Apr. 4, 2005—This year’s Luminarie Awards, held March 24 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, began with a cocktail reception, held in the Terrace Suite, which was abuzz with the news that the Plaza Hotel is closing, to be converted into condos.

Once the crowd moved into the dining room, Rosemary Sirico, president of Partnership in Print Production (P3), announced that next year the event will be held across the street at the Pierre. She highlighted the mission of the P3 organization, and its accomplishments over the past year. The association now has more than 450 active members, “exceptional people, with exceptional companies, are all working together,” she said.

After dinner, Ms. Sirico kicked off the awards portion of the evening by saying: “The dictionary defines the luminary as an individual who is thoughtful, intelligent, enlightened, and inspiring. A luminary is an achiever, a personality, a very important person, a role model, a celebrity, and a star.” She praised the evening’s recipients for their achievements and dedication to the industry.

Ms. Sirico highlighted that for the past 18 years, proceeds from the Luminarie event have funded scholarships for students to “fulfill their academic and career goals in design, graphic arts, publishing, and new media.”

The platinum and gold sponsors were then read; platinum sponsors included Condé Nast/Advance Magazine Group, Pictorial Offset, Estée Lauder Cos., and Continental Web Press; gold sponsors were Schawk, TanaSeybert, R.R. Donnelley, and Quebecor World.

The ceremony was then turned over to David Luke, former president of P3, who introduced the first recipient of the evening, George Barsa, vice president of corporate purchasing for Estée Lauder Cos.

Mr. Barsa has held positions at such companies as Shulton Inc., E.A. Korchnoy Advertising, and GAF Corp. He holds a business administration degree from Wagner College and studied print production at the School of Visual Arts.

Mr. Luke also pointed out that Mr. Barsa did not take the usual path. “For those of you who are curious as to how he got started, it was not in prepress, it was not at a small printing house; George got his training as a mortician.”

Mr. Barsa took the podium, joking that since the crowd had just eaten dinner, he would withhold details of his days as a mortician. He noted that he had been considering retirement, but given the warm welcome and the kind words of his staff and industry friends, he thought he would stick around for a few more years.

He highlighted the more than 25 years he has spent at Estée Lauder, saying that it is a “great family, and the greatest place to work.” He praised and gave credit to his staff, saying, “The department I have is just made up of the greatest people. They are each hardworking individuals who are very honest and very loyal.”

Ms. Sirico took the podium again to introduce the next recipient—Ken Field, president and CEO of Continental Web Press. Mr. Field founded the company in 1973. With his wife Diane, they employ more than 300 people in two facilities.

“Ken has all the qualities that make a Luminaire,” said Ms. Sirico. She then read comments from long-time customers praising his work and his company, as well as his business ethic. “Everyone that knows Ken describes him as a leader who is kind and generous. Ken always maintains a positive outlook and he looks to find the good side in [everyone].”

Mr. Field talked about his first job in print, at 16 years old, and how that began shaping his future. He also spoke about his time in Vietnam, and how he would write to his wife, Diane, and outline the plan for the business he would own.

Getting Ahead
Diane Pesce, first vice president of P3, introduced the third Luminaire of the evening, Kevin Hickey. Mr. Hickey is senior vice president of manufacturing and distribution for Condé Nast Publications, a position he has held since 1996. He is responsible for manufacturing all of the company’s titles.

“Kevin is…dedicated. With his long hours, his spirit, and his personal touch, he inspires [people] to do their best,” said Ms. Pesce. “I didn’t know then that I was being given the opportunity of a lifetime, that I was to work with a living legend in the industry,” he said of his move to Condé Nast in 1980 and his tutelage under Irving Herschbein, who was one of the first Luminaire winners in 1988. He offered advice to anyone looking to move up the corporate ladder: “Be committed to whatever you do. Know there are no shortcuts to success. Be ambitious. Take the initiative. Don’t be a follower. Only set goals, and not only set goals, but deliver them.”

Valerie Merone, vice president of publishing for Victoria’s Secret Direct, was the fourth recipient of the night. She joined the firm in 2001, and is responsible for all catalog operations.

Introduced by Janet Cole, P3 secretary, Ms. Merone spoke about technology, and how it has changed our industry. She also highlighted that without the people in our lives, and specifically the team she works with, not as much would be possible.

“George Carlin wrote, ‘Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind’—powerful words from a comedian,” said Ms. Merone.

Passion for Production
The final recipient of the evening was Karen Palmieri, vice president of manufacturing and distribution, VNU Business Publications USA.

Introduced by Jennifer Bergen, second vice president, P3, Ms. Palmieri spoke about the industry, and how passion is needed to both sustain and grow it. “Let’s be sure that we all continue to pass the baton,” she said, talking about the need to pass passion down to those who are new to the industry, new to their position, or even just colleagues.

“I love this industry,” she said. “Along with professional rewards, it has brought me great friendships.”

The Luminaire Awards dinner was a great success, as evidenced by a crowded room, and jubilant attendees. Mr. Luke joked in opening remarks that the timing of moving the event to the Pierre next year was actually good. “Who would have ever thought we would outgrow the Plaza?” he mused.

At press time, additional details regarding the renovations at The Plaza were few. Tom Civitano, The Plaza’s executive vice president of marketing, told Printing News that the hotel would be closed for up to two years, at which time it will reopen with a mix of hotel, condominium, and retail space.