Signposts Blog

Designated Blogger: David Hickey, ISA Government Relations Director

Now more than ever, the on-premise sign industry should be interested in and aware of what is happening in Washington, DC. The fact is that federal lawmakers are becoming increasingly interested in regulating virtually every aspect of business, and this includes sign companies and our products.

Designated Blogger: Rich Gottwald, ISA Vice President of Education and Technical Initiatives

Everything is available in electronic form today. Bank statements. Invoices. Newsletters. Photos. Invitations. Purchase orders. Investment reports. Product catalogs. You name it, it’s in your inbox online.How to break through the clutter? Send a letter in the mail.

Designated Blogger:
David Hickey, ISA Director of Government Relations

A highly contentious battle rages in one of our nation’s most prominent cities, threatening huge consequences for the sign industry. In Los Angeles, California, the city council is considering a proposal to completely ban all new digital signs, and greatly restrict the number, size and height of new signs all over the city.

Designated Blogger:
Kenny Peskin, ISA State & Local Government Affairs Manager

Memorial Day has a great deal of symbolic meaning to most Americans. Besides that its primary purpose to recognize and remember the casualties of military service, Memorial Day marks an important time on the calendar. For some, it’s the start of summer; for others, it means the approaching end of the school year; still others think about the appropriate time to wear shorts, sandals, or seersucker.

Designated Blogger:
Lance Clark, ISA Director of Membership

I’ve had the opportunity over the course of my career to have worked in several different industries. In every industry, including the sign business, it seems there are always a couple hundred major players that you know by name—you may know them only indirectly or by reputation, but you know that it is important for you to know them.

Designated Blogger: 
Sapna Budev, ISA International Relations Manager

This year’s Expo has been particularly thrilling for me as ISA’s international relations manager. One of our goals at ISA is to foster the development of sign associations worldwide. We know that the best way to serve our members is to have local representation in their region – people who are connected to the unique challenges and opportunities inherent in that sign marketplace.

Designated Blogger:
Paula Weis, Owner, Weis Communications
ISA has cut the ribbon on its 63rd International Sign Expo in Las Vegas, and the excitement is building for first-time attendees.  Despite all the marketing pieces, promotional materials, online content and news stories so readily available in the months leading up to the event, it’s difficult to know exactly what to expect until you step into the exhibit hall for the first time.

Designated Blogger:
Tracey Cook, ISA Director of Education & Professional Development

Each day brings us closer to the kick off of International Sign Association Sign Expo. As the newest ISA staff member and a Sign Expo first-time attendee, all I can say is WOW!

The amount of energy surrounding this year’s Expo is amazing. Each day brings higher attendee registration numbers, as well as more Discovery Seminar Series registrants. If I didn’t know any better, I wouldn’t think we were in a “down” economy at all. Exhibitors are excited, attendees are excited and so is your ISA staff. Without question, there is a great deal to be excited about!

Former ISA Chairwoman Teresa M. Young posts recent survey results on her blog, Sign Brain, which underscore the determination of the digital sign industry entrepreneur to remain optimistic about the state of digital signage.
Young explores the results of a recent survey her organization conducted of independent sign business owners asking for their business outlook for 2009 and beyond. What she found was surprisingly positive, particularly in comparison with the pervasive “doom and gloom” economic reports in the general media.

New York Times columnist David Brooks has recently written about a study showing that Americans are still optimistically mobile. The Pew Research study found that the majority of Americans still – despite the economy, or maybe because of it – want to relocate and travel across the country. This trend, notes Brooks, seems contrary to what the planning community wants, i.e., an end to urban sprawl and less dependence on cars.