TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Month’s SBI Trivia Question Stumper:
The concept behind neon signs was first conceived in 1675, when French astronomer Jean Picard observed a faint glow in a mercury barometer tube. But, Picard is more famously known for what?
For the answer, scroll to the bottom of the newsletter.
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Industry News
[[HOT TOPIC]] Serving on a Sign Ordinance Committee [PART III]
In a final installment, the USSC (United States Sign Council) drops in to inform SBI Update readers on the importance of being involved in the governing of our sign community. Below is the concluding Part III of a special report on best practices for sign ordinance committee participation:
Do Your Homework, Become the Expert
There is no substitute for knowledge. It is what separates the informed from the non-informed, the literate from the illiterate, the professional from the amateur, and finally, the expert from the casual observer or dilettante. If you are to positively impact the committee, it is imperative that you distinguish yourself through your mastery of knowledge of the subject under consideration, namely signs in the roadside environment. It is this knowledge that can enable you to take command of the process, and to make a contribution that can have a truly positive result for both your business and the sign industry in general.
Under normal circumstances, acquisition of this knowledge can be a daunting task, and, in fact, contemporary experts in sign related issues have spent years of research and practical experience in acquiring their knowledge. Fortunately, USSC now makes it easy for you to become as knowledgeable as these experts in the most important areas involving sign control, and certainly, far more knowledgeable than other members of a typical sign ordinance committee.
To prepare yourself as a knowledgeable expert, you must, of course, be willing to read, observe, and learn, and then be able to pass your knowledge on to the committee. USSC, through its research programs and consultation services, offers you a veritable treasure trove of material to help you achieve this objective. Members receive copies of this material in their membership packets, and in their resource folios. It includes all the relevant USSC legibility studies for both freestanding and parallel signs, the USSC study on sign height, the USSC studies concerning sign lighting, and the USSC studies on traffic safety, on-premise sign marketing, and electronic sign issues. It also includes the USSC Guideline Sign Code for Municipalities, and the critically important USSC Best Practices Standards for On-Premise Signs.
Although that is a formidable list for anyone who is busy with other business pursuits to master, there are shortcuts provided by USSC, especially for use in the short run. To give yourself the advantage in knowledge you seek you should at least read and master the concepts concerning sign legibility in the USSC Best Practices Standards for On-Premise Signs and the Parallel Sign Study. These two volumes will provide you with a basic understanding of how the legibility factors impacting both freestanding and parallel signs are directly affected by the speed and volume of traffic as well as other environmental factors.
You will learn how to use speed of traffic as a determinant for sign size, as well as how to use volume of traffic for determination of adequate sign height. Mathematical equations are provided for this purpose, as well as charts and graphs that you can share with the committee.
In addition, the USSC Guideline Sign Code can provide you with a basic understanding of how a sign ordinance should be constructed, and offer viable options concerning the use of signs in varied conditions. If you want an even more simplified version of sign legibility, USSC has developed that for you, as well. It is a shortened version of the two volumes mentioned above entitled Sign Legibility Rules of Thumb and is available to members from the USSC website, www.ussc.org. in PDF format. Just access Member Services on the website, insert your member password, and you can not only download the information on legibility, but also copies of the USSC Guideline Sign Code and the USSC traffic safety study, as well.
How to Approach Your Role on the Committee
In general, the best approach to your role is to listen at first, then begin to question false assumptions, and finally, provide relevant scientific or proven marketing answers for specific problems at issue. In most cases, an existing sign ordinance is reviewed for change because someone or some group is dissatisfied with it. You can be sure that this person or members of the group will make their opinions known and offer solutions to bring the ordinance into conformance with their ideas, usually involving the downsizing of signs and the use of less signs overall. All too often, these ideas are erroneous, or betray an anti business bias, which you can only discover by listening to their presentation.
Some arguments that are advanced in this context include assertions that signs cause traffic accidents, that signs are too big, or numerous or that signs cause landscape "clutter." All of these assertions are patently false, but to demonstrate their falsehood, you must be prepared with the truth. And the truth is readily available from the USSC research that has clearly shown that signs not only do not cause traffic accidents, but when they are properly sized and placed, can contribute to traffic safety. The truth also now indicates that, in most municipalities signs are not too big, but in fact need to be bigger to account for the increased need for rapid legibility in high-speed traffic oriented environments. And as for as the "clutter" argument the facts are clear: Signs provide vitally needed information in extremely complex landscapes, without which most motorists would be hard put to find destinations. Nothing that is so necessary can be even remotely assumed to clutter an environment.
Your USSC Resource: You Are Not Alone!
The information presented above is, of course, designed to give you but a brief overview of the many factors involved in creating or modifying a sign ordinance, and to help you serve with knowledge and distinction on any sign ordinance committee. It is, however, but a small exposition of the broad spectrum of issues that you may face as development of the sign ordinance proceeds.
As these issues arise, you may find that you are unprepared to address them without further help. Fortunately, that help is only a phone call or email away. Just call or write the USSC office and we'll provide whatever background information or advice you wish, including legal counsel from our in-house attorney, rapid reference to legal opinions and cases on sign law provided through our affiliation with Westlaw, and comments on any draft copies of the sign ordinance as it proceeds toward completion. Additionally, if you need any of the USSC research or marketing material to pass out to the committee, USSC will provide it without charge for that purpose.
ORACAL Hosts 75th Professional Wrapping Academy
ORACAL USA will host its 75th Professional Wrapping Academy October 18 - 19, 2007 at Image Graphics 2000 in Pompano Beach, Florida.
The ORACAL Professional Wrapping Academy began in 2004 and was the first manufacturer-sponsored vehicle wrapping course of its kind in the industry. To date more than 700 vinyl installers and shop owners have attended the Wrapping Academy in locations across the United State, Canada and the Caribbean.
Designed to educate attendees on the best practice methods in applying ORAJET digital media and ORAGUARD laminating films, this two-day hands-on course also covers the business aspects of excelling in the competitive vehicle wrap market.
Participants in the class receive extensive hands-on training, led by industry veteran and Image Graphics 2000 owner Wade Davis -- who works one-on-one with students, assisting during application and allowing ample face time for questions. An ORACAL product support specialist and ORACAL territory manager are also on hand to assist in instruction and to answer technical product questions. Keeping the student-to-teacher ratio low has been a key factor in the ORACAL Professional Wrapping Academy success.
According to Oracal USA Marketing Vice President, David Grant, the company plans to expand and enhance the program for both beginners and experienced installers in 2008, offering even more opportunities to learn using the latest materials and techniques of the pros.
US LED Ranked in The Inc. 5000
With 356% three-year growth, US LED ranked #21 in the United States for manufacturing companies and #895 overall in Inc. Magazine's 2007 Inc. 5000. The Inc. 5000 is a prestigious acknowledgment of the fastest growing private companies in America. The company's cutting-edge, high quality products (most with a five-year warranty) and nation-wide distribution have helped it succeed in the growing marketplace for LED applications. CEO Ron Farmer founded the company in 2001 with 21 years sign industry experience. Superior customer service and application assistance are priorities at US LED. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
New Appointments
Scala, Inc.,
the global provider of end-to-end digital signage software, announced the appointment of Robert Koolen to the position of President, reporting directly to Scala's CEO, Gerard Bucas. As President, Koolen will be overseeing and executing the company's growth strategy as well as initially assuming direct operational responsibility for Corporate Marketing and US Operations.
Meetings and Events
OCTOBER
October 16 - 17: The Illinois Sign Association Fall Conference & Auction will be held at the Eastland Suites in Bloomington, Illinois. To learn more, call 414/529-4235.
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.
NOVEMBER
November 8 - 10: The MSSA/ISA 2007 Fall Conference, "Taking the Checkered Flag," will take place in Birmingham, Alabama. Further information about this conference is available at www.midsouthsign.org.
November 28 - 29: The Strategy Institute's Third Annual "Building Your Successful Digital Signage Business" Conference will be held in Chicago, Illinois. To learn more about attending, call 866/298-9343, e-mail registration@strategyinstitute.com (quote priority code: 107028-EB1), or visit www.strategyinstitute.com.
November 30 - December 2: USSC Sign World USA will take place at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. For more information, call 215/785-1922 or visit www.ussc.org/main_signworld.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 --
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:
Jean Picard is better known as the astronomer who first accurately measured the length of a degree of a meridian (longitude line) and from that computed the size of the Earth.
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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 October SGIA 07 issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Vinyl Adhesives
Large Format Digital Printing
Dimensional Sandblasting
Gold Leaf Vehicle Graphics
LED Power Supplies
Flexible Magnets
Screen Printing Fabrication
Vinyl Tools
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS and SUBSCRIBERS:
Coming up in the November 2007 issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Marketing Awnings
Digital Printing P-O-P
Foam/PVC Dimensional Sign Blanks
Electronic Digital Signs
Fabricating Extrusions
Neon Channnel Letters/Sign Cabinets
Fabricating Polycarbonates
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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© 2007 Simmons-Boardman Publishing
345 Hudson St., 12th Floor • New York, NY 10014
212-620-7200
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New DHC2 Plasma Cutting System! Cut custom shapes out of steel, aluminum, plastic, or wood. New enhanced Digital Height Control enables you to cut 3 dimensional materials. Easily scan images into the included software for fast custom cutting. To get a free demonstration video, click here: PlasmaCAM
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GE Lumination Tetra PowerGrid
LED Lighting System
New Tetra PowerGrid LED Lighting System from GE Lumination features a revolutionary design that replaces fluorescent systems in large-scale backlighting applications like cabinet & box sign lighting. Inter-linking Tetra PowerGrid modules install quickly and provide consistently brilliant and uniform light across the entire sign face. This energy-efficient LED solution lasts up to 50,000 hours. For more info, visit:
GE Lumination
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SloanLED ColorLINE SloanLED expands its LED tubing line with ColorLINE. Ideal for architectural and signage applications, indoors and out, ColorLINE is available in 5 colors (plus white), and can be easily cut. Pre-assembled, the tubing installs quickly with clips and offers illuminated, mitered corners and factory-formed radii. ColorLINE features Constant Current Technology and limited warranties of up to 5 years. ColorLINE Info
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Sign Builder Illustrated
Goes Digital With 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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Sign Builder Illustrated:
The How-To Book Vol. 1 Learn 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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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.
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ORACAL's 75th Wrap Academy