Association will be accepting nominations through March 24, 2023 

[BRADENTON, FL] The Book Manufacturers’ Institute (BMI) is now accepting nominations for their Rising Star Award which recognizes book industry professionals who are making a positive impact on their companies, in their communities, and on the industry. Nominations will be accepted through Friday March 24, 2023 at 5pm ET. The Award will be presented at the BMI Spring Management Conference in Louisville April 30 - May 2, 2023.

The inaugural class of finalist honorees were celebrated at the 2019 BMI Spring Management Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. Clark Matthews of Independent Publishers Group was the recipient of the first-ever Rising Star Award. The 2020 Rising Star Award was given to Cara Lahey of Publishers' Graphics. There was no award issued in 2021 due to the pandemic. The 2022 winner was Jonathan Conant of Lakeside Book Company.

This honor was conceived to “spotlight up-and-coming, worthy colleagues from companies in the printing, binding, and manufacturing sector—a vital segment of the book publishing supply chain,” according to Matt Baehr, Executive Director of BMI. “We are thrilled to honor and commemorate the accomplishments of the upcoming generation of leaders. The Spring Management Conference in Louisville is the perfect setting for celebrating our up and coming professionals.”

The selection criteria:

• Sustained excellent job performance
• Contributions to their company, community, and/or industry
• Continued training/education/learning within the industry
• Demonstration of exemplary customer service, community service, and/or industry service
• Age 39 years younger as of March 24, 2023 (the end of the nomination period)
• Employed in BMI’s network of member companies

BMI President Dave McCree of Lakeside Book Company said, “I am certain that our industry’s young professionals will maintain and improve upon the robustness of the book manufacturing space. This recognition serves as a means to showcase the outstanding individuals who are currently driving the book manufacturing sector forward.”

Nominations are open at BMI’s website.