Printing Industries Alliance (PIA) has scheduled its annual Franklin Event for Wednesday, September 30, 2009 (5:30-10:00 pm) at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, New York City.

A pre-event press conference to announce this year’s honorees for the Franklin Award for Distinguished Service, Power of Communications Awards for Printing, Publishing, and Advertising, as well as the recipient for the John Peter Zenger Medal, will be held earlier on May 20 at Xerox Corporation on Park Avenue.

New this year are “early bird” rates for companies wishing to sponsor the Event.  Sign up by June 15th and save considerable dollars. Platinum sponsorships (reserved table of ten seats), normally $5,000 will be $4,000 and Gold sponsorships (reserved table of five seats), normally $2,500 will be $2,000. All sponsors receive prominent mention in the association’s extensive pre and post-event publicity and PIA website, printed program and venue signage. Companies committing by May 20 will also be announced at the pre-event press conference.  Final deadline for all sponsorships will be September 14th.

“Over 500 CEOs and senior executive decision makers attended this event last September—and we expect the same this year,” noted PIA Franklin Event Chair Diane Romano (HudsonYards, New York City). “Franklin is the ultimate networking opportunity for anyone wishing to meet the movers and shakers within our industry.  In addition to being a fun evening, it opens doors to immediate and direct contact opportunities that will bolster your business in today’s challenging economy.”

Firms that plan to participate or need additional information should contact PIA Vice President, Vicki Keenan, at (908) 233-4124 ([email protected]).

Nominations for the John Peter Zenger Medal, which are open to all graphic communications firms within New York State, northern New Jersey, and northwestern Pennsylvania, are being accepted by PIA until April 30th.  Neither the nominator nor the nominee need be a PIA member, but the nominee’s workplace must be located within the association’s trade territory. This award is not based on title or position and is specifically designed to recognize an employee at any level who meets the Medal’s selection criteria. See PIA’s website, www.PIAlliance.org, for detailed information and nomination forms.