June 30, 2003 -- Johannesburg - From small beginnings in South Africa 25-years ago, as the Sappi South African Printer of the Year Awards, the Sappi International Printer of the Year competition has grown into the most prestigious contest of its kind in the world. Now in its seventh year, the international awards recognise and honour the skill and craftsmanship of printers world-wide. This year also saw the tenth Sappi European Printer of the Year Awards, the sixth Sappi North America Printer of the Year Awards and the third Sappi Trading Printer of the Year Awards for printers in Asia, Australasia, South and Central America being held. But the main question at the moment has been – where will Sappi host the awards in 2003? Glamour and elegance prevail as guests from around the world attend the international awards at an unforgettable gala event, the highlight of a wonderful weekend. Each year, the event is staged in a different country and at a prime location. In 1997 the award ceremony was held in Cape Town, South Africa. The following year it moved to the stunning Monte Carlo Sporting Club and in 1999, the gala event took place at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Centre in Washington. The millennium event was held at the Palace of the Lost City, near Johannesburg in South Africa and the 2001 event was held at the Grand Hyatt in the exotic city of Hong Kong. In 2002, Berlin, Germany saw the event take place during the anniversary of the Unification of Germany celebrations. The 2003 Sappi International Printer of the Year will take place from 09 to 11 October 2003 in the ‘Big Apple’. Vibrant, cosmopolitan New York – home to myriad nationalities … the city that never sleeps – will host the world’s best printers from around the world. At the international event, the regional award winners from Africa, Europe, North America and Trading each receive their regional trophy. The awards ceremony then culminates in the announcement of the overall Sappi International Printer of the Year selected from the four regional winners. As befits the honour, each year the winner of the international event receives the magnificent International Printer of the Year trophy and a handcrafted commemorative medallion. The trophy is of an elephant sculpted in bronze, to represent the enduring symbol of excellence and pride associated with this superb animal. The trophy is the winner’s to keep in recognition of their outstanding achievement.