Complete Story
01/22/2020
Print Week 2020 - Central Region's Franklinton Award Winner
Our Print Week traditions not only include celebrating our Print Excellence Award winners, but we honor individuals and companies who have greatly impacted the industry. In the early 1970’s, the Printing Industry of Central Ohio and the Columbus Club of Printing House Craftsmen came together and created the Franklinton Award. The first was awarded in 1974 and has continued each year to be presented to individuals or groups who have made outstanding public contributions to the central Ohio community. This award, the highest recognition made by the Central Ohio graphic arts industry, honors Benjamin Franklin, the patron saint of the printing industry, who dedicated his life to the betterment of his community and country.
In 2008, Printing Industries of Ohio • N.Kentucky (now Graphic Media Alliance) began presenting this prestigious award to a member of the industry who had made significant contributions to our central Ohio graphic arts community, as opposed to a community leader/contributor in general. Winners of this award since this change include: Jim Hopkins, Hopkins Printing; Bill Stickney, former Printing Industries president; Robert Coyne, formerly of Coyne Graphic Finishing; Robert Boehm of Boehm, Inc.; Gene Scott, PXPOHIO, David Pilcher Sr., Freeport Press; David Olberding, Phototype; Frank Coriell, Veritiv; Dave Marsh, West-Camp Press, Mary Held and Sue Horn, Old Trail Printing Company; Eric Michael of Millcraft, and his father, Erwin Michael, and the 2019 Honorees Richard Potts, Harris Paper Crafts and Robin Hance, Robin Enterprises.
We are pleased to announce this year’s 47th Central Region Franklinton Award winner who will join the highly regarded group above: Judy Anderson of Identity Systems, Inc.
Judy Anderson has been involved in the Printing Industry since 1985, when she started working for a company that made name badges and signage. When she had her youngest daughter Alexandria in 1987, she asked if she could stay home for three months and work from home, or bring her baby to the office with her. The company she worked for said no, and that was the catalyst for where we are today.
Judy decided at that time to open her own printing company and went after Walmart, who at the time was in the top five large retailers behind Sears and Kmart. Walmart was the first client she landed, and they have been a client ever since. In the years following, Judy has built a company, in a primarily male dominated field, that has been ahead of its time.
From the beginning, Judy has consistently promoted having women in multiple roles including management, sales and production, advancing the role of women in the printing industry. Currently Identity Systems has 32 employees, including 21 women.
Since Identity Systems’ inception, female office employees have been allowed three months of maternity leave and can bring their babies with them to the office for up to 21 months. This provides the mother with two years of bonding time with the child and saves thousands in child care costs per employee.
Judy has always put a helping hand forward to help other female-owned businesses, no matter what the industry. She will always step up to help other businesses, and over the years, the company has provided free signage to various businesses in need. In 2014, she was honored by the WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council) as one of the Top 14 Business Women in the Country and elected as National Council Representative for the Ohio River Valley Region.
Join us in celebrating Judy's accomplishments at the Annual Central Region Banquet on January 30th beginning at 6:00 pm.
More info about the Print Week Events:
Join us to review and honor all the wonderful printed work in Ohio, N.Kentucky and Michigan. Put your region's event on your calendar and celebrate the best of the best AND take part in choosing the best of the best. Attend one (or more) of the regional banquets and you can vote for that region's People's Choice Award.
Print Week Events:
In the South, you can attend the annual Southern Region Banquet to honor the Print Excellence Award winners and vote for the People's Choice Award winner. We will also be presenting the 33rd Maxwell Winner Award and the 58th Printer of the Year Award. The Southern banquet is set for Thursday, January 23rd starting at 6:00 pm. Registration is $80, and Non-member is $160.
New Location this year:
The Madison Event Center
700 Madison Avenue
Covington, KY 41011
Call us to register for this event.
The Central Region Banquet will honor Print Excellence Awards winners at the Creekside Conference and Event Center in Gahanna on January 30th at 6:00 pm. The banquet will start at 6:00 p.m. Registration is $80, and Non-member is $160.
Creekside Conference and Event Center
700 Creekside Plaza
Gahanna, OH 43230
To register, CLICK HERE.
The Northern Region combines the fun and the awards at the annual Ben's Bash. Join us on Thursday, February 6th at 6:00 pm. This event will be the highlight of the print scene; don't miss it! Registration is $55, and Non-member is $110.
100th Bomb Group
20920 Brookpark Road
Cleveland, OH 44135
To register, CLICK HERE.
The Michigan Region will recognize it's first year Print Excellence Awards winners in conjunction with the February Regional Advisory Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 11th. The PEA winners will be recognized at this joint event with the Detroit Craftsmen Club. The event begins at 5:30 pm.
Printing Industries of America's President, Michael Makin, will present the State of the Industry and address what the future holds for the printing industry! He will also discuss the upcoming PIA and SGIA merger.
