Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Printing Industries of America is now accepting entries for the Best Workplace in the Americas (BWA) Program. This program was developed to recognize a company's employee relations practices and policies that go above and beyond the industry average. The BWA program recognizes companies that commit to their workforce through sound human relations practices. Winning a BWA award can be the inspiration a company needs to evolve and continue to develop.

Receiving a BWA award does wonders for a company's morale and is a great indicator that they're on the path of success. Amy Turner, vice president of human resources at HGI Company, and one of last year's recipients, says, "We feel this is the most important recognition that HGI Company has earned. We strive to create an employee-focused culture; therefore, our overall success is dependent on the engagement, talent, and effort of each individual employee. This award gives credibility to our efforts on all of those fronts."

BWA recognition communicates so much more than harboring happy employees. To potential customers and future employees, it's a reflection of unparalleled company standards as well as the care that goes into the decisions made. Michelle Waterhouse, a director of personnel at Hopkins Printing and a past BWA recipient, says, "The BWA award helps our company's recruiting efforts--both for employees and customers. Potential employees are pleased to know that they are coming to a company that has been recognized by its peers for being a great place to work. Potential customers who ask us to complete an RFI or RFQ usually have a question that asks about any awards we have won as a company. It's a great sales tool."

In addition, recipients of the BWA award receive feedback from highly respected U.S. and Canadian human resources professionals. These insights pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of a program so that the program can further evolve. Of this feedback, Michelle Waterhouse says, "The judges send us a letter listing things that they like about our benefit package and listing things we could improve for our employees. Every year we analyze the improvement suggestions and implement as many as we can. This award has helped us to be a better company. "

Any U.S. or Canadian graphic communications company, or supplier to the graphic communication industry, can enter by completing the two-part survey form found at www.printing.org/bwa. The survey was designed with busy professionals in mind and is a very quick and painless process. There are three categories to win in: Best Workplace in the Americas, Best of the Best, and Company Size Breakouts. Judges do consider the sizes of companies while choosing a winner. Award winners receive a Best Workplace plaque, recognition in industry publications, national and local media promotion, and a copy of the book, Best Practices of the Best Workplaces. Entries must be submitted by September 30, 2010, and sent to Printing Industries of America at:
Best Workplace in the Americas
601 13th Street, NW, Suite 350S
Washington, DC 20005