Vol. 3, No. 3 | October 17, 2007
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Industry News [[HOT TOPIC]] SGIA '07 in Orlando!  Some numbers to ponder for next week's SGIA '07 Conference and Expo in Orlando: 573 exhibiting companies in 2,435 booths spread over 243,500 square feet with expected attendance by 19,000 sign professionals. And according to the SGIA's resident mermaid, that projected attendance figure is double the current population of Atlantis. (Then again, she drinks a lot of sea water, so who knows if her numbers are reliable.) Regardless, you don't have to be a mathematician or a mythical underwater temptress of sailors to realize that this is going to be a BIG show. And it's not only about quantity, it's about quality as well. In addition to the 573 exhibiting companies, SGIA '07 attendees will be privy to several brand new products being unveiled for the first time to consumers. Roland DGA is introducing its 74-inch Advanced Jet SolJet Pro III XJ, and GandInnovations will show off its Jeti 3148X2 UV True Flatbed and its Jeti 1224 UV Flatbed. The "green" movement also continues with new, environmentally friendly textile products from 3P Inkjet and PVC from Ultraflex. While the show floor is abuzz with new technology, there will also be great opportunities for show attendees to learn a thing or two through any or all of the 54 educational sessions scheduled. Spanning six tracks (including business management, digital graphics, production development, and screen graphics), there will also be two SGIA Future Forums and three free starter sessions. To view a full list of the educational sessions scheduled for SGIA '07, click here: SGIA '07 Educational Sessions As always, SBI Update would like to recommend a few educational seminars that we think could benefit our readers: Wed Oct. 24, 9:30 - 10:15 a.m.: "Introduction to Digital Imaging" A free session to get you primed on the theme of the week. Thurs Oct. 25, 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.: "Carving Out Your Piece of the Pie: How to Permanently Differentiate Yourself, Establish Value, and Develop Client Loyalty in a Commodity Driven Market" As we here at SBI Update know fully well, there's no better path to success than to differentiate yourself from the competition. Fri Oct. 26, 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.: "Cohabitation and the Future of Digital and Screen Graphics Printing" Next on Oprah: Cats and dogs, living together in bliss. SGIA staff will be haunting booth #1700 next week, and they encourage attendees to stop by, grab a cup of coffee, and catch up on what's new. And if you happen to be touring the hall with colleagues who aren't SGIA members yet, bring them to the booth to sign up for 15 months of membership for the cost of 12 when they become a Corporate member (and there's a great gift for everyone who recommends a colleague!). So slap on those scuba fins and get yourself down to Orlando! (And if you haven't already registered, click on the mermaid above.) Vista System's Piracy Lawsuit Yields Success. Vista System International, a manufacturer of Modular Curved Frame Technology (MCFT) with U.S. based operations in Sarasota, Florida, recently reached a settlement of a lawsuit filed against its former Canadian distributor who it believed copied its sign system. As a result, the distributor agreed to cease to use any of Vista System's marketing materials and brand names and not to sell any of Vista's designs whatsoever as of September 29, 2007. Vista System filed a lawsuit last March against its Canadian distributor, The Gryph Group, which it believed had copied its system and had manufactured almost exact replicas of its extrusions and end caps and passed them off as an original Vista System brand product. The defendant was also believed to have been using original Vista System printed literature, proprietary software, and images to support its products. According to a press release issue by Vista System, The Gryph Group has agreed to settle the lawsuit and not violate Vista's rights. The minutes of settlement that were agreed to by Vista System and The Gryph Group state, amongst other things, that The Gryph Group shall immediately stop using the name Vista, and similar names, colors and logos to those of Vista System. The Gryph Group is also to destroy any Vista System marketing materials in its possession and to modify its extrusions so as to distinguish its products from Vista's products. "Product piracy is a severe problem for the signage and other industries," said Roger Schneider, Vista System's vice president. "Trademarks, patents, copyrights and other commercial and design rights are systematically breached on a daily basis. Worldwide, this trend has a dangerous impact on the sign industry. It discourages future innovations and has reached such an extreme in some countries where the signage industry has become tainted with cheap copies of quality brands. I hope that our action against and settlement with The Gryph Group will discourage piracy in the field, and encourage victims of piracy to take legal action. Vista will not hesitate in the future to take prompt and effective actions to assure that Vista's proprietary rights are protected and that products sold under the name Vista are of the best and finest quality." Timberland Billboards Go Green Timberland Co., the Stratham, New Hampshire boot and apparel company, is putting its foot forward in a big way as it walks into the "green" forest of environmentally friendly advertising. Beginning next week, Timberland will sell its new Earthkeepers collection, which includes boots made with organic canvas, recycled rubber outsoles, and recycled linings. To promote this new Earth-conscious line of footwear, an equally Earth-friendly marketing scheme will offer billboards that will be made into tote bags after the ad campaign runs its course, and all printed promotional materials will be recycled. "Environmental stewardship is part of our brand DNA," Carol Yang, Timberland's vice president of global marketing, told the Boston Globe. Carmanah Technologies Lights Up the Big Apple Carmanah Technologies Corporation, headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, has received an initial $285,000 order for LED internally illuminated street name signs for a high profile sign replacement project in midtown Manhattan, New York. Carmanah's signs, which use 90% less energy than traditional lighting, are being deployed at intersections in two of the largest business improvement districts in New York City. The signs will be installed around famous Midtown Manhattan landmarks, including the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, the Chrysler Building and Madison Square Garden. Carmanah's energy efficient LED sign technology was chosen after years of research and extensive field-testing of several options for illuminated street name signs. Sign functionality and performance, as well as Carmanah's reputation for high quality and excellent customer service were key factors in the selection process. Carmanah worked closely with the business improvement districts to develop a customized sign solution that met performance specifications and also fit within the design scheme for New York's street name signage. "While Carmanah street name signs are normally supplied to cities, counties and DOTs, business improvement districts across North America are now looking to this technology to improve district streetscapes while enhancing driver and pedestrian safety," said Carmanah CEO Art Aylesworth. "We are very pleased to be selected as the supplier for New York's sign enhancement project; it's an ideal showcase for our sign technology."
New Appointments
Direct Sign Wholesale, a manufacturer and wholesaler of channel letter signage, announced the hiring of Jonny Moore as Vice President of Operations. Nippon Carbide Industries (USA) Inc., manufacturer of Nikkalite Brand Reflective Sign, Decal, Banner, and Barricade Sheeting, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. S. Sakurai, as President of NCI North America, South America, and Canada Operations.
Meetings and Events
OCTOBER October 21 - 23: WrapQuest 07, a mini-tradeshow for all vinyl installers, will be hosted by the PDAA (Professional Decal Application Association) and held at Image Graphics, Inc., in Pompano Beach, Florida. For more information or to download a registration form, visit www.pdaa.com/wrap_quest.htm. October 24 - 27: SGIA '07 is scheduled to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. For additional details, log on to www.sgia.org/SGIA07.
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Vista System's Piracy Lawsuit
