May 20, 2025 — The Great Lakes Graphics Association (GLGA) is looking forward to two special nights honoring the winners of the Graphics Excellence and the Excellence in Leadership Awards at their 2025 Excellence Awards Celebrations.
Previously called the GEAs Celebrations, the ceremonies were the culmination of the annual Graphics Excellence Awards competition, which recognizes companies throughout Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin for superb craftsmanship in the design, creation and production of outstanding printed projects they produce for their customers. In 2024, the Celebrations were revamped with a new brand name and new format to be more inclusive of the addition of the association’s individual awards for excellence in the industry.
Again this year there will be two award ceremonies on separate nights so that more members throughout GLGA’s three-state region can attend. On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Celebration returns to its long-time Wisconsin home at the Wisconsin Club in downtown Milwaukee. Then, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, a second Celebration will be held in Illinois at a new location, White Pines Golf Club and Banquets in Bensenville, Illinois.
Following the success of the Women in Print Excellence Awards, GLGA has launched an expanded individual achievement awards program. The Excellence in Leadership Awards recognize those in the industry who exemplify outstanding character, drive company growth, bring teams together and create the environment to help companies succeed:
This year, GLGA will recognize an exceptional professional who impacted the industry in a significant way by awarding them with a Living Legend Award.
Now in its fifth year, the Women in Print Excellence Award supports GLGA’s ongoing quest to recognize the contributions of women in the Midwest print, graphic arts, finishing and print packaging community.
And, several new awards will be presented for the first time in 2025 to honor those who currently work in a variety of functions throughout the printing industry:
- Owner/Executive of the Year
- Sales/Marketing Professional of the Year
- Customer Service Representative of the Year
- Creative Professional of the Year
- Production Professional of the Year
- Financial Professional of the Year
- Emerging Leader of the Year
On both nights, the Celebrations start at 4:30 p.m. with a networking reception and a dinner. All of the award-winning projects from more than 100 GEAs categories will be on display for attendees to examine and to choose their favorite in the voting for that night’s People’s Choice award.
The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m., first by honoring the recipients and nominees of the Excellence in Leadership Awards. They will be followed by the presentation of the GEAs category and division winners. We’re building up to the announcement of the year’s top GEAs awards: Best of Show and Runner-Ups, Best of States, and People’s Choice winners.
The 2025 GEAs competition was judged over two days in March with a panel of outside graphics experts who brought almost 100 years of collective print, finishing and converting experience to their evaluation of the contenders. There was a wide range of excellent entries including posters and calendars, books and catalogs, labels and tags, wide format, and packaging.
Nominations for the Excellence in Leadership Awards were accepted in April and May of this year. A panel of print professionals from outside the Midwest selected the recipients.
“We are extremely proud to represent such outstanding print organizations and individuals,” Lyman said.
