ALEXANDRIA, VA (May 22, 2002) - How can a company increase employee retention, attract more qualified candidates for open positions, and ultimately improve the bottom line? It’s easy - maintain a successful workforce by providing employees a superior workplace. Master Printers of America, in partnership with Printing Industries of America, has developed a program to reward companies’ exceptional human relations policies and practices - The Best Workplace in America Awards. Slow business and a lean staff are a sign of the times. Staff reductions can wreak havoc on your employees, especially those left behind to pick up additional responsibilities. The Best Workplace in America program gives you the tool to boost employee morale and motivate your team to rise to the challenges of these tough economic times. The Best Workplace in America program allows companies to compare their human relations programs and policies to other companies in the graphic arts industry. By filling out a simple survey, a company can see how they rank against the thousands of other printing companies across the country. A team of human relations experts will assess the surveys to formulate the "Best Workplace in America" roster of companies. From those, a selection of the highest rated entries will be named "Best of the Best" companies and any entrant meeting a predetermined set of criteria will be named a "Best Workplace in America." Winners will receive a "Best Workplace in America" plaque, national recognition through the trade press and local media promotion. In its second year, 95 companies were named a "Best Workplace in America" and of those, 32 were named "Best of the Best." Thomas Reeves, president of Kelmscott Press in Aurora, Illinois stated, "The Aurora Economic Development Committee tries to get companies to move into the area and they use Kelmscott’s designation as a Best of the Best Workplace as a shining example. ‘Come to Aurora, this is the kind of workforce and environment we can provide for your business.’" To enter the 2002 competition, download the survey form at www.gain.net or call 800-315-9149 for entry materials. The competition is open to any graphic arts company, union-free, union or combo shop. Completed surveys must be received at Printing Industries of America no later than August 9, 2002.