TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Month's SBI Trivia Question Stumper:
At next month's ISA International Sign Expo in Las Vegas, what is the expected number of attendees and exhibitors?
For the answer, scroll to the bottom of the newsletter.
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Industry News
[[HOT TOPIC]] ISA International Sign Expo in Vegas!
Welcome to the largest sign show in the world.
The ISA International Sign Expo is the premier trade show serving the sign industry. Sign suppliers and distributors exhibit sign industry products, services and technologies to a vast audience of sign manufacturers. The annual event, which alternates between Orlando, Florida., and Las Vegas, Nevada, ranks on Tradeshow Week magazine's prestigious top 200 list as the 125th largest trade show in the U.S.
Learning opportunities abound, with educational programs focusing on topics such as graphic design, sign code legislation, business management, sales, marketing and technology. Since the show's debut in 1947, the ISA International Sign Expo has been breaking records in exhibit sales and attendance. In addition to growing in size, the show's global reach has also expanded throughout the years. Approximately 20% of exhibitors and 17% of attendees travel from outside of the U.S. to the show, a percentage that is growing each year.
The enormous popularity of the International Sign Expo mirrors the growth the sign industry itself has experienced over the last 60 years. The advent of digital print imaging has largely contributed to this expansion of the sign industry, which continues to grow through advancements and innovations in digital technology.
Need more reasons to attend? Create a justification report to show your boss exactly why attending the International Sign Expo will page huge dividends for your company.
Register today! Online registrants will be entered to win fantastic prizes, including an iPod and a Nintendo Wii.
Travel Reservations
Registration is on the rise, with hotels and flights selling out fast.
Make your reservations today!
Exhibit Hall
View Exhibitor Directory
View Floor Plan
Education
ISA is here to help you and your company learn, discover and experience cutting-edge technologies. ISA's Discovery Seminar Series is offering 38 seminars, focusing on topics to help your business succeed in today's competitive marketplace. This year, ISA is also including seven digitally-focused seminars and interactive discussion forums focusing on conducting international business, women in the sign industry and the next generation of sign industry leaders.
Discussion Forums:
International Business Discussion Forum
April 11, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Women Mentoring Women: The Changing Face of the Sign Industry
April 12, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
The Next Generation of Sign Company Professionals - Let's Talk About It
April 13, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Education At-a-Glance:
View an at-a-glance schedule of all ISA's educational sessions.
MySignEXPO on www.signexpo.org
Plan your entire experience online before the show. Register for the show and you will receive access to the virtual show planner, "MySignEXPO," which will help you choose which seminars, exhibitors and special events you should attend, complete with a personalized walking map of the convention center.
MySignEXPO is a free service for registered attendees, who simply build an online profile by answering a series of questions pertaining to the types of equipment, materials, workshops, people and events of interest. Sign up early to maximize your experience at the largest sign show in the world.
If you have not yet registered for the show, but would like to learn more about the benefits of using MySignEXPO, sign up here. Click here to register for the show today!
NEC Digital Signage Helps Improve Public Safety
NEC Unified Solutions, Inc., a provider of VoIP and data communications, today announced that it is helping to improve public safety and business continuity for State, Local and Federal government organizations with its Emergency Notification offering. Using NEC's Emergency Notification capabilities, government organizations can more effectively keep citizens and staff completely informed of critical information, policies and procedures during crisis situations including natural disasters, citizen unrest and terrorist activities.
According to a report by Business Wire
, NEC's Emergency Notification System uniquely integrates with NEC's Digital Signage. At the heart of this solution, the BlueFire VC Digital Signage Controller automatically picks up an alert when it is released and broadcasts it to display systems such as NEC's large Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) and Plasma Display Panels (PDPs). As the first notification system with integrated digital signage capabilities, it not only significantly expands the reach of the emergency notification to all areas of a municipality, but also provides video-enhanced capabilities to attract the attention of people without a cell phone, telephone or email access. For instance, with NEC's Emergency
Notification system, a weather alert message can be displayed prominently citywide, while concurrently broadcasting a live-video feed of the local weather radar.
"Government organizations at every level face the challenge of ensuring that citizens and staff are completely informed in the event of any emergency," said Doug Martinez, director, Government Accounts at NEC Unified Solutions. "We're committed to helping our customers empower their constituencies and improve public safety with faster access to information and more rapid connection to law enforcement, safety and environmental agencies."
State Bills Promote Use of Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
On March 14, Phillips Electronics became the first major North American producer of incandescent light bulbs to call for their phase-out by 2016. The announcement follows the recent introduction of legislation in California (AB722), Connecticut (SB1432), North Carolina (HB838), and Rhode Island (SB806) to ban the sale of incandescent bulbs, which use more energy than existing energy-efficient lights. Last month, Australia announced it will begin to phase out incandescent light bulbs by 2010.
Another California bill, AB1109, introduced by NCEL participant Assemblyman Jared Huffman would require the state to set strict energy and lighting efficiency standards for bulbs while also reducing the amount of hazardous materials, such as mercury, used in energy efficient light bulbs.
Phillips is leading the Lighting Efficiency Coalition -- comprised of the Alliance to Save Energy, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Californians Against Waste, Natural Resources Defense Council and Earth Day Network - calling for support of public policies to phase-out the inefficient lamps. The Phillips' press release says public policy measures could include green procurement, environmental performance targets, and financial incentives to secure participation from the leading manufacturers. Incandescent lights would be replaced by compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), energy-saving halogen lamps, and by light emitting diode (LED) lamps.
Other states are targeting the incandescent bulbs financially. Minnesota legislation, SF1442, would place a 25 cent tax on each incandescent bulb sold. Connecticut's bill also includes a 10 cent "surcharge" on any incandescent lamp.
A few states, such as Arkansas, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Texas are considering legislation this year to require or encourage state agencies to replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs in state buildings.
Connecticut to Use Digital Billboards for Amber Alerts
Although digital billboards have come under fire in some areas of the country for safety and light pollution issues, among others, at least one state is making the most of the high-tech signs.
The Outdoor Advertising Association of Connecticut has signed an agreement with Connecticut State Police that will allow authorities to use the high-tech signs in the event of a child abduction, according to the Hartford Courant.
The association has agreed to broadcast the alerts in such an event at not cost to the state. The alert will be shown continuously for three hours. After that, the alert will be incorporated into the signs regular rotation schedule, which shows a different ad every eight seconds. Paul Macari, of Lamar Advertising, said on behalf of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Connecticut that the group appreciated being part of the Amber Alert network.
There are currently five digital billboards in Connecticut.
New Appointments
Adams Magnetic Products Co. has named Adrianne Joyner as tradeshow coordinator for the company's national operations including flexible magnets, magnet assemblies and devices, ferrite cores, and other magnetic materials.
The Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) is pleased to announce that Pat Matson Knapp is joining the organization as editor of their color magazine, segdDESIGN.
Ultraflex Systems, Inc., manufacturer and worldwide distributor of diverse options of digital solvent, UV and screen printing substrates, is proud to announce the promotion of Jaime Giannantonio to marketing manager.
Meetings and Events
MARCH
March 29 - 30: SGIA Workshop -- Vehicle Wraps
www.sgia.org/events/workshops.cfmSGIA Digital Lab, Fairfax, Virginia.
APRIL
April 12 - 14: ISA International Sign Expo 2007. Las Vegas, Nevada. For additional details, call 703/836-4012 or log on to www.signexpo.com
April 24: New England Sign Expo, hosted by the Massachusetts Sign Association, at the Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, Massachusetts. For information, call 978/534-0587 or go to www.masssignassn.com/index.
MAY
May 8 - 10: Lightfair International 2007, at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center, New York, New York. For more information, call 888/886-7931 or go to www.lightfair.com/lightfair/V40.
May 30 - June 2: The Society for Environmental Graphic Design's 2007 SEGD Annual Conference & Expo. World Trade Center in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information, call 202/638-5555 or visit www.segd.org/conference.html.
Sponsored Links
M2 Lighting Solutions, LLC -- NEW epoxy-encapsulated UL recognized LED channel letter lighting system that will stay bright even in your most challenging conditions.
www.M2Lighting.com
Elliott Equipment Corporation -- Elliott Equipment Corporation -- Award-winning HiReach & BoomTruck aerial-workplatforms and cranes. Elliott products increase your productivity, and give you the highest ROI available. Do more with Elliott.
www.elliottequip.com
This Month's Trivia Answer:
22,000 attendees and more than 1,800 exhibitor booths.
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For in-depth coverage of these topics and other sign industry topics, check out
www.signshop.com
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS and SUBSCRIBERS:
Coming up in the April 2007 ISA International Sign Expo issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Acrylic Fabrication
Digital Printing Hardware
Dimensional Sign Blanks
LED Channel Letters and Sign Cabinets
LED Displays
Dimensional Paints
Panel Saws
Large Format Vinyl
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS and SUBSCRIBERS:
Coming up in the May 2007 Lilghtfair show issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Awning Fabrication
Dimensional Engraved Signage
LED Architectural Lighting
Magnet Applications
Vehicle Graphics Software
Contact your ad sales representative to reserve your space today.
As we shape SBI Update into the premier
e-newsletter for the sign industry, we encourage our readers to send us feedback on what you like, what you'd like to see, and any other comments you might have. To do so, send an e-mail to Managing Editor Chris Ytuarte at cytuarte@sbpub.com.
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ISA Booth #3960
ATG Electronics, Inc.A Leading LED Signage Products manufacturer! Product range: LED standard flex strip, SMD flex strip, ribbon flex strip, 3LEDs, 4LEDs & 6LEDs waterproof modules. Color range: red, yellow, blue, green, white, pink, purple, amber, jade, RGB.
Toll Free: 800-495-8630.
Email: sales@atgelectronics.com www.atgelectronics.com
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ISA Booth #5027
Tetra Ultra LED System
Improves Light OutputWith 88% more brightness than traditional white LEDs, Tetra Ultra LED Lighting System features a rugged, flexible, low-voltage design that simplifies installation and reduces maintenance hassles. Designed to fit medium size channel letters, it provides outstanding light and color uniformity that offers sign OEMs a perfect match of affordability and performance. For more info, visit:
GE Lumination
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ITSENCLOSURES provides the toughest, most durable, electronic, computer and network enclosure solutions available today. Our mission is to safely enclose electronic devices in any environment, protecting them from harsh surroundings, extending their useful life, and protecting our customer's processes from costly downtime. For more info, click on:
ITSENCLOSURES
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ISA Booth #2818
Steel Art Company
"Exclusively to the Sign Trade.."
Letters and Logo's Waterjet cut or Channel Style. All metals. Standard and Custom Finishing. LED's, Raster Braille in Metal, Etching. Most solid cut ship in 10 days, most Channel in 15.
....at the start..consider the finish..STEEL ART COMPANY
www.steelartco.com | |
ISA Booth #3570Save 20% - ISA Show Special!
The MBX Vinyl Zapper quickly strips vinyl lettering, graphics, and reflective tape with minimal adhesive residue.
* No damage to paint or substrate
* Use on metal, glass & fiberglass
* Cuts labor by more than 70%
For more information, click on:
www.mbxit.com
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ISA Booth #5366See the new Océ
Arizona 250 GT, winner of the 2006 DPI Vision Award, at ISA booth #5366. This UV flatbed printer delivers astounding image quality and ink economy while easily tackling difficult applications like backlit graphics and customer shapes. For more information and a FREE exhibit pass, click on:
Océ
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High-quality custom signs are easy to make with a PlasmaCAM CNC cutting table. Cut metal, wood, or plastics with high precision for all sign building applications. Get a free video of this high performance machine on our Web site by clicking on:
PlasmaCAM
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ISA Booth #1006Mimaki USA has stood at the forefront of technology with its large-format plotters and cutters. Headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia with branch offices in Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles, key strengths include large-scale printing and cutting solutions, smaller, affordable plotters, and breakthroughs in printing for UV curable ink jet systems. For more info, click on:
Mimaki USA
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ISA Booth #2521AI Innovations is a wholesale only manufacturer of Awnings, Channel Letters, Sign Cabinets, and Decorated Faces. Custom fabrication and intelligent design are utilized to achieve high quality and service in the industry. Competitive pricing, fast quotes and flexible delivery options are available from multiple manufacturing facilities. Come see us at the International Sign Expo, Las Vegas 2007 Booth #2521. For more information, click on:
AI Innovations
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Being an approved wholesale partner with Signs By Tomorrow, you can expand your product mix without the expense of additional machinery. We offer grand format roll-to-roll printing up to 16' wide, Scotchprint printing, and production flatbed printing at wholesale prices. To visit Web site, click on:
Signs By Tomorrow
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ISA Booth #1819
Sign Builder Illustrated
Buyer's Guide 2007
Published twice per year in March and September, the Buyer's Guide lists manufacturers, distributors, and sign companies that comprise the industry in the U.S. and Canada. Be sure to stop by ISA Booth #1819 to pick up a free copy of the Buyer's Guide. | |
ISA Booth #1819
Sign Builder Illustrated
Goes DigitalWith live hyperlinks to video clips, advertiser information, and other features, SBI Digital offers the newest online technology with the familiar layout of a hardcopy issue. To view an example, click on:
SBI Digital Magazine
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ISA Booth #1819
Sign Builder Illustrated:
The How-To Book Vol. 1Learn secrets to fabricating neon, illuminating with LED, sandblasting signs, applying paints, cutting and printing vinyl, and more in this 288-page, full-color reprinting of Sign Builder Illustrated's trademark How-To articles. To visit the How-to Book Web site, click on:
SBI How-To Book
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NEC Signs Keep Public Safe