Some 62 sign, graphics and visual communications companies in 67 locations will address one of the most pressing workforce issues—recruiting the next generation of workers—during Sign Manufacturing Day 2017. The event will be held October 6, throughout the U.S. and Canada.**
That same day, the Sign Research Foundation will reach university students and professors of interior design, landscape architecture and urban planning at a workshop in conjunction with Michigan State University’s School of Planning, Design, and Construction. The day-long workshop will include sessions on wayfinding in an urban environment and sign fabrication materials and methods. Attendees also will learn more about signage within a campus setting and then visit the university’s 1855 Place, a mixed-use development incorporating housing, offices and parking.
Sign Manufacturing Day, sponsored by the International Sign Association in conjunction with the National Association of Manufacturers, is now in its fifth year. Participation has dramatically increased each year; in its inaugural event in 2013, nine companies in 13 locations participated.
“The overwhelming response to Sign Manufacturing Day 2017 is just another testament to the success of ISA’s workforce development programs and to the need for future workers,” said Alison Kent, ISA’s Director, Workforce Development & Education.
“Companies have successfully used this day to build year-round relationships with local high schools, community colleges and technical schools and to hire skilled workers to help grow their businesses. In addition, this year—for the first time—schools reached out to ISA to ask about participating sign, graphics and visual communications companies in their areas.”
Participating companies are provided a toolkit that helps them connect with area educators and helps them showcase the diverse careers available in the sign, graphics and visual communications industry. In 2016, more than 2,600 students visited a sign, graphics and visual communications company as part of Sign Manufacturing Day.
Companies scheduled to participate in 2017 are:
Accurate Signs, Mesquite, TX
AD/S Companies, Corona, CA
AGS, Exton, PA
Allen Industries, Greensboro, NC
Arrow Sign, Oakland, CA
ASG (Advance Sign Group), Columbus, OH
Baker Signs and Manufacturing, Conroe, TX
Blanchett Neon, Edmonton, AB
DaVinci Sign Systems, Inc., Windsor, CO
Day Nite Neon Signs, Dartmouth, NS
Design Center Signs, Tyler, TX
Design Communications, Ltd, Orlando, FL
Design Team Sign Company LLC, Savannah, TN
Enseignes Plus, Châteauguay, QC
Faces, Pelham, AL
FDC Graphic Films, Inc., South Bend, IN
Federal Heath Sign Company, LLC, Racine, WI
Federal Heath Sign Company, LLC, Euless, TX
Federal Heath Sign Company, LLC, Oceanside, CA
Federal Heath Sign Company, LLC, Jacksonville, TX
Federal Heath Sign Company, LLC, Delaware, OH
Gordon Sign Co., Denver, CO
Hansen Signs, Moncton, NB
Hilton Displays, Greensville, SC
Howard Industries, Fairview, PA
IdentiCom Sign Solutions, Farmington Hills, MI
ISF Sign Specialists, Indianapolis, IN
Jones Signs, De Pere, WI
JSJ Electrical Display, Fairfield, CA
KAPCO, Kent, OH
Kieffer|Starlite, Sheboygan, WI
Lewis Sign, Buda, TX
LNS Legacy National Signs, Dallas, TX
LSI Industries, Inc., North Canton, OH
Mattatall Signs, Ltd., Dartmouth, NS
Media Resources, Inc., Oakville, ON
Midtown Signs, LLC, Kansas City, MO
Midwest Light & Sign, Farmington, MO
Montreal Neon Signs, Laval, QC
North American Signs, South Bend, IN
Pattison Sign, Penticton, BC
Persona Inc., Watertown, SD
Poblocki Sign Company, Milwaukee, WI
Poyant Signs, Inc., New Bedford, MA
Pride Signs, Cambridge, ON
Ramsay Signs, Portland, OR
Robert Amerding Company, San Jose, CA
Schurle Signs, Lawrence, KS
Scott Paragon Signs, Richmond BC
Selkirk Signs & Services Ltd, Cranbrook, BC
Serigraphics Sign Systems, Inc., Golden Valley, MN
Signarama (Corporate), West Palm Beach, FL
Signs by Crannie, Flint, MI
SIGNSTAR, Tampa, FL
Signtech Electrical Advertising, Inc., San Diego, CA
Skyline Sign Services Ltd, Edmonton, AB
Sleek Advertising Ltd, Regina, SK
Spectra Advertising, Concord, ON
St. Clair Signs, Taylors, SC
Steel Art Company, Norwood, MA
Stone’s Signs, Saint Charles, MO
Superior Electrical Advertising Inc., Long Beach, CA
Think Digital Signs, Edina, MN
ThinkSign, Inc., Louisville, KY
YESCO, Las Vegas, NV
YESCO, Salt Lake City, UT
Ziglin Signs, Washington, MO
To learn more about Sign Manufacturing Day, visit www.signs.org/mfgday or visit ISA’s Career Center, www.signs.org/careers.
**Some companies may slightly alter the dates to accommodate school breaks and other issues.
