First Look: ISA Expo Recap

International Sign Expo Recap

The International Sign Association (ISA) welcomed more than 19,000 attendees to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas for the 65th annual 2011 ISA Sign Expo in late April. Industry exhibitors filled nearly 200,000 square feet with the market’s latest innovations.

“With an increase in attendees of over 13 percent from 2010, we feel strongly the industry is seeing a significant rebound and the numbers reflect this rebound. Our exhibit sales were up 14 percent in net square footage and our participating companies were up 13 percent over last year. Our sponsorship sales were up more than 300 percent for the event,” says Brandon Hensley, ISA VP of Marketing and Sales.

The expo featured the third-annual New Product Showcase, which honored the latest technologies in the graphics and signage market by allowing 25 companies to pitch their most recent creations. The attendees then voted to choose the “Coolest New Product,” which went to 3M Scotchprint Wrap Film Series 1080 (www.3mgraphics.com). During this year’s Green Product showcase, which judged products based on advancements in energy efficiency, low-VOC, post-consumer waste products, and other similar traits, Image Microsystems Microstrate (www.imagemicro.com) took home the title of “Best Green Product of 2011.”

Attendees also enjoyed the American Wrap Star competition where professionals from across the nation performed live vehicle-wrap applications. The contest hosted 64 competitors who wrapped four vehicles. The judge crew led by graphic application specialist Rob Ivers selected Mingo Richter from Blackbox-Richter in Austria as the champion.

The general consensus was a feeling of cautious optimism as most exhibitors and attendees reported seeing an upswing in the industry. “The supplier community was reporting higher sales numbers during quarter one than anticipated and the orders being placed on the show floor left many I spoke with feeling that quarter two was headed in the same direction,” adds Hensley.

Look for an extended ISA recap in the upcoming July issue of The Big Picture. ISA International Sign Expo 2012 is set for March 21-24 in Orlando. Check www.signexpo.org for details in the coming months.
 

International Sign Expo
www.signexpo.org