Orlando, FL, November 30, 2006 - The Printing Association of Florida is proud to announce that two Florida affiliate member companies, Franklin Communications of Miami and St. Ives, Inc. US Division of Hollywood and Miami, have won honors in the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) 2006 Best Workplace in the Americas Awards. A total of 55 graphic arts companies were selected by a committee of distinguished human resource experts from within the industry in a program designed to recognize graphic arts companies for their outstanding HR efforts that contribute to a successful workplace. "We're extremely proud of Franklin Communications and St. Ives, Inc. for having received these honors. This is a tribute to their strong and forward-thinking management team and gives their companies the recognition they deserve for their innovative yet cost-effective HR programs," said Michael Striebig, outgoing president of the Printing Association of Florida. "It's no easy task to meet the judging criteria." Judging for the awards were conducted by leading human resources experts who evaluated each company's performance in the areas of management practices, work environment, training and development opportunities, recognition and rewards, workplace health and safety, health and well-being programs, financial security and work-life balance. "Since 2000, the Best Workplace program has recognized industry leaders from small, medium and large firms in the graphic arts industry for their outstanding human relations practices. While every company that entered this year's competition has HR programs they should be proud of, the Best Workplace program recognizes outstanding accomplishment," said Jim Kyger, HR Director for PIA/GATF. "This program is a way to give employers doing innovative, yet cost-effective HR programs the recognition they deserve." A total of 19 companies received the coveted designation Best of the Best for which St. Ives, Inc. US Division won their honor, while Franklin Communications along with only 35 other companies earned Best Workplace honors.