SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass. (Oct. 4, 2007) -- Printing Industries of New England, the region's largest trade association for printing and graphic communications companies, will host its annual Industry Awards Gala Thursday, Nov. 1 at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel in Framingham, Mass.
The Industry Awards Gala has grown to become the preeminent evening for leaders in New England's $12 billion print marketplace to gather to recognize achievements over the past year.
PINE's Influencer Award, given to an individual who has positively affected the graphic communications industry, will be presented to Randy Davidson, president and founder of WhatTheyThink.com. The popular web site has emerged as a leading source of unbiased information for printing executives as they set the strategic course for their companies. The award is sponsored by Heidelberg.
UniGraphic, a print service provider with services ranging from dynamic wide format printing to digital asset management to digital reproduction and more, will receive PINE's Dedication to Excellence Award for its commitment over the past year to ongoing training and professional development for staff members. The Education Award is sponsored by Adobe.
Continuous Membership Awards will be presented to five companies: W.E. Andrews, an RR Donnelley Company, for 50 years of membership; and Atlas Press, Red Mill Graphics, Waterfront Printing, and Wellesley College each for 25 years of membership.
Also, the Printing & Publishing Council of New England, a non-profit educational organization that administers one of the largest graphic arts scholarship programs in the United States and is supported by PINE, will present its Benjamin Franklin Printer of the Year Award to Kitty St. Sauveur, president of Alliance Print Group of Boston, one of the region's largest print brokerage firms.
Awards of Excellence
New this year is PINE's Awards of Excellence print competition. Launched in an effort to create a new outlet for members to promote the quality of their print reproduction work, winners will be announced throughout the evening.
"Our members have responded overwhelmingly to this new program," said PINE President Jim Tepper. "We have more than 300 entries from more than 54 companies. Our members always welcome new opportunities to showcase their fine work."
There are 18 entry categories. A Pinnacle Award will be presented to an entry that is selected as the best in a category, only if that entry is flawless. One Best of Show award will be presented to the piece judges feel distinguishes itself above all others. All Best of Category winners compete for this special award.
Xerox and FujiFilm are sponsors for the Awards of Excellence program.
Schedule and ticket information
The Industry Awards Gala opens with a cocktail reception at 5 p.m. Awards of Excellence winners will be on display in the reception area. Several vendors will staff tabletop exhibits during the opening reception to give attendees the chance to learn more about their products and services. The banquet begins promptly at 7 p.m. Announcement of all awards will be made throughout the evening.
Individual tickets cost $60. Tables of 10 are available for $560. The Sheraton Framingham Hotel is located at 1657 Worcester Road (Route 9) in Framingham. The hotel is easily accessible from Exit 12 off the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90).
Tickets can be purchased through the PINE web site at www.pine.org or by calling PINE directly at 508-804-4100 or 1-800-365-7463.