PIM’s Annual Star Awards Banquet & Awards Ceremony Recap

 

BLOOMINGTON, MN — The Printing Industry Midwest (PIM), a leading not-for-profit trade organization representing top print service providers in the Midwest, recently hosted its 2024 Star Awards banquet and awards ceremony on June 13, 2024. The event drew nearly 300 print professionals to celebrate the industry’s commitment to quality and creativity.

 

The 2024 Star Awards showcased the remarkable talent within the Midwest’s graphic community. Eleven PIM member organizations nominated sixty outstanding professionals for leadership awards, and twenty organizations submitted around 135 projects for evaluation by a distinguished panel of judges. This year saw an increase in both leadership nominations and project submissions, highlighting the region’s exceptional talent.

 

Since 1972, PIM has recognized industry leaders with the prestigious PIM Graphic Arts Industry Leader award. This year, Mel Enger, President of LB Carlson, was honored as PIM’s 2024 Graphic Arts Industry Leader of the Year. Mel has been an active member of PIM for over three decades, significantly contributing to the print industry. His 40-year tenure at LB Carlson and 40-year marriage to his wife Deb were celebrated alongside this achievement.

 

Other notable leadership awards included:

- Shawn Meyer, Mackay Mitchell – Creative Professional of the Year

- Auggie McKibben, RR Donnelly – Customer Service Rep of the Year

- Fung Sang Lee, RR Donnelly – Financial Professional of the Year

- Elena Taylor, Nahan – Human Resource Professional of the Year

- Emily Shultz, The John Roberts Company – Manager of the Year

- Avery Rueckhiem, ENPOINTE – Production Professional of the Year

- Alex Negrete, IWCO – Sales & Marketing Professional of the Year

- Japs Olson CVS Team – Team of the Year

- Meg Garcia, AWT Labels & Packaging – Young Professional of the Year

 

For a complete list of award winners, visit [PIM Awards](http://www.pimw.org/pim-awards/).

 

Top Midwest printed projects for 2024 were also honored:

- Best of Show: “Play” by Bolger

- Best of Show Runner Up: “Parks of Minneapolis Print” by Studio on Fire

- Best of Show Honorable Mention: “David Yurman” by Bolger

- People’s Choice: “You Dream It Up” by Wallace Carlson Printing

 

For a complete list of winning organizations, visit [2024 Star Award Winners](http://www.pimw.org/2024-star-award-winners/).

 

PIM also recognized organizations participating in its Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Accreditation program, which aims to improve recruitment, hiring, and training practices. This year, The John Roberts Company achieved Star Three – Momentum, and Nahan achieved Star Two – Aim. Learn more about this program at [PIM DE&I](http://www.pimw.org/diversity/).

 

Additionally, the PIM Great Green Printer program, with 28 organizations committed to environmental excellence, was highlighted. More information on this program is available at [Great Green Printer](http://www.pimw.org/great-green-printer/).

 

PIM extends its gratitude to the event sponsors, including Lindenmeyr Munroe, Midland Paper, FUJIFILM, Bremer Bank, CGS ORIS I AMERICAS, Federated Insurance, EO Johnson, Case Paper, Littler Law, Anchor Paper, Heidelberg USA, Canon Solutions America, LB Carlson, Gravie, Kodak, Landa, Xeikon, CARDSource, Daily Printing, Inc., and EO Johnson.