׉?ׁB!בCט  (u׉׉	 7cassandra://2utANKXcbhIegTBWBn07H4j0yFMNDNBcjZYcp5N6IP4 E`׉	 7cassandra://is5MS9MzXel5ObrGriLFtYPggqx9GGktQYEas8T9O5Ex`s׉	 7cassandra://8nN03cw7CVqDoGUd9CGykfiXG9IgQoYMmA_tOBolRTk)l` ׉	 7cassandra://9Jwo7bJut8WYaJtF0Oe-k5eD73dr2ITpm4EmG6bvxn4 ^P͠]a}my=!hט   (u׈   S  ׈Ea}my=!h׉EDigital E-dition
October 27, 2021
ISA Officers VP Henry Van de Werken and President John Johnson
Platinum Sponsors Zac Martic and Speaker Phil Doud of Altec.
.2021 Illinois Sign EXPO Success!
Hosted at the Tinley Park Convention Center on October 12 and 13th the association saw the largest gathering of sign
industry professionals from sign shops to vendors, manufacturers, and allied trades as the industry declared it’s time to
build live business connections again!
Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner
The dinner program began at the conclusion of afternoon Illinois Sign EXPO
Happy Hour. The evening’s agenda included the Annual Meeting and Election
of Officers, President John Johnson’s State and History of the Industry, a
Scholarship Award presentation, the Maury Ely Award, and a special
welcome from Conference Planning Committee Chair Tabitha Bowen. The
main event was the presentation of the 2021 Sign Design Awards and the
“Best of the Best”
Evan Shaffer, Bendsen Signs receives the 1st Place award in the Illuminated Signs category.
The Illinois Sign Association was founded in 1969 to elevate and
promote the standards and professionalism of the custom electric
sign industry in sales, manufacturing, and service.
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Newly introduced in 2021, was the revamped Industry Partner Program bundles a year’s worth of sponsorship for a
variety of ISA Programs and includes the Sign EXPO tabletop. Many thanks to the partners listed below.
Added thanks to the EXPO Table top exhibitors
Avery Dennison
Indy Imaging, Inc.
Matthews Paint
UFB Fabrication
Identity Group
Indy Imaging, Inc.
Metomic Corp.
Yorston and Associates
(left) Brandon Bender, Electro-Matic and Chad Engstrom, Optec
Kathy Heider and Doug Beckman, Designs & Signs by Anderson chat with
the Watchfire pros Davin Edwards, Faye Rowell and Tom Wood..
______________
׉	 7cassandra://ZXuPJreA84kvBf6r5l-U947n9DgjXooTtDib-8NTFck!` a}my=!h׉EFall Education Conference
Education breakout sessions were presented during the EXPO.
Crane Safety Demonstrations
Phil Doud, Altec Sentry
Noting the maze of written testing, practical exams, and academic study needed to gain a crane operator certification,
Phil Doud offered a learning experience outlining important considerations and potential costs. The morning breakout
presentation on the certification requirements was followed by a hands-on outdoor exhibit. Several participants took the
challenge course as a mock practical test.
Chicago Updates Commissioner Matt Beaudet
We were fortunate to have Chicago Building Commissioner Matt Beaudet join us
for a special session on sign permitting and the recently passed permit process
changes approved by the City of Chicago. He also offered some tips for quicker
permit approvals. The Commissioner’s presentation is attached with this
e-dition.
Commissioner Beaudet accepts the President’s Award on behalf of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot for
her work in changes to the sign permitting process.
Wrap Demos were featured in the learning
lab portion of the expo hall on auto styling
wrap presented by WENSCO.
A golf cart substituted for a vehicle on the show floor!
______________
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During the Illinois Sign EXPO, a special event was hosted during the EXPO on Wednesday, October 13. The Women
Leading the Industry (WLI) luncheon event featured a panel of women and attendees from the sign industry who will
reflected on careers, industry trends, and the future of the business from the perspective of women in leadership. The
session was moderated by Conference Chair Tabitha Bowen, All-Right Sign
ISA Scholarship Program
(left) Proud dad, Shaun O’Brien, Legacy Sign Group, accepts the Scholarship Award on behalf of his daughter Emma (on right)
The Illinois Sign Association’s scholarship program is designed to award cash to college students. To be considered for the
award, the student must be a family member of an ISA member company as an owner, manager, or employee. This year’s
winner is Emma O’Brien whose father is the owner of Legacy Sign Group. Emma is a student at Purdue University and is
studying accounting. She hopes to join her father’s business one day! Congrats Emma! Information on the ISA Scholarship
Program is contained here Link to Scholarship Application
______________
׉	 7cassandra://JPTSE4xkZluhU-fcegfANF73fu_BdaNytwvFtrxd8-Q"` a}my=!h׉EConference Planning Committee
The success of this year’s conference lies in the outstanding efforts of the Planning committee lead by Tabitha Bowen,
All-Right Sign, Inc. The committee meet regularly via ZOOM and live during a site visit earlier in the year. Advance
reservations reached over 130 people which was well above the last event in Galena which had 90 guests.
22 vendors of the allied trades participated in the EXPO tabletops and outdoor exhibit area.
2021 Sign Expo and Conference Committee
Tabitha Bowen, Chair
Mat Bedford
Brandon Bender
Andrew Carby
Chad Engstrom
Brandy Flores
Craig Gray
John Johnson
Zac Martin
Sam Van Bruggen
Henry Van De Werken
Brad Werkman
All-Right Sign, Inc
Weitz Signs
Electro-Matic Visual
Prairie Signs, Inc.
Optec Displays
All-Right Sign, Inc
Wensco
C. Johnson Sign Co.
Altec Industries
Van Bruggen Signs, Inc.
Miratec Systems
Van Bruggen Signs, Inc.
2021 Conference Planning Chair, Tabitha Bowen, is presented flowers from ISA President John Johnson in appreciation of her leadership!
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2021Sign Design Awards
The ISA Sign Design Awards Program is a signature recognition program of Illinois Sign Association. Every year the annual
industry competition showcases the “Best of the Best” of the Illinois sign Industry. The program provides recognition in
seven categories for design and installation that showcase the expertise of sign companies, designers, and technicians in
the state. Category winners are presented at the 2021 ISA Sign EXPO featuring the Fall Education Conference & Industry
Awards Program selected by the awards committee in advance.
2021 Winners
Illuminated Signage and Sign Systems
Cochrane Premier Properties, Bendsen Signs & Graphics, Inc.
Legacy Sign Group, Legacy Sign Group
City of Bloomington, Prairies Signs, Inc.
Non-Illuminated Signage
White Oak Farm Venue, Legacy Sign Group
Plymouth Gateway, Poblocki Sign Company, LLC
Christian's Memorial Sign, Foppe Visual Communications
KWK & Associates, Prairies Signs, Inc.
Exposed Neon and Faux Neon
Gas N Wash, Van Bruggen Signs, Inc
Commercial Signage
D.H. Hill Jr. Library at NCSU, Poblocki Sign Company, LLC
Providence Living at Maitland, Poblocki Sign Company, LLC
Gas N Wash, Van Bruggen Signs, Inc
Vehicle Graphics
Toasted Chicken, Van Bruggen Signs, Inc
Ancho & Agave, Prairies Signs, Inc.
Apache Landscaping, All-Right Sign, Inc
Restored or Rehabilitated Existing Sign
Princess Café, All-Right Sign, Inc
Warner Theatre, Poblocki Sign Company, LLC
Chicago Records, All-Right Sign, Inc
Humorous Sign
Whatever…Just Wash Your Hands, C. Johnson Sign Co.
The next issue if the ISA Digital iMAGES e-dition will display all the winning entries
2021Sign Design Awards “Best of the Best”
“Best of the Best” overall winner will be selected by ballot from all attendees at the fall conference. The Best of the Best
winner receives $500 cash prize, which is generously being sponsored by ISA’s allied trade members! In addition, the
winner receives a special plaque, and the sign will be prominently featured on the cover of the 2022 Member Directory!
Winners of each category be presented an attractive trophy. 2nd and 3rd place winner will receive colorful certificates.
Christian's Memorial Sign
Designed internally for a heart broken
mother that lost her son to cancer. She
wanted to honor him at the bird sanctuary
that they frequently visited. Foppe worked
with Eliza to develop this interactive display
for kids to enjoy and learn from, as well as
see Christian’s name. It may be hard to tell
from the photo, but each bird has
its photo on one side with the
description on the other. It was
built for wheelchair accessibility
as well.
All in the family…JoAnn, Gabe and Thomas Foppe. Congratulations to Foppe Visual
Communications of Highland, Il for their “Best of the Best” winning entry.
׉	 7cassandra://mAn3nltEr7jMyCAuaNGRj0h2-uC9x7umh9kGCtjoNNY&` a}my=!h׉EMayor Lori Lightfoot's address to the ISA click here https://www.isa-sign.com/
President’s Award
President John Johnson presented a special award to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Alderman Brendan Riley and Alderman Brian
Hopkins for their collaboration in the recently enacted City Council ordinance which reduces a permitting roadblock
saving up to 90 days of the approval process. The change will go into effect January 1
Alderman Brin Hopkins 2nd Ward (left) and Alderman Brendan Reilly 42nd Ward (right) receive the President’s Award from ISA Executive Director Russ
Salzman for their support of the revised Chicago sign permitting ordinance.
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THE LINK...INSTALL - November 3-4, 2021 | Virtual
An ISA Experience Connecting National Sign Companies & Installers
The largest national sign companies in North America are seeking local install partners
for immediate and long-term projects. Join ISA on either November 3 or 4 (you choose
which day works best for you) for THE LINK...INSTALL, an online event designed to fuel
your business.
Personalized matchmaking, 1-on-1 meetings, and pre-event screening make this event
THE most effective way to generate quality connections with national sign companies.
No other event does more to boost your install business with many attendees
receiving contracts or proposals just days after the event!
Attendance is limited and this event always sells out. So don't wait, reserve your spot
today at www.signs.org/install.
Sign Industry Quarterly Economic Report - Q3 2021
All four sectors of the sign and graphics industry are looking slightly
worse for 2021, but expected to rebound by 2022, according to the Sign
Industry Quarterly Economic Report, produced by IHS Markit for the
International Sign Association.
The report covers the third quarter of 2021 and shows the most up to
date and comprehensive analysis of data you need to know, such as
U.S. consumer spending, global economic growth, and material prices.
The report is free for ISA, ISA Affiliated Association and NASSD members. Non-members may purchase it for $1,000 per
quarterly forecast. This research can be accessed at http://www.signs.org/quarterlyreport.
Mark your calendars for next year’s event
We are excited to announce that the Illinois Sign Association will host the 2022 annual event on October 11 & 12th at the
Tinley Park Convention Center again … LIVE and in person. Dozens of suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers will
be on display at the table top tradeshow with timely, informative breakout learning experiences and outdoor
demonstrations.
The Annual Meeting and Industry Awards Dinner will feature presentations and connections with the state’s leading sign
companies and allied trades on Tuesday evening October 11, 2022. In addition to the annual meeting, the election of
officers and the sign design awards will be presented including the best of the best voting. The scholarship awards and
the Maury Ely award for outstanding leadership and service will be part of the program.
The event is produced by the Illinois Sign Association and sponsored by the allied trades showcasing the region’s best
suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and services. Members are reminded to Invite colleagues and installers, designers,
and managers to take part in the event. The tradeshow and education experiences will be free to industry members
thanks to generous sponsorship of our allied trade members
2021 ISA Board of Directors
President
Vice President
Secretary/Treasurer
Past President
Directors:
JOHN C. JOHNSON
JASON TOMPKINS
BRANDON BENDER
TABITHA BOWEN
BARRY COX
CHAD ENGSTROM
KEVIN LASKA
ZAC MARTIN
MIKE WEITZ
SARA WERKMAN
C. Johnson Sign Co
HENRY VAN DE WERKEN Miratec Systems
ANDREW CARBY
Prairie Signs, Inc.
Bendsen Signs & Graphics, Inc.
Electro-Matic Products, Inc.
All-Right Sign, Inc.
Turnroth Sign
Optec Displays, Inc.
North Shore Sign
Altec Industries, Inc.
Weitz Sign Company
Van Bruggen Signs, Inc.
Membership is open to all sign companies in
the state of Illinois and related trade service
businesses in the sign industry. Click here for
membership application and more
information. ISA Membership Application
Membership in the ISA
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