AlphaGraphics Inc.’s Wilmington Manager Kari-Ann Smith has been recognized with the Vital Connection award for excellence in performance, according to a news release.

The award was presented to Smith at the company’s annual conference in Texas. Officials said the award goes to top business center employees in the firm’s global network, as nominated by their center owners for developing strong working relationships with customers that help grow the business as well as other notable assets to the firm’s business.

Officials said Smith’s contribution to creating a collaborative work environment has had a significant impact on the Wilmington location of AlphaGraphics, which specializes in print, design and marketing solutions.

Smith strives to make sure “her team is continually equipped to exceed clients’ needs and she has been instrumental in growing the center’s client base," according to the release.

“From day one, as soon as Kari would meet someone new, she would tell them where she worked and ask for their business,” said AlphaGraphics Wilmington owner Rick Stinson, in the release. “Our team has grown from four staff members to nine, since she joined us, with her support, we’ve orchestrated the move to a new location and diversified our service portfolio faster than I could have ever foreseen.”