Once again, Cinda Baxter of Details, Ink (Minneapolis) is proud to be one of only seven Blue Ribbon Panel Judges for the 2004 Louie Awards. Rewarding original design in the greeting card and invitation publishing industries, this international competition is the only one of its kind. Past winners have included companies that now lead their respective industries and are seen today as major trend setters. Judges come from two sources—as volunteers from industry leadership and as invited industry experts, which is how Ms. Baxter first came to Louie judging in the 2003 competition.

“The Louies are an enormous part of the stationery industry,” says Baxter. “One of the most prominent areas of the National Stationery Show in New York each spring is dedicated to the thousands of original design entries and the unveiling of the category and overall winners. There isn’t a savvy store owner or publisher that doesn’t make a point of examining the winning entries. This is where trends are born.”

Judging will occur on Thursday and Friday (January 26-27, 2005) for more than twenty categories. The following day (Saturday, January 28, 2005), the elite group of seven Blue Ribbon judges will gather in private to hone the entire list of category winners to a mere three overall winners—with only one entry deemed worthy of the title “Card of the Year,” placing it above thousands of competing designs that come from countries all over the globe. To a vendor, this honor is a major accomplishment indeed.

The Louie Awards Gala will be held in New York City during the National Stationery Show this May.

Established in 1994, Details Ink holds the distinction of being the most experienced Professional Stationer in Minneapolis. Still under original ownership—the only store in the inner Minneapolis metro that remains so—Details has earned its reputation as a retailer committed to the customer, first and foremost. As a member of the National Stationery Show Advisory Board for three years, a Louie Award Judge for two years, the winner of the coveted national Retailer Excellence Award two years, and the founder of Brilliant Ink, this local retailer retains its position of leadership in selection, service and experience.