Connect with us

Not all trade shows are created equal. The 2022 ISA International Sign Expo is a case in point, as the opening of the show floor marked a symbolic end to the pandemic’s grip on the sign, print, and visual communications industries.

The Expo, held May 4-6 in Atlanta, was the first chance that print pros were able to gather in-person since 2019. The show was a roaring success, with many exhibitors quickly selling out of their latest innovations and attendees taking part in demos, educational programs, and competitions.

Even if you made it to Atlanta, you were still bound by time and space, unable to be everywhere at once. Here’s a sampling of what you may have missed.

The 2022 ISA Expo allow the industry to see, touch, and compare many new innovations yet to be experienced in person. Exhibiting vendors – including key industry players HP, Elliott Equipment, and Graphic Solutions Group – said the show exceeded their expectations.

Caution: Wet Paint! Heart & Bone Signs (Chicago) hand-painted this towering billboard — which was created in collaboration with Bangkok-based designer and decorative glass artist Sketchedbuk for the 2023 expo — on site in only two and a half days using One Stroke lettering enamel supplied by Ronan Paints and brushes from Flying Squirrel Brush Co.

The Wrap Experience featured the Never Stop Learning Stage with new product demos, education, and expert-led competitions through the show.

Krystal Miszewski, owner of Candy Wraps (Orlando), prepping for the next competition at The Wrap Experience.

Avery Dennison displayed its Avery SW900-845-M Matte Charcoal Metallic Vinyl Vehicle Car Wrap Film, which delivers a sleek look.

There were plenty of opportunities for experts to show off their wrap skills, from The Wrap Experience interactive booth (powered by ISA and The Wrap Institute) and the Never Stop Learning Contest to The Wrap N’ Learn Stage (sponsored by Avery Dennison) and Arlon Graphics North America’s Wrap Dash competition (shown).

Premier Graphics (Vancouver, British Columbia) was one of Big Picture’s 2022 Best of Wide Format Award winners, who were recognized at the show. Drytac Polar Grip and Interlam Pro Emerytex and Matte were used for this award-winning application.

Tim Bezner, owner of Westmount Signs (Kitchener, Ontario), accepts Best of Wide Format honors from Adrienne Palmer, editor-in-chief of Big Picture.

Epson saluted the year the company was founded, 1975, at ISA with the Epson SureColor F-Series printer. The skateboards feature different variations of designs centered around “75.”

Lori Anderson, president and CEO of the ISA, kicks off the Women Leading The Industry Breakfast telling attendees to ask themselves, “Is it real or is the truth?” when dealing with imposter syndrome.

Robert Mattatall, founder and consultant of Mattatall Signs (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia), and Mark Granberry, president and CEO of GSG (Dallas), were each presented with the Kirk L. Brimley Distinguished Service Award.

Signs of the Times’ first in-person Women in Signs awards reception kicked off with inspiring speeches from four of the five 2022 winners: Jenn-Jenn Marshall, Bobbi Baker, Shokouh Shafiei, and Dawn Homa (shown from left to right). Allison Moz, who was unable to attend, also received a round of applause for her change-making work in the industry.

From left to right: Russell Toynes, Studio Dzo (Austin, TX); Earl Walker, Image360 Tucker (Tucker, GA); and Mark Kissling, editor-in-chief of Signs of the Times (a sister publication of Big Picture) led an engaging discussion on “When Do You Start Charging For Design?” including how to implement design charges into your sales process sooner.

Signs of the Times columnist Dale Salamacha (shown here with Kissling) was shooting throughout the expo for his Media 1 Wrap This YouTube channel. Be sure to check out his series on the 2022 show, including an interview with ISA President and CEO Lori Anderson.

Finding tools to carve out one’s niche was easy with this year’s wide range of exhibitors, including AXYZ, who was showing off its Trident CNC router-knife system.

Sponsored by Roland DGA, the sold-out ISA Rocks celebration reunited the sign, graphics, and visual communications industry for the first time in three years with a block party on Atlanta’s Restaurant Row — including a DJ, cornhole and a variety of fare from Stats Brewpub, Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria, Twin Smokers BBQ, Dier Beirgarten, and other local eateries.

16 Photos from the Long-Awaited 2022 ISA Expo

16 Photos from the Long-Awaited 2022 ISA Expo

Not all trade shows are created equal. The 2022 ISA International Sign Expo is a case in point, as the opening of the show floor marked a symbolic end to the pandemic’s grip on the sign, print, and visual communications industries.

The Expo, held May 4-6 in Atlanta, was the first chance that print pros were able to gather in-person since 2019. The show was a roaring success, with many exhibitors quickly selling out of their latest innovations and attendees taking part in demos, educational programs, and competitions.

Even if you made it to Atlanta, you were still bound by time and space, unable to be everywhere at once. Here’s a sampling of what you may have missed.