Minneapolis, Minn. – Printing Industry Midwest (PIM), the not-for-profit trade organization representing the Midwest’s leading print service providers, welcomed 300 to its sold-out banquet and awards ceremony on April 25, 2019, in Minneapolis. The Annual PIM Star Awards is the Midwest region’s chance to celebrate our industry’s commitment to quality and creativity, with twenty-two members submitting projects to be evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges.

During the evening, the 2019 Graphic Arts Industry Leader of the Year was awarded to Dave Haugland, owner of Impressive Print. Given to industry leaders by PIM since 1972, previous recipients select each new member of this elite list annually. Haugland was recognized by his peers for his exemplary leadership. He began his career in the printing industry upon graduating from University of Wisconsin Stout in 1983. Haugland opened Impressive Print in 1987 with his business partner Mike Baca, in a three-person shop in the Midway area of St. Paul, Minnesota. Now located in a new state-of-the-art facility in Roseville, Minnesota, Haugland conveyed pride in his dedicated and committed team, “None of what I accomplished and receive would be possible without them and the support of my wife Nancy and children, Ryan and Hannah for all these years. I proudly accept the honor of the 2019 Graphic Arts Leader of the year and am humbled by the company of great leaders that received this before me.”

Other awards handed out at the 2019 Star Awards included:

• Dave Kane from SeaChange Print Innovations who received the Production Professional of the Year Award
• Mike Kucera from GLS Companies who received the Customer Service Representative of the Year Award
• Lisa Stelter from Sanford Health who received the first-ever Young Professional of the Year Award
• Laura Karels from IWCO Direct who received the first ever Creative-Professional of the Year Award
  Daily Printing - Pressroom Efficiency Team - Hank Robotnik,
• Keith Mahoney, Mike McCallion and Don Bergeron – received the Outstanding Team of the Year Award

The evening was rounded out with the announcement of the 2019 Best of Show Award to GLS/Next Precision Marketing’s "Mercedes Benz Stadium Book." Best of Show Honorable Mention was awarded to Bolger Vision Beyond Print for their “Natalia Berglund" entry. Best of Show Runner-Up went to The John Roberts Company for their "Brands Education Book." Winner of the evening’s People’s Choice Award went to Pro Print, Inc. for their “Pro Touch Gallery Book.”

To view a list of all the winning companies, visit our website for more information. PIM thanks the following sponsors who helped make the event successful – Signature Star Awards Sponsor – Lindenmeyr Munroe, Pioneer Paper Stock, IWCO Direct, Seaton, Peters & Revnew, Bremer Bank, Midland Paper, LB Carlson, Case Paper, Heidelberg, Anchor Paper Company, Konica Minolta, Canon Solutions America, Daily Printing and Standard Dynamics, Inc..