The Book Manufacturers’ Institute (BMI – Bradenton, Florida) is now accepting nominations for its Rising Star Award which recognizes book industry professionals who are making a positive impact on their companies, in their communities, and on the industry. Nominations will be accepted through Friday March 24, 2023, at 5 pm EST (Eastern Standard Time). The Award will be presented at the BMI Spring Management Conference in Louisville, Kentucky April 30 – May 2, 2023.
The inaugural class of finalist honourees were celebrated at the 2019 BMI Spring Management Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. Clark Matthews of Independent Publishers Group was the recipient of the first-ever Rising Star Award. The 2020 Rising Star Award was given to Cara Lahey of Publishers’ Graphics. There was no award issued in 2021 due to the pandemic. The 2022 winner was Jonathan Conant of Lakeside Book Company.
This honour was conceived to “spotlight up-and-coming, worthy colleagues from companies in the printing, binding, and manufacturing sector – a vital segment of the book publishing supply chain,” said Matt Baehr, Executive Director of BMI. “We are thrilled to honour and commemorate the accomplishments of the upcoming generation of leaders. The Spring Management Conference in Louisville is the perfect setting for celebrating our up-and-coming professionals.”
The selection criteria include:
• Sustained excellent job performance
• Contributions to their company, community, and/or industry
• Continued training/education/learning within the industry
• Demonstrate exemplary customer service, community service, and/or industry service
• Age 39 years or younger as of March 24, 2023 (the end of the nomination period)
• Employed in BMI’s network of member companies