Print & Graphic Communications Association (PGCA) (formerly Printing Industries Alliance) has selected Mariano Rivera, baseball great, community leader, and philanthropist, as the recipient of its 2023 Franklin Award for Distinguished Service – the highest honor given to an individual by the graphic communications industry.

Since 1952, the Franklin Award has been presented to former U.S. presidents, authors, artists, journalists, and business leaders. Rivera will accept the award at PIA’s Franklin Event in New York City on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

Diane Romano, recently retired graphic communications industry executive, has been named as the recipient of the John Peter Zenger Medal. Ms. Romano is being recognized for her lifelong commitment to a variety of community and charitable causes, while leading one of the largest and most successful business organizations within the industry.  Read more about Diane’s charitable work here.

Paul Reilly, a founding partner of New Direction Partners, the leading investment banking and financial advisory firm in the graphic communications industry, will be recognized with PGCA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Since its founding in April 2009, New Direction Partners has completed over 300 transactions representing over $4 billion in sales value. Read the press release here.

PGCA also just announced that Premier Color Group, Atlantic Tomorrow’s Office, Konica Minolta, EFI, Fiery and Ricoh will also be honored at the Franklin Event, with the “Print Industry Champion” Award. These companies are being recognized for their leadership roles in connecting the mission of the Mariano Rivera Foundation (MRF), to provide education and economic opportunity to young people in underserved communities, with the critical industry need to develop tomorrow’s workforce.  Join us on March 30th to honor Mr. Rivera and these six companies for supporting the print workforce of the future!

The Awards gala will take place at The Lighthouse, Pier 61 at Chelsea Piers, located on the Hudson River and the West Side Highway.  The evening includes an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a sit down dinner, followed by the awards ceremony, dessert and coffee.

Support the event by becoming a sponsor!  Proceeds from the Franklin Event will benefit The Mariano Rivera Foundation and the Mariano Rivera Learning Center, to be constructed in New Rochelle, NY.  Read more about the event here.

Thank you to our event Sponsors!

Platinum Sponsors:  Atlantic, Tomorrow’s Office, Canon Solutions America, Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy, Konica Minolta, Premium Color Group

Gold Sponsors: Blanchard, Case Paper, Dalim, Dow Jones, Duggal, Kodak, Paylocity and Ricoh

Download the event flyer here or register below.  Contact Kim Tuzzo at (716) 691-3211 or kim@printcommunications.org with any questions.