The industry’s social calendar will mark a long-overdue return to normal on November 17 with the celebration of the 68th Annual Franklin Event.
The event, a festive salute to the industry and its leading lights, had to be postponed last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, with indoor gatherings now possible to conduct safely, the program is ready to satisfy the pent-up demand for in-person socializing that the industry in the metro area has been obliged to put on hold for far too long.
The venue is the 101 Club, an elegant space located at 101 Park Avenue (at 40th Street) in Manhattan. The host is Printing Industries Alliance, the trade association for New York State, Northern New Jersey and Northwestern Pennsylvania. Proceeds will benefit the Print Drives America Foundation, an advocacy campaign that promotes the use of print.
For a good deal of its 69-year history, the Franklin Event spotlighted prominent honorees on the national stage who weren’t necessarily tied to the printing industry (although industry leaders also were recognized). In recent years, however, the emphasis has shifted entirely to print and graphic communications, with tributes reserved for those who have done the most to advance print both as a communications medium and as a business enterprise.
To be hailed for their singular achievements this year with the Print Drives America Franklin Award for Distinguished Service are Michael Duggal, CEO of Duggal Visual Solutions; and Thomas J. Quinlan, former CEO of LSC Communications and RR Donnelley & Sons.
Duggal heads one of the industry’s most fully capable providers of visual imaging solutions. As an early adopter of advanced printing technologies, the New York City-based company has produced high-end work for museums, galleries, retail environments, and many other customers around the world. Last year, Duggal and his team made headlines by turning the company into a major manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE) for first responders and others in the metro area.
Thomas Quinlan has a long and distinguished record of executive leadership with some of the industry’s best-known firms. Besides his stints with LSC Communications and RR Donnelley, he has held senior management positions with Moore Wallace and World Color Press.
The presentation of Franklin Awards to Duggal and Quinlan will be the ceremonial high point of a party that begins at 6 p.m. and concludes with an on-site after-party to which all attendees will be invited. The cover charge – $6,500 for a sponsored table of eight, $3,500 for a table of four, and individual seats for $350 – includes cocktails, a sit-down dinner, and music provided by Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Besides its convivial aspect, the annual Franklin Event has always been associated with industry advancement, which it has supported by contributing its profits to scholarship funds, foundations, and other causes that benefit printers and their employees. This year, proceeds will be earmarked solely for Print Drives America, an initiative that aims at giving print a higher profile among the media by highlighting its effectiveness and ROI.
Companies and individuals wishing to help the cause can do so by purchasing sponsorships, which aren’t limited to tables. Details about sponsorship opportunities are available from Kim Tuzzo, Printing Industries Alliance, 716-691-3211, or ktuzzo@PIAlliance.org. Marty Maloney, executive vice president of Printing Industries Alliance and executive director of the Print Drives America Foundation, also has information. Contact him at 203-912-0804, m.maloney@bmcorp.com, or mmaloney@pialliance.org.
