Complete Story
03/08/2022
Print Week 2022: Hall of Distinction Inductee
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. This week, we congratulate our 2022 Hall of Distinction inductee!
Each year members of the Northern Ohio graphic arts community gather to honor outstanding individuals who have given of their time and talents to help further the goals of the Graphic Arts Community by honoring them with membership in the Hall of Distinction.
These individuals represent the best the industry has to offer and are selected based on the following criteria:
- Widely recognized success in the graphic communications industry
- Significant contribution of time and talent to trade and professional organizations
- Help and encouragement for young people interested in careers in the graphic communications industry
- Advice and counseling for those seeking employment in the industry
- Contributions to the general northern Ohio community outside of the industry including charitable participation and contributions, fundraising, volunteer support and promotion of civic initiatives
During our 2022 Northern Region Ben’s Bash, we are honored to induct an industry professional into the prestigious Hall of Distinction. This individual represents all criteria and have made great impacts on the industry and individuals belonging to it. We are honored to congratulate Jim Cunningham, former president of Graphic Media Alliance.
Jim started his career in print running a Multilith 1250 for Lennox Industries’ In-Plant shop in 1973. Little did he know when he left Lennox he would be coming back to the industry thirty-two years later. He did dip back in to printing on the publishing side when he started a newspaper for people with disabilities in the late 80’s. The three decades in between were exciting, educational, and most importantly, fulfilling years for him.
Throughout his career Jim has had the pleasure of working in a variety of different segments of the community and with many incredible people, including, community leaders and celebrities, people with disabilities, animals (mostly dogs), and people with disabilities and dogs together, and of course printers and the vast array of people in the print and graphics community.
After leaving Lennox, Jim joined the Central Ohio Rehabilitation Center, CORC, developing hi-tech training programs for people with disabilities. After 4-5 year’s success in these programs at CORC Jim started a consulting business to create similar programs throughout the Midwest and eastern regions of the country. He is very proud of the fact that several hundred people with disabilities became gainfully employed through the hard work of those individuals, professional businesses and their representatives.
Following several years traveling and consulting Jim left his business to become the first President of Canine Companions, CCI, in Central Ohio. CCI allowed Jim the opportunity to continue to work with people with disabilities and combine another love, dogs, to help increase their independence. Following seven great years at CCI Jim was recruited to an even larger reclamation project, the Capital Area Humane Society, CAHS.
CAHS was one of the largest animal shelters in the Midwest serving over 15,000 animals per year. The shelter was in desperate shape and slated to close. Animal care was inadequate and politically and financially the shelter was failing. With a great amount of help from the central Ohio business community, state and national politicians and countless volunteers they were able to restore animal care, the financial stability and the reputation of the organization. He is also proud of the vital role he played along with State Representative, Pat Tiberi in rewriting the Ohio Revised Code and laws for animal care and welfare. During his time at CAHS Jim was recognized as a Top 10 Person to Watch in Central Ohio by the Columbus Magazine.
While at CAHS, one of the CAHS Board members was part owner of Graeter’s Ice Cream and helped recruit him as the new President of the popular ice cream company. Jim spent three years with Graeters, expanding the market to Dayton, and expanding grocery store sales. His favorite and most popular success was the creation of the “Buckeye Blitz” ice cream flavor, which is still a favorite for many Graeter’s customers.
While Graeter’s ice cream is still a favorite of Jim’s, the desire to make more of a difference brought him to PIANKO in 2005 to help restore the association financially and revive their programs and services. These last 17-18 years have been some of his most enjoyable and the people he has met have been incredible. The history of the industry and love of print is evident throughout every print shop and facility he has visited and the vast majority of people he has met. Despite the changing environment of the industry and the world, Jim believes print will be different going forward but print will always be with us and for many in the industry, in us.
The real love of Jim’s life is his family, his wife Nancy, daughters Jamie and Jenny, son Aaron, sons in-law Patrick and Bryan and granddaughter Evie. All are exceptionally successful and keep the bar set high for Jim to maintain.
We look forward to you joining us at Southern Tier Brewery on March 24 to honor Jim. Registration details can be found below.
We can't wait to see everyone tomorrow, March 10, for our Southern Region Reception!
We will be hosting our reception at Moerlein Lager House in Cincinnati. Prominently situated in the dynamic Smale Riverfront Park, the Moerlein Lager House offers a guest experience unlike any other - a working microbrewery producing a full line of craft brews and delectable fare reminiscent of foods served in the city’s celebrated 19th century beer gardens.
We will also be presenting the 35th Maxwell Award and the 2022 Printer of the Year. The Southern banquet is set for Thursday, March 10 starting at 6:00 pm. Registration is $80, and non-member is $120.
New Location This Year:
Moerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202
The Central Region reception will honor Print Excellence Awards winners on Thursday, March 17, starting at 6:00 pm.
We will be returning to Creekside Conference & Event Center in Gahanna. Creekside Conference & Event Center is a sophisticated and breathtaking space with a touch of metropolitan flare, perfectly located just minutes from Downtown Columbus, Port Columbus International Airport and Easton Town Center.
Come for the Print Excellence Awards, stay to celebrate the recipient of the 2022 Franklinton Award! Registration is $75, and non-member is $120.
Returning To:
Creekside Conference & Event Center
101 Mill St. #300
Gahanna, OH 43230
The Northern Region combines the fun and the awards at the annual Ben's Bash. Join us on Thursday, March 24, starting at 6:00 pm.
We will be hosting our reception in the barrel-aging basement lounge at Southern Tier Brewing in Downtown Cleveland. The brewery and taproom is a short walk from Quicken Loans Arena and Progressive Field and features a German-designed brewing system and a series of fermenters to brew local-only beers for the pub.
In addition to the Print Excellence Awards winner being recognized, we will be inducting a new member into the Hall of Distinction. This event will be the highlight of the print scene; don't miss it! Registration is $65, and non-member is $120.
New Location This Year:
Southern Tier Brewery
811 Prospect Ave. E
Cleveland, OH 44115
For the Michigan Region, we will be celebrating the Print Excellence Awards winners on Thursday, March 31, starting at 6:00 pm.
We will be hosting our reception at Detroit Beer Company in Downtown Detroit. Located on the first two floors of the historic 120-year-old Hartz Building on Broadway, the Detroit Beer Company is just steps from Comerica Park, Ford Field and the Detroit Opera House. The historic setting, combined with state-of-the-art brewing technology and 21st century finishes provides a unique dining and event experience.
You won’t want to miss which wonderful printed pieces were awarded gold, silver and bronze and which companies will take home the Best of Region designation as well as the People's Choice Award. Registration for all is is $45.
New Location This Year:
Detroit Beer Company
1529 Broadway Ste. #100
Detroit, MI 48226
