic and distracting. Professionals say it’s best to have long hair neatly pulled back so it doesn’t cast shadows on your face. If you have a dark beard, be sure it’s trimmed before your photo.

Professional Attire

When choosing what you will wear, avoid bright, busy patterns and nude-colored options. A dark color like black, navy blue or grey are your best choices and will make for the most professional-looking photo.

When Photographing…

The Background

If you’re taking company photos for a group of people, be sure to choose a plain, uniform background to use for all. A white background will make your photos pop, but a dark blue color is best for corporate headshots. If the photos are for a company’s photo ID badges, you may want to consider what the design of the ID badges will look like beforehand.

The Positioning

Once your background is in place, measure roughly a foot away from the backdrop and mark the ground with a piece of tape. Set your camera on a tripod and adjust the height according to each subject. Have your subjects stand or sit in a chair on your mark when you take their photos. If you have your camera in a stationary place and your subjects positioned correctly, your photos will look uniform across the board and more professional.

If you’re photo is being taken for a photo ID of any type, whether for your license or your company ID badge, chances are it will be with you for a long time. Be sure you like your photo and it presents you in a professional way by following these tips. Check out the many benefits of company photo ID badges, from personalized security to increased productivity, here.

August 31, 2017June 29, 2020

Reusable Name Tags: the Next Generation of Name Tag Stickers

Unless you love name tags just as much as we do, there’s a chance you haven’t heard of the next big thing in identification tools: reusable name tags. Well we’re here to fill you in! Gone are the days of asking each of your conference attendees to slap a sticker name tag onto their favorite suit, or, as a teacher, struggling to remember each of your students’ names. Available in both dry erase and chalkboard, this professional yet fun temporary name tag option has quickly grown into an industry favorite. So today we’re sharing five opportunities to use your reusable name tags!

1. When Hosting a Conference

No matter what industry you’re in, hosting a conference can do tremendous things for your business. It’s a great opportunity for networking with potential business partners, positioning yourself as an expert in your industry, and even learning a few things from your peers. But, of course, there’s a lot of planning that goes into hosting a conference, and one of the many things you need to consider is how to set your attendees up for success. By providing your guests with name tags, you’re eliminating barriers and making it easier for them to network with one another. Sticker name tags are helpful, but with chalkboard or dry erase name tags you’re showing your attendees you’ve invested a little more into your conference, and you will also be able to use them again and again for future meetings, conference, training classes, etc.

2. When Holding Training Classes

With every new hire you bring on board, you will need to hold training courses to introduce them to your company and make them feel welcome. Many companies bring a few of their new hires in at one time and have at least a day of proper training in a classroom setting. This would also be a great opportunity to use your reusable name tags, as you will need them each time you host a training session. By supplying your new hires with name tags, you’re making it much easier for them to interact with their new co-workers and get to know one another.

Waiter

3. When Welcoming Temporary Employees

In many industries, there are the peak seasons that generate a large portion of the companies’ annual revenue. Whether you’re producing more products for your e-commerce business, serving more guests in your restaurant, or welcoming more guests into your hotel, this is an important part of the year and the influx in business will require an increase in staffing. Many companies look to temporary employees for help during this busy season. Chalkboard and dry erase name tags are a great option for your seasonal employees. Not only will they make your temporary employees part of the team, but they can also be used season after season.

4. When the New School Year Begins

At the beginning of each new school year, most teachers receive a minimum of at least 20 new students they must get to know. There are many things a teacher must learn about their students, from their education to personal needs, but it all begins with their name. Reusable name tags are a fun and economically-friendly way for teachers to learn each of their students name successfully and efficiently. The chalkboard and dry erase base of the name tags perfectly relate to a classroom setting, and creating the name tag unique to each student could also be a fun project for them on the first day of school.

5. When Welcoming Visitors

Potential investors could be touring your facility, or maybe you’re trying to win over a manager you’d like to have on your team. No matter who it may be you will leave a positive, lasting impression by giving them a temporary name tag to wear and allowing your team to greet them by name. Not only will they immediately feel welcomed, they will be impressed by the time and thought you put into their visit. Bring out your reusable name tags every time a visitor enters your doors!

There are an endless number of ways you could use your reusable name tags. Never again will you be forced to throw out a temporary name tag; simply erase the name and add a new one! They may be more professional and even fun to use, but their lifetime value is truly the best thing about them. Choose from a variety of sizes, oval or square shapes, green and black chalkboard surfaces or the dry erase option, whatever best suits your needs, on Name Tag Wizard today.

June 30, 2017June 15, 2022

Magnetic Name Tags: FAQ About Magnets

Looking to purchase name tags for the staff members of your company? Make sure you get name badges that will last and provide employees a fast and convenient way to identify themselves to clients and customers. Magnetic name tags are by far the most popular style.

Among the many name tag fasteners we offer, magnets are best for wearing with professional clothing because they do not leave holes or tears, like traditional pins do. If you want to ensure that your staff members wear name tags that won’t get lost, these magnets provide a strong hold to all types of clothing.

Here are the most common questions about our magnetic name tags:

How do Magnetic Name Tags Work?

Once you have your name badges designed using our design tool, select magnets as your backing type and this is how they will appear on the back of your badges:

Name Badge Magnet — Back View of Magnetic Name Tag

The metal strip is firmly applied with durable adhesive onto the back of plastic or metal name tags, depending on which you choose. These are convenient and allow for easy on-and-off use that won’t leave holes in clothing. The blue plastic strip features 3 strong magnets that will hold the name badge onto all types of clothing, whether it is a thin business shirt or a wool blazer.

Magnetic Strip Applied to Metal Strip on the Back of a Name Tag

Are magnetic name tags harmful?

Magnets are potentially harmful, yes. The blue plastic strip that contains the 3 round magnets features a warning to remind anyone with a pacemaker not to use magnets. “Caution – Magnetic Device, Do Not Use with Pacemaker.” If you are in charge of ordering name badges for your office staff, it is important to be aware of employees who have a pacemaker.

What happens when you put a magnet on a pacemaker?

Magnets are known to interfere with pacemakers, and can inhibit arrhythmia therapy. Individuals with pacemakers are not advised to use magnets. Consult your physician before using magnetic devices. Find more information about magnets and pacemakers here.

What clothing can magnetic badges be worn with?

To ensure the badge is held strongly in place, we suggest only wearing magnetic badges with shirts or other thin material. The magnets are not ideal for thick fleece and jackets.

Magnetic Name Badge on Shirt — Magnetic Name Tag Applied to Collar

Magnets give employees the chance to wear their name tag with different outfits. These can either be affixed to their shirt collar, shirt pocket or anywhere else that is convenient for the type of attire they are wearing.

Can magnets harm computers?

When a magnet is close to a computer’s hard drive, its magnetic field can disrupt the hard drive and destroy contents. Magnetic name tags are generally safe and will not come in close contact with computer hard drives, however.

What types of magnetic name tags do you offer?

Magnets can be applied to every name tag we make, this includes photo IDs and traditional plastic or metal name tags. We also offer magnetic name plates for cubicles.

Our magnetic name tags include:

Engraved
Full color
Reusable badges including chalk board and dry erase
Photo IDs
Name plates. (Magnetic tape is available for cubicle and wall plates).

If you have further questions about magnets or name badges available at NameTagWizard.com, contact our Customer Focus Team. We will be glad to assist you in placing an order!

June 5, 2017July 7, 2020

5 Proven Ways to Connect with your Customers

Connecting with customers will always be important to the success of any business. These days, there are endless opportunities to do so, giving businesses a huge advantage. In order to be successful, we must first listen to what our customers have to say. We need to understand their needs and how we can better serve them. Knowing who your customers are and how they communicate is the first step, but there are proven ways across the board that will help many different types of businesses.

1. Talk, But More Importantly, Listen

Listening is key in any relationship. By listening to your customers, you’ll learn something about not only them but also about your business. Things are changing everyday no matter what industry you belong to, and being able to identify your customer’s needs and provide answers to those needs goes a long way.

2. Write a Blog

The next step after listening to your customers and understanding what they need is providing them with information to help meet their needs. You don’t have to give everything away, but by giving your customers valuable information they’ll be more likely to trust you, your products and your company. Write tutorials, answers frequently asked questions, and show the people who make up your business.

3. Be Relatable

Humanize the people behind your business and make yourselves relatable. Customers enjoy buying tools, products, services, etc. from a person they can relate to, not just an employee there to earn a paycheck. Name tags and desk plates are great tools for breaking down barriers and making employees more relatable. By connecting names and faces, your customers will feel more comfortable with your employees and in turn be loyal to your business.

4. Send a Handwritten Card

This timeless token on your gratitude is a gesture that will not go unnoticed. During holidays or on customer’s birthdays, send them a handwritten card. It could be in celebration of something or to show your gratitude for their business. Sending letters and cards may seem old school to some, but there’s not many more profound ways of showing your appreciation.

5. Be Active on Social Media

If you own a business, it’s more likely than not that your customers are on social media. Since you want to be where your customers are, create profiles on the networks that suite your business best. If you’re running a restaurant, create an Instagram or Snapchat account. If you sell name tags, be present on LinkedIn and Facebook. These outlets are just another method of communicating with your customers. Social media networks are also a great way to share a message with your customers whether you’re wishing them a happy holiday or advertising a sale.

Developing solid relationships with your customers isn’t something that happens overnight, but with these proven ways to connect with them and good intentions your efforts will definitely be rewarded. Customers are more likely to be loyal to a business they can relate to and feel they can trust. By listening to your customers, providing them with value and sharing your gratitude, you’re guaranteed to build a solid customer base that will make your business a success.

May 11, 2017December 7, 2020

Do You Have Appropriate ID For Your Travel Plans?

travel documents with passport and student id

Required Identification for Travel:
Plane Travel
Train Travel
Bus Travel
Road Trips
Cruise Travel
COVID-19 Travel Safety Tips

Find out Which Forms of ID you may need for Each Mode of Transportation

With busy foot traffic and updated precautions amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, airports and major public transportation hubs often have heightened security measures. Safety precautions can include anything from 6-foot social distancing standards to random bag checks and TSA hand screenings. Busy traffic in airports, bus and train stations often increases the need for passengers to stay safe, be prepared, and be ready to show proper photo identification.

Whether you plan to travel by air, train, bus or car, be sure to pack proper ID and follow local safety precautions! This article will help you understand what type of ID may be required for each mode of transportation, as well as explore some COVID-19 travel safety tips.

Identification for Air Travel

If you’re traveling by air, know that the Transportation Security Administration requires that anyone over the age of 18 show a photo ID to board any foreign or domestic flight. The appropriate forms of identification include a driver’s license, permanent resident card, passport, tribal ID and other forms of identification.

Required Identification for Air Travel:

One of the suggested forms of photo identification, including (but not limited to) a driver’s license, permanent resident card, passport, or tribal ID, is required for any passengers over 18
A passport for any foreign travel

Identification for Train Travel

If you plan to take in the sights via Amtrak train transportation, know that you’ll need a photo ID card if you are leaving city limits. (Local subway systems in large cities may not require ID if you’re staying in town.) Amtrak requires photo ID for anyone over age 18 when they obtain their ticket and to check or store bags. To buy a ticket, one must be at least 16 years old, and valid forms of ID include a driver’s license, passport, student ID card or military ID.

Required Identification for Train Travel:

A photo ID card, such as a driver’s license, a passport, student ID card or military ID for any passenger over 18

Identification for Bus Travel

Are you planning to save a few bucks by traveling by bus? If you’re staying within a metro area, all you need is a schedule and fare, but if you’re traveling across a few states to visit family or old friends, you will need a photo ID to ride with Greyhound. Although you can purchase Greyhound tickets online and use your password to pick your tickets up, you’ll still need to show a picture ID card upon boarding.

Required Identification for Bus Travel:

ID may not be required to travel within small metro areas or on city-operated bus systems
A valid photo ID is required for extended bus rides with services like Greyhound

Identification for Road Trips

Road trips are a great way to experience new places and they offer the freedom to venture outside of a planned route, unlike air travel and public transit. For your next trip across the states, you’ll still obviously need a driver’s license, but you may also need other ID upon check-in to hotels, roadside attractions and other destinations. Exploring America’s beautiful national parks and camping spots may also pose the need for a picture ID card, especially for discount pass holders or for activities like mountain climbing. If you have children or teens travelling with you, they should bring their student photo ID cards to ensure everyone can take part in every activity.

Required Identification for Road Trips:

A driver’s license is required for any driver operating your vehicle
Photo IDs for all passengers may also be required for check in at certain hotels, parks, and attractions

Identification for Traveling by Cruise Ship

Looking to kick back and avoid driving or navigating? A cruise is most likely what you have in mind. If you’re setting sail on a luxurious major cruise line like Carnival, depending on where you’re headed, you could be asked to show anything from a passport to a driver’s license not only upon boarding, but to take part in events on the ship, order alcoholic beverages and more.

Required Identification for Cruise Travel:

Photo Identification may be required for each passenger to board
Passports may be required to travel in international waters

COVID-19 Travel Safety Tips

Whether you’ll be traveling by plane, train, bus, car or cruise, safety standards for traveling have changed amidst the Coronavirus pandemic. Here are some safety tips and reminders to help you stay safe:

Don’t forget your mask: Face masks are important, and required in some public areas to keep yourself and those around you safe.
Keep your distance: Staying 6 feet apart from those around you can be difficult in certain methods of transportation, but do your best to keep a healthy distance!
Stay prepared: COVID-19 safety measures (and identification requirements) may vary depending on where you are traveling. Look up safety regulations and rules wherever you plan to visit before you get there.
Wash Your Hands: Remember to wash your hands often! Traveling can mean touching public surfaces that are hubs for germs like door handles. Don’t forget to consistently wash and sanitize your hands!

From ensuring that you have the proper identification to following best safety and health practices, there are a lot of ways to make sure you’re ready to travel!

Wherever you’re headed with your travels, stay safe and be ready to show your ID! Don’t let lack of preparation spoil the fun on your next trip.

May 11, 2017June 22, 2020

Celebrating International Receptionist Day

Every year on the second Wednesday in May, we celebrate the receptionists who keep our offices running smoothly. A receptionist often gives customers the very first impression of a company, whether on the phone or in person, but their responsibilities don’t even begin to end there. They handle paperwork and records, keep organizations running on schedule along with other miscellaneous tasks, all while maintaining a pleasant demeanor. This year, we recognize our receptionists’ hard work on May 8th, 2019.

With over a million receptionists in the United States alone, it’s no surprise we choose to honor them on their own day within the year. National Receptionist Day was created in 1991 by the Director of National Receptionists Association in efforts to “gain awareness and appreciation of the role of receptionists in a business setting and to provide community and support for receptionists nationwide.” Although, other countries across the globe, like Canada, Australia and the UK, now choose to recognize receptionists on this day as well. Which is why this day is now known as International Receptionist Day.

Making a good first impression and connecting with customers is one of the most important roles of a receptionist. When a customer enters an office for the first time, it’s the receptionist’s job to make them feel welcomed. When they return, it’s their duty to make sure they feel appreciated. Receptionists should always be equipped with the tools to succeed in doing just that. Name tags and desk plates are great tools to help receptionists connect with customers instantly. By connecting names to faces, your customers will feel like they’re engaging with another person and not just an employee.

If you own or manage an office, you can join the celebration by either giving your receptionists a day off or finding a way to thank them. By surprising your hard-working receptionists with flowers, lunch, or a professional name plate, you’re sure to show them how appreciated they are. You can even take over their role for the day so you can better understand all the important tasks they juggle on a daily basis. Customers can thank their favorite office’s receptionists by giving them a card or a thoughtful gift.

To learn more about International Receptionist Day, you can visit www.internationalreceptionistsday.com. You can also observe this important holiday by using #internationalreceptionistday on social media.