SMYRNA, Ga. -- On Friday evening, April 3, The Printing & Imaging Association of Georgia (PIAG) hosted more than 350 industry professionals at their annual Celebration of Print Gala, held at Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.

Each year, the Celebration of Print Gala honors the award winners of PIAG’s prestigious Print Excellence Competition and reveals the recipient of the Benjamin Franklin Award, the highest honor bestowed in Georgia's printing and imaging industry. This year’s gala also featured celebrated comedienne Jan McInnis as the evening’s master of ceremonies, and an impressive display of award winning entries was available for guests to explore throughout the evening.

During the program Mr. Jefferson R. Riley, of THP Graphics Group in Conyers, Georgia, was honored as the 2009 Benjamin Franklin Award recipient. The award recognizes Mr. Riley as a major contributor to the graphic arts industry in Georgia for more than thirty years and was bestowed in recognition of the level of commitment and excellence he has shown to his family, business, industry and community.

 Information about all of the 2009 Print Excellence Competition winners is available upon request and can also be found in the April issue of Georgia Printer magazine, circulated to all those with a stake in print; including commercial, trade, quick copy and in-house printers, graphic arts suppliers, legislative leaders and media buyers. To download an electronic copy of the April 2009 issue of Georgia Printer magazine visit http://www.georgiaprinteronline.com.

About The 2009 Print Excellence Competition The Print Excellence Competition, owned and managed by The Printing & Imaging Association of Georgia (PIAG), is an annual event that recognizes and rewards printing and imaging companies who combine fine craftsmanship with technology in order to produce outstanding finished products.

This year’s competition featured the work of 48 participating companies and 5 graphic arts high schools from across the state, bringing in a total of 876 entries.