2009 ISA International Sign Expo a Huge Success – Points to a Strong Sign Industry
LAS VEGAS, NV – April 18, 2009 —
The International Sign Association (ISA) today called its 2009 International Sign Expo “a resounding success,” noting that it was their best show ever, despite facing what are daunting economic odds. The Expo included participants from 92 countries, proving it is truly a global event. Nearly 18,000 people met at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, to experience the latest in technology, educational offerings and networking opportunities. The exhibit hall featured 500 companies, staffing nearly 1,600 exhibit booths.
“The sign industry is still strong,” remarked ISA SVP of Trade Shows Brian McNamara, at the close of the show. “Our exhibitors have overwhelmingly reported strong business leads, and many saw their sales projections exceeded early on at the show.”
ISA echoed the sentiments of their exhibitors’ success, as ISA President and CEO Lori Anderson noted, “To experience a show of this magnitude in the midst of what has been a monumental economic crisis, speaks volumes on a robust and resilient sign industry.”
Also in conjunction with ISA’s show, the association announced the launch of its International Sign Academy, a new program providing year-round education, workforce training and professional development for the sign industry. Nearly 1,900 individuals participated in the Expo’s 40 Discovery Seminar Series courses, obtaining the latest information and training on sales and marketing, management, digital imaging, safety issues, digital electronic signage, and graphic arts and design. For more information, please visit www.signs.org/signacademy.
The show also presented the inaugural New Product Showcase, which featured the latest in innovative sign technologies, highlighting exhibiting companies’ most recent products. More than 200 attendees voted on the “Coolest New Product.” Tred Displays, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, won for their iN-Series Reflective Digital Display Panels. Visit www.treddisplays.com for more information.
One notable networking event, other than the 225,000 net square feet of exhibit space, was the Custom and National Sign Company Division Meeting. More than 400 sign company representatives attended this recession-busting networking event, which connected national and local sign companies to forge business relationships.
Another new event taking place on the exhibit hall floor, which drew enormous crowds, was the first annual Lowen Certified Wrap-Off. This contest was produced by the Lowen Corporation, in conjunction with the International Sign Association. The wrap-off took place throughout the course of the show, and watched 48 professional vehicle wrap installers compete to win many prizes, including a Ford F-250 truck. The grand prize winner was Dustin Shelley-Newnan, with It’s a Wrap Graphics, Inc. For more information, please visit www.lowen.com.
“Now more than ever, the International Sign Expo proved to be a quality experience for the industry’s buyers and sellers,” noted ISA Chairman Roy Cox.
