Digital E-dition October 27, 2021 ISA Officers VP Henry Van de Werken and President John Johnson Platinum Sponsors Zac Martic and Speaker Phil Doud of Altec. .2021 Illinois Sign EXPO Success! Hosted at the Tinley Park Convention Center on October 12 and 13th the association saw the largest gathering of sign industry professionals from sign shops to vendors, manufacturers, and allied trades as the industry declared it’s time to build live business connections again! Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner The dinner program began at the conclusion of afternoon Illinois Sign EXPO Happy Hour. The evening’s agenda included the Annual Meeting and Election of Officers, President John Johnson’s State and History of the Industry, a Scholarship Award presentation, the Maury Ely Award, and a special welcome from Conference Planning Committee Chair Tabitha Bowen. The main event was the presentation of the 2021 Sign Design Awards and the “Best of the Best” Evan Shaffer, Bendsen Signs receives the 1st Place award in the Illuminated Signs category. The Illinois Sign Association was founded in 1969 to elevate and promote the standards and professionalism of the custom electric sign industry in sales, manufacturing, and service.
Introducing ISA’s 2021 Industry Partners! Newly introduced in 2021, was the revamped Industry Partner Program bundles a year’s worth of sponsorship for a variety of ISA Programs and includes the Sign EXPO tabletop. Many thanks to the partners listed below. Added thanks to the EXPO Table top exhibitors Avery Dennison Indy Imaging, Inc. Matthews Paint UFB Fabrication Identity Group Indy Imaging, Inc. Metomic Corp. Yorston and Associates (left) Brandon Bender, Electro-Matic and Chad Engstrom, Optec Kathy Heider and Doug Beckman, Designs & Signs by Anderson chat with the Watchfire pros Davin Edwards, Faye Rowell and Tom Wood.. ______________
Fall Education Conference Education breakout sessions were presented during the EXPO. Crane Safety Demonstrations Phil Doud, Altec Sentry Noting the maze of written testing, practical exams, and academic study needed to gain a crane operator certification, Phil Doud offered a learning experience outlining important considerations and potential costs. The morning breakout presentation on the certification requirements was followed by a hands-on outdoor exhibit. Several participants took the challenge course as a mock practical test. Chicago Updates Commissioner Matt Beaudet We were fortunate to have Chicago Building Commissioner Matt Beaudet join us for a special session on sign permitting and the recently passed permit process changes approved by the City of Chicago. He also offered some tips for quicker permit approvals. The Commissioner’s presentation is attached with this e-dition. Commissioner Beaudet accepts the President’s Award on behalf of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot for her work in changes to the sign permitting process. Wrap Demos were featured in the learning lab portion of the expo hall on auto styling wrap presented by WENSCO. A golf cart substituted for a vehicle on the show floor! ______________
Women Leading the Industry Special Event During the Illinois Sign EXPO, a special event was hosted during the EXPO on Wednesday, October 13. The Women Leading the Industry (WLI) luncheon event featured a panel of women and attendees from the sign industry who will reflected on careers, industry trends, and the future of the business from the perspective of women in leadership. The session was moderated by Conference Chair Tabitha Bowen, All-Right Sign ISA Scholarship Program (left) Proud dad, Shaun O’Brien, Legacy Sign Group, accepts the Scholarship Award on behalf of his daughter Emma (on right) The Illinois Sign Association’s scholarship program is designed to award cash to college students. To be considered for the award, the student must be a family member of an ISA member company as an owner, manager, or employee. This year’s winner is Emma O’Brien whose father is the owner of Legacy Sign Group. Emma is a student at Purdue University and is studying accounting. She hopes to join her father’s business one day! Congrats Emma! Information on the ISA Scholarship Program is contained here Link to Scholarship Application ______________
Conference Planning Committee The success of this year’s conference lies in the outstanding efforts of the Planning committee lead by Tabitha Bowen, All-Right Sign, Inc. The committee meet regularly via ZOOM and live during a site visit earlier in the year. Advance reservations reached over 130 people which was well above the last event in Galena which had 90 guests. 22 vendors of the allied trades participated in the EXPO tabletops and outdoor exhibit area. 2021 Sign Expo and Conference Committee Tabitha Bowen, Chair Mat Bedford Brandon Bender Andrew Carby Chad Engstrom Brandy Flores Craig Gray John Johnson Zac Martin Sam Van Bruggen Henry Van De Werken Brad Werkman All-Right Sign, Inc Weitz Signs Electro-Matic Visual Prairie Signs, Inc. Optec Displays All-Right Sign, Inc Wensco C. Johnson Sign Co. Altec Industries Van Bruggen Signs, Inc. Miratec Systems Van Bruggen Signs, Inc. 2021 Conference Planning Chair, Tabitha Bowen, is presented flowers from ISA President John Johnson in appreciation of her leadership!
2021Sign Design Awards The ISA Sign Design Awards Program is a signature recognition program of Illinois Sign Association. Every year the annual industry competition showcases the “Best of the Best” of the Illinois sign Industry. The program provides recognition in seven categories for design and installation that showcase the expertise of sign companies, designers, and technicians in the state. Category winners are presented at the 2021 ISA Sign EXPO featuring the Fall Education Conference & Industry Awards Program selected by the awards committee in advance. 2021 Winners Illuminated Signage and Sign Systems Cochrane Premier Properties, Bendsen Signs & Graphics, Inc. Legacy Sign Group, Legacy Sign Group City of Bloomington, Prairies Signs, Inc. Non-Illuminated Signage White Oak Farm Venue, Legacy Sign Group Plymouth Gateway, Poblocki Sign Company, LLC Christian's Memorial Sign, Foppe Visual Communications KWK & Associates, Prairies Signs, Inc. Exposed Neon and Faux Neon Gas N Wash, Van Bruggen Signs, Inc Commercial Signage D.H. Hill Jr. Library at NCSU, Poblocki Sign Company, LLC Providence Living at Maitland, Poblocki Sign Company, LLC Gas N Wash, Van Bruggen Signs, Inc Vehicle Graphics Toasted Chicken, Van Bruggen Signs, Inc Ancho & Agave, Prairies Signs, Inc. Apache Landscaping, All-Right Sign, Inc Restored or Rehabilitated Existing Sign Princess Café, All-Right Sign, Inc Warner Theatre, Poblocki Sign Company, LLC Chicago Records, All-Right Sign, Inc Humorous Sign Whatever…Just Wash Your Hands, C. Johnson Sign Co. The next issue if the ISA Digital iMAGES e-dition will display all the winning entries 2021Sign Design Awards “Best of the Best” “Best of the Best” overall winner will be selected by ballot from all attendees at the fall conference. The Best of the Best winner receives $500 cash prize, which is generously being sponsored by ISA’s allied trade members! In addition, the winner receives a special plaque, and the sign will be prominently featured on the cover of the 2022 Member Directory! Winners of each category be presented an attractive trophy. 2nd and 3rd place winner will receive colorful certificates. Christian's Memorial Sign Designed internally for a heart broken mother that lost her son to cancer. She wanted to honor him at the bird sanctuary that they frequently visited. Foppe worked with Eliza to develop this interactive display for kids to enjoy and learn from, as well as see Christian’s name. It may be hard to tell from the photo, but each bird has its photo on one side with the description on the other. It was built for wheelchair accessibility as well. All in the family…JoAnn, Gabe and Thomas Foppe. Congratulations to Foppe Visual Communications of Highland, Il for their “Best of the Best” winning entry.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot's address to the ISA click here https://www.isa-sign.com/ President’s Award President John Johnson presented a special award to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Alderman Brendan Riley and Alderman Brian Hopkins for their collaboration in the recently enacted City Council ordinance which reduces a permitting roadblock saving up to 90 days of the approval process. The change will go into effect January 1 Alderman Brin Hopkins 2nd Ward (left) and Alderman Brendan Reilly 42nd Ward (right) receive the President’s Award from ISA Executive Director Russ Salzman for their support of the revised Chicago sign permitting ordinance.
EXPO in ACTION
News from International THE LINK...INSTALL - November 3-4, 2021 | Virtual An ISA Experience Connecting National Sign Companies & Installers The largest national sign companies in North America are seeking local install partners for immediate and long-term projects. Join ISA on either November 3 or 4 (you choose which day works best for you) for THE LINK...INSTALL, an online event designed to fuel your business. Personalized matchmaking, 1-on-1 meetings, and pre-event screening make this event THE most effective way to generate quality connections with national sign companies. No other event does more to boost your install business with many attendees receiving contracts or proposals just days after the event! Attendance is limited and this event always sells out. So don't wait, reserve your spot today at www.signs.org/install. Sign Industry Quarterly Economic Report - Q3 2021 All four sectors of the sign and graphics industry are looking slightly worse for 2021, but expected to rebound by 2022, according to the Sign Industry Quarterly Economic Report, produced by IHS Markit for the International Sign Association. The report covers the third quarter of 2021 and shows the most up to date and comprehensive analysis of data you need to know, such as U.S. consumer spending, global economic growth, and material prices. The report is free for ISA, ISA Affiliated Association and NASSD members. Non-members may purchase it for $1,000 per quarterly forecast. This research can be accessed at http://www.signs.org/quarterlyreport. Mark your calendars for next year’s event We are excited to announce that the Illinois Sign Association will host the 2022 annual event on October 11 & 12th at the Tinley Park Convention Center again … LIVE and in person. Dozens of suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers will be on display at the table top tradeshow with timely, informative breakout learning experiences and outdoor demonstrations. The Annual Meeting and Industry Awards Dinner will feature presentations and connections with the state’s leading sign companies and allied trades on Tuesday evening October 11, 2022. In addition to the annual meeting, the election of officers and the sign design awards will be presented including the best of the best voting. The scholarship awards and the Maury Ely award for outstanding leadership and service will be part of the program. The event is produced by the Illinois Sign Association and sponsored by the allied trades showcasing the region’s best suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and services. Members are reminded to Invite colleagues and installers, designers, and managers to take part in the event. The tradeshow and education experiences will be free to industry members thanks to generous sponsorship of our allied trade members 2021 ISA Board of Directors President Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Past President Directors: JOHN C. JOHNSON JASON TOMPKINS BRANDON BENDER TABITHA BOWEN BARRY COX CHAD ENGSTROM KEVIN LASKA ZAC MARTIN MIKE WEITZ SARA WERKMAN C. Johnson Sign Co HENRY VAN DE WERKEN Miratec Systems ANDREW CARBY Prairie Signs, Inc. Bendsen Signs & Graphics, Inc. Electro-Matic Products, Inc. All-Right Sign, Inc. Turnroth Sign Optec Displays, Inc. North Shore Sign Altec Industries, Inc. Weitz Sign Company Van Bruggen Signs, Inc. Membership is open to all sign companies in the state of Illinois and related trade service businesses in the sign industry. Click here for membership application and more information. ISA Membership Application Membership in the ISA
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