70 Years of Industry Impact at 2026 Star Awards Banquet
PIM’s Annual Star Awards Banquet & Awards Ceremony Recap
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — June 19, 2026 — Printing Industry Midwest (PIM), the nonprofit trade association representing the region’s premier print service providers, proudly welcomed 270 industry professionals to the 2026 Star Awards Banquet on June 18, 2026, recognizing the exceptional talent, innovation, and leadership shaping the future of print. The event provides valuable opportunities for networking, collaboration, and recognition among peers and industry partners.
As the Midwest’s premier awards program for the printing industry, the Annual Star Awards honored outstanding individuals and print projects submitted by twenty-five PIM member organizations. Entries were evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, showcasing the creativity, craftsmanship, and forward-thinking excellence that continue to drive the industry forward.
This year’s celebration carried even greater significance as PIM commemorated its seventieth anniversary year. For seven decades, PIM has remained committed to serving, advocating for, and strengthening the print industry through education, workforce development, industry advocacy, and meaningful connections that help printers and suppliers succeed. The evening served not only as a recognition of industry achievement, but also as a celebration of the people, partnerships, and innovation that have shaped PIM’s legacy over the last 70 years.
“PIM’s seventieth anniversary is a testament to the strength, resilience, and creativity of the print industry,” said Kristin Pilling-Davis, PIM’s Executive Director. “The Star Awards Banquet continues to bring together the very best of our industry to celebrate excellence, inspire innovation, and recognize the individuals and organizations making a lasting impact.”
One of the evening’s most anticipated moments was the presentation of the prestigious PIM Graphic Arts Industry Leader of the Year Award. For fifty-four years, this distinguished honor has recognized
exceptional leadership and dedication within the print industry. Selected annually by past award recipients, the honor is reserved for one of the industry’s most respected and influential leaders. At this year’s banquet, PIM proudly named Tom Murphy of CARDSource as the 2026 Graphic Arts Industry Leader of the Year.
Murphy graduated from Bloomington Lincoln High School and earned technical degrees in welding and fabrication, non-destructive testing, and quality assurance. He later completed the Carlson School of Management’s Minnesota Executive Program, became a certified life coach, and earned certification as a yoga instructor.
After working as an inspector in the nuclear power industry, Murphy joined his father’s company, Plastic Products, helping grow the business from a small basement operation into a successful company that eventually became CARDSource. He served as President beginning in 1989 and led the company until retiring in 2023, when third-generation owner Ryan Murphy took over. Murphy and his wife Julie have been married for 44 years, and he now enjoys spending time at their lake home in western Wisconsin and with their eight grandchildren. Please join PIM in congratulating Tom Murphy.
Throughout the evening, attendees celebrated outstanding print achievements across a wide range of categories, recognizing the exceptional craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation produced by print professionals throughout the Midwest. PIM extends its congratulations to all member organizations that nominated outstanding team members and submitted award-winning printed projects. The following honors were presented during the 2026 Star Awards Banquet:
2026 Professional of the Year Awards
PIM proudly recognized outstanding industry professionals for their leadership, expertise, and contributions to the success of their organizations and the print industry.
- Creative Professional of the Year: Alix Gay from The John Roberts Company
- Customer Service Representative (CSR) of the Year: Molly Pothen from Impact
- Financial Professional of the Year: Jim Baxter from MackayMitchell
- Human Resources (HR) Professional of the Year: Jackie Schouvieller from American Spirit – Carlson Print Group
- Manager of the Year: Tom Wall from The John Roberts Company
- Production Professional of the Year: Phuong Tu from BCSI
- Team of the Year: Japs-Olson Marketing Team
- Young Professional of the Year: Casey Hains from Nahan
2026 Printed Project Awards
The Printed Project Awards recognized exceptional print execution, innovation, and visual impact across the industry’s most competitive categories.
- Best of Show: “Boom and Dust Accordion Fold Brochure with Wrap” produced by Shapco Printing, Inc.
- Best of Show Runner-Up: “Moon & Pepper Poster” produced by Franklin Press, Inc.
- Best of Show Honorable Mention: “1IG Marketing for Print” produced by First Impression Group
- People’s Choice Award: “Blackwell” produced by The John Roberts Company
As PIM reflects on 70 years of industry leadership, the organization remains focused on supporting the future of print through advocacy, professional development, workforce initiatives, and strong member connections. PIM extends its sincere appreciation to all event sponsors, Lindenmeyr Munroe the 2026 Signature Star Awards Sponsor, Star Awards program participants, judges, and attendees who helped make the 2026 Star Awards Banquet a memorable success. A complete list of event sponsors and program participants can be found at www.pimw.org/star-awards/2026-star-awards-winners/.
ABOUT PIM
Printing Industry Midwest (PIM) is a not-for-profit trade association representing the Midwest’s leading print service organizations in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Our mission is to be the leading resource to enhance the insights, strength and profitability of the printing, graphic communications and related industries through advocacy, education, safety, and environmental information. To learn more about PIM membership, please visit www.pimw.org/benefits/. To learn more about PIM’s Star Awards, please visit www.pimw.org/star-awards/.
