Every career in property management calls for leadership, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to the people we serve. That's why it's important to celebrate the people behind our success. For over five decades, Willow Bridge has done just that through our annual company-wide awards celebration: The Gold Medallion Awards.

What exactly are the Gold Medallions? They represent the highest honor within our company, designed to shine a spotlight on individuals who go above and beyond for their teams, residents, and communities. This tradition dates back to the early days of our company’s story, rooted in the idea of ensuring hard work never goes unnoticed. Awards span a wide range of specialties, from operations, training, and maintenance to concierge services, leasing, and marketing — including this year’s debut of our Core Value Awards, meant to recognize our team members who embody our values every day. Each year, all Willow Bridge team members are given the opportunity to be recognized for their hard work, dedication, and passion.

2026 marked the 53rd year of celebrations across the company. While the core purpose of the Gold Medallions has remained unchanged, the scale of how and whom we recognize has evolved just as the multifamily industry has changed over the decades. Founded in 1965, Willow Bridge today stands as the third-largest management company in the United States, with more than 6,000 team members. The award ceremonies take place across the country, ensuring all groups have the opportunity to celebrate together with their local and regional teams.

Over the years, these celebrations have earned a reputation across the company — as well as within the industry — as a highly respected and anticipated event season, typically stretching from early April through late June.

These high-energy events are produced not only to celebrate our team members, but also to give our teams space to cheer each other on and build momentum for the year ahead together. Ask anyone who has been in one of these rooms, and they will tell you— the energy is electric and unlike any other gathering across the organization.

Irving Espadas Ibarra, winner of the Rookie of the Year, Eagle Award, Perfect Shop, and Social Media of the Year Award in the INDY/KC market, highlighted: “Recognition reminds us that our hard work matters. It motivates us to keep pushing forward during the difficult days and reinforces that our efforts are making a difference. Celebrating both individual accomplishments and team successes creates a culture where people feel valued, appreciated, and seen. Knowing that you work for a company that recognizes your dedication and believes in what you bring to the table is incredibly meaningful, and it's something everyone deserves to experience from time to time.”

While putting these events together is a big undertaking, the effort is nothing compared to the joy of showing our teams how much they matter. Tiphanie Babinet, winner of the Memorable Experience of the Year Award in the CHI/MKE market, shared: “I truly appreciate the company recognizing the efforts of its employees who show how engaged they are and who want to be part of the brand's story and success. Being recognized is a way of supporting my ideas and efforts and showing trust in my perspectives and suggestions. I also appreciate the effort that goes into organizing the awards ceremony, as it is produced with taste and fun for all to enjoy!” It's these moments of recognition that fuel our teams for everything to come.

Looking back at the historic legacy of The Gold Medallion Awards, it is easy to see how deeply this tradition has shaped our company culture. Just as the multifamily industry evolves, our celebrations have grown and adapted alongside it. We have continually modernized the program to reflect changing times, employee growth, and the expansion of our portfolio. No matter how quickly the industry evolves or how our market presence continues to expand, the Gold Medallion Awards tradition keeps us firmly grounded in our values — serving as a people-first company that cares deeply for our team members and the communities we serve.