׉?ׁB!בCט  (u׉׉	 7cassandra://uTgoWVqs6VS_2GKJhgz48ewaTTaiH8BsqNxGKwZ-DM4 "%`׉	 7cassandra://6wuLsOsvhgY3l2Jf3-Hw2EqGqToDF9i_YXEVNqb3Vd4|`s׉	 7cassandra://xOj_HIX9EjmNDmeTh4WCWSX9SQCdaPYXa-8LlITVCXk,` ׉	 7cassandra://t5wrp6XpPDz4awcrHpVk-FHbKykif5Dh6Sun6ng4gQ4 Yo͠]`6i~<|'ט   (u׈   S  נ`6i~<|* ̽9ׁHhttp://www.ISA-sign.comׁׁЈ׈E`6i~<{׉EpiMAGES Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association SIGN DESIGN AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL EDITION
P a g e | 1
February 2021
Digital Edition viewable on www.ISA-sign.com.
The Official Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association February 2021
SPECIAL EDITION - 2020 Sign Design Award Winners
2020
“Best of the Best”
Carlinville Plaza
A smash-up design of throwback style and modern
techniques, the unique structure sits on Historic
Route 66 in the middle of America’s Midwest in
Carlinville, IL. The 40’ tall pylon features 44
fabricated circles with LED illumination, over 20.000
sequins, and exposed LED channel letters.
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` ׉	 7cassandra://kZ3yeh9itwMrYIcuL__WN-5Xk-4hTdxQdWdd3yrMrTk ͠]`6i~<|,נ`6i~<|/ r! 9ׁHhttp://www.isa-sign.comׁׁЈ׉EiMAGES Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association SIGN DESIGN AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL EDITION
P a g e | 2
February 2021
2020 Sign Design Awards Competition
The ISA Sign Design Awards Program is a signature recognition program of Illinois Sign
Association staging the annual industry competition that showcases the best of the best in
Illinois. The program provides recognition in nine categories for design and installation that
showcase the expertise of sign companies, designers, and technicians in Illinois.
Category winners were announced at the 2020 ISA Virtual Sign EXPO on December 8, 2020
Winners were selected by the awards committee in advance.
“Best of the Best” winner was selected by virtual polling via ZOOM by the online. The winner
receives a $500 cash prize, which is generously being sponsored by ISA’s allied trade members!
In addition, the winner will receive a special plaque and the sign will be prominently featured on
the cover of the 2021 Member Directory!
2020 SIGN DESIGN AWARDS COMPETITION SPONSORS
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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P a g e | 3
February 2021
Congrats to the 2020 Sign Design Award Winners!
Illuminated Category
◼ 1st South Water Signs - Metropolis
◼ 1st Ace Sign Company - Carlinville Plaza
◼ 2nd Legacy Sign - Vale Park Animal Hospital
◼ 3rd Bendsen Sign & Graphics - 32 E. Green
◼ 3rd Van Bruggen Signs Inc. -Marist HS
Non-Illuminated
◼ 1st Prairie Signs - The Candles
◼ 2nd Ace Sign Company -Motor Heads
◼ 3rd Prairie Signs - The Park
Neon Graphics
◼ 1st Ace Sign Company - Slow Hands Craft BBQ
Commercial Signage
◼ 1st Prairie Signs - LiUNA Local 165
◼ 2nd Prairie Signs - Shorty's Barber Shop
Vehicle Graphics
◼ 1st Ace Sign Company - Edelweiss Boutique
◼ 2nd Prairie Signs - Joes Pizza Pub
◼ 3rd Van Bruggen Signs Inc. - Danrich Carstar
Restored or Rehabilitated Existing Sign
◼ 1st Parvin-Clauss - Youngs
◼ 2nd C. Johnson Sign Co. - Parkview Plaza
◼ 3rd Sign Artist USA - Elmhurst College
COVID-19 Innovation
◼ 1st Prairie Signs - Bromenn
◼ 2nd Kieffer/Starlite - Portable Screen
◼ 3rd Ace Sign Company – Safety Message
Humorous Sign
◼ 1st C. Johnson Sign Co.
Look for all winners on
the ISA Website
www.isa-sign.com
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P a g e | 4
Illuminated Sign Category – A tie for First Place!
1st Place
Ace Sign Company
Carlinville Plaza
February 2021
׉	 7cassandra://QLgkslFiJV5SCZQCuqud6DIa_A3xd5t-dYToLSlxwmc(` `6i~<{׉EgiMAGES Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association SIGN DESIGN AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL EDITION
P a g e | 5
Illuminated Sign Category – A tie for First Place!
1st Place
South Water Signs
Metropolis Performing Arts Center
After more than 4 years of planning,
2 years in the city for approvals and
1 pandemic, Metropolis Performing
Arts Centre has a sign they can be
proud to call their own.
All the lighting is fully dimmable.
EMC boards are 8mm RBG. ¾” push
through lettering on the sides and
face. LED bulbs throughout. Sign
weight is over 10,000 lbs. 12-week
fabrication time, 2-day installation.
February 2021
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P a g e | 6
Illuminated Sign Category
2nd Place
Legacy Sign
Vale Park Animal Hospital
Illuminated Sign Category
3rd Place
Bendsen Signs & Graphics, Inc
32. E Green
February 2021
Double sides, internally illuminated projecting
sign. 240” H x 36” W x 16.5 “ Deep. Attached
channel letters have white acrylic faces with
perforated returns. Principal LEDs shine white
behind the faces with a baffle installed
allowing the logo to shine green through the
perforated returns. The “E” portion of the logo
has similar lighting feature that sits on a circle
that also face lights green.
Incorporated stone veneers – same
stone used on building and Stained
wood to mimic the wood trusses
used in the architecture of the
building
Illuminated Sign Category
3rd Place Tie
Van Bruggen Signs Inc
Marist High School
Illuminated exterior wall display for chapel of catholic
high school. Original image design by customer but
modified to work as a wall display. Halo illuminated
people and shapes are fabricated aluminum with
multi-depth returns (2” x 3” deep) with uniform stand
offs. Clear acrylic background panel is 144” x 272” x
4” deep with concealed mounting frame. Finished in
satin acrylic urethane.
׉	 7cassandra://JnmApFeFFJdtvPT5G5mON73D7HI1Hy22XTAHcMpzeyM"` `6i~<{׉E wiMAGES Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association SIGN DESIGN AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL EDITION
P a g e | 7
February 2021
׉	 7cassandra://TiTSRIe_djbfdvO0NMhrpR7S3HJ1IBkTERR0EcZ7x_8 ` `6i~<{`6i~<{(בCט   (u׉׉	 7cassandra://0EVawi9-4_eH32dJmKhCCx-hufaitcaEklSYFVEeX_k ΢`׉	 7cassandra://EWTSqK-Q7V49AUJHTQaaGqd-SoNl9cIVV1r4Nu8MdKMg>`s׉	 7cassandra://WDN_KFvTBeHfkQUkrCbzUStXGjQKWlVmfoXdHVqsSwI!` ׉	 7cassandra://5sLTpwcDbECmB__YaNu3F9k-yNpe7_xDS2lxJnqJzWs ͠]`6i~<|7ט  (u׉׉	 7cassandra://lbbONKucWgP60osiOWVrcYCAfQdIXRR_FEFoi0ltPkI E^`׉	 7cassandra://Mzk_rSTW64W9OLqeY7AG9ESKK_eibKOWfZBdLM26lO0f`s׉	 7cassandra://yknHWomVscu0xc3imqXLGriFO3fZyJBvu7YcrlfIRmg%` ׉	 7cassandra://0EgSqJj92VdxYqVKyl4KpUQW56R33VBS2cokT29PXg8 $ ̜͠]`6i~<|8׉EiMAGES Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association SIGN DESIGN AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL EDITION
P a g e | 8
Non-Illuminated
1st Place
Prairie Signs
The Candles
Non-Illuminated
2nd Place
Ace Sign Company
Motor Heads
This monument structure incorporates
Stone columns and base, Limestone
caps, Cedar header, and aluminum sign
cabinet with aluminum dimensional
letters. It is painted with a COPPER
paint! A mixture of many natural
materials.
February 2021
Non-Illuminated
3rd Place
Prairie Signs
The Park
Bottom lit 32' x 32' sign.
Sequins give it a shimmering
effect.
Monument structure utilizes Stone
columns and a Brick base, Limestone
caps, Cedar header and vertical
supports, aluminum sign cabinet with
aluminum dimensional letters.
׉	 7cassandra://WDN_KFvTBeHfkQUkrCbzUStXGjQKWlVmfoXdHVqsSwI!` `6i~<{׉E iMAGES Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association SIGN DESIGN AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL EDITION
P a g e | 9
February 2021
Neon Graphics
1st
Place
Ace Sign Company
Slow Hand Craft BBQ
׉	 7cassandra://yknHWomVscu0xc3imqXLGriFO3fZyJBvu7YcrlfIRmg%` `6i~<{`6i~<{(בCט   (u׉׉	 7cassandra://Gl5FWKizy06bocD9m8Dn0qCVAaYpYci4-M4uUksfiAo `׉	 7cassandra://rBDHhTMsA9T7YzZTEq_9TIg2B0ivcgmQ581C-FfN_Bcjb`s׉	 7cassandra://Iw97y0en7GFT1kl58Fa-STufShCVC_v8t5vTwh2tfOM#` ׉	 7cassandra://r9lfNanywoMOySVJUSE0BmCZpz7kgAiRDXzTSgiicGA R,͠]`6i~<|;ט  (u׉׉	 7cassandra://ue8j3aJ3IJnWTEdFsAqEWFqBG3IHMgjFy0KC4J73zYk O`׉	 7cassandra://giAR1lnLwJ2DOO0xM8S7a4oEp0bNXmiEIGKM-QJifUkj`s׉	 7cassandra://-rEuXyr_Zs9aSvX68vSXQ6UdxQnWzGwXc3Hom3AikCE%` ׉	 7cassandra://M6U2WpKlfsjzwHjZMve66tL-2TWBTCXrK0G4FZYP2eU ͠]`6i~<|<׉EQiMAGES Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association SIGN DESIGN AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL EDITION
P a g e | 10
February 2021
Our client wanted to make a statement
with window graphics on the side of the
Peoria Civic Center where their
tradesmen were working. We designed,
printed, and installed a 5-story window
wrap.
Commercial Signage
1st
Place
Prairie Signs
LiUNA Local 165
Commercial Signage
2nd
Place
Prairie Signs
Shorty’s Barber Shop
Our client wanted an “old school” Barber
shop design for his storefront substrate
sign. We haven’t installed the sign yet, but
it has been produced.
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P a g e | 11
Vehicle Graphics
1st Place
Ace Sign Company
Edelweiss Boutique
February 2021
Vehicle Graphics
2nd
Place
Prairie Signs
Joe’s Pizza Pub
Turned our client’s vehicle into a mobile
billboard with a full-on vehicle wrap.
׉	 7cassandra://-rEuXyr_Zs9aSvX68vSXQ6UdxQnWzGwXc3Hom3AikCE%` `6i~<{`6i~<{(בCט   (u׉׉	 7cassandra://vT8C6hs-E3LJlt4_X2CUFoWoVh20Nu5uS-L0kTdoLcE 5`׉	 7cassandra://_iauJI_aE1q1NM4LgIv7FkEtO8ZegKZlCep_-o71ZtIr`s׉	 7cassandra://-yCgePXTNopzZhTkL_t5_GO725IlB4Zhx55ZH-4DXTc(` ׉	 7cassandra://ssDllCaxnGLzAQEvn3W8_vPm7-CIKrsR9uxi9_nj5Mw :͠]`6i~<|>ט  (u׉׉	 7cassandra://LevpFy7lzra-J5K2F5JscJ5Y2hu18WDXrvjlUHc01bI `׉	 7cassandra://fBzIjeAjlw3-U_l87LYK8L9__Zejd08BeJ44YBHbC2Mb`s׉	 7cassandra://W3Ca0EjGlgjWrM85DYi0T1ODHrhXlEN_tjNPVSwcjz8$` ׉	 7cassandra://FINUxNqojvcRKAK1gzHMmjEdXjveVpe-8TMN5LFuwng y̬͠]`6i~<|?׉EiMAGES Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association SIGN DESIGN AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL EDITION
P a g e | 12
Vehicle Graphics
3rd
Place
Prairie Signs
Shorty’s Barber Shop
Towing company franchise provided
logo adapted for use on tilt bed tow
truck.
Combination of digitally printed reflective
vinyl and high-performance vinyl
lettering on side doors extending to
hood, bulk head behind cab, side
cabinets and side rails on tilt bed.
February 2021
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P a g e | 13
Restored or Rehabilitated Existing Sign
1st Place
Parvin-Clauss
Young’s Appliances
February 2021
Refurbished existing rotating sign and
replaced all neon with rope light/faux
neon LED . Also restored motor for
rotation motor.
׉	 7cassandra://W3Ca0EjGlgjWrM85DYi0T1ODHrhXlEN_tjNPVSwcjz8$` `6i~<{`6i~<{(בCט   (u׉׉	 7cassandra://juZ4-ajLVjYQ-P81sqm28BeqGUlP5jjgBNrXgB542Ec d`׉	 7cassandra://UCgNTyR08dWX3r5L4G6J2QKeD4v1qbp-lv4OOfxv658r`s׉	 7cassandra://g9TCDBxwxT4yrxrdhfi6b6T4aRaiv1xMqic9KBBW498'` ׉	 7cassandra://xEiyGaE7Jpyv_mcL_KzchV8K_xEPI7-ddo7C2MQNQjQ yP͠]`6i~<|Aט  (u׉׉	 7cassandra://T6P0UPcVhzPqJumpP9Nax7Ksd0SR8D51O4ocbzuTajc B`׉	 7cassandra://55Abd7vVgodyG1Kf6T49NLqdWrnjQlF5Pqk6wM8zhPA``s׉	 7cassandra://_jUhbGon94BptfAxZgDes1BAjU9cxM161oMGnAvyDmU"3` ׉	 7cassandra://YXknSTn5GdrWqVfAItOjjwHyvrXykpVIeEFdHjyBh3o ͠]`6i~<|B׉EiMAGES Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association SIGN DESIGN AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL EDITION
P a g e | 14
Restored or Rehabilitated Existing Sign
2nd
Place
C. Johnson Sign Co.
Parkview Plaza
February 2021
Used existing supporting structure;
routed out fabricated clear satin
anodized panels; painted aluminum
background & skirt; face & side lit
vertically running letters; perforated vinyl
to give black/white day/night look.
׉	 7cassandra://g9TCDBxwxT4yrxrdhfi6b6T4aRaiv1xMqic9KBBW498'` `6i~<{׉EiMAGES Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association SIGN DESIGN AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL EDITION
P a g e | 15
Restored or Rehabilitated Existing Sign
3rd Place
Sign Artist USA
Elmhurst College
February 2021
Rebuilt the Elmhurst College gateway arch
and updated the name to Elmhurst
University. Designed and updated the text
and worked with the All-Metal Group to
rebuild the structure of the arch.
׉	 7cassandra://_jUhbGon94BptfAxZgDes1BAjU9cxM161oMGnAvyDmU"3` `6i~<{`6i~<{(בCט   (u׉׉	 7cassandra://9soV_E4vowGEZmYSFcqvCEreKI3sKPAW_7G0O-jw7vw 6b`׉	 7cassandra://Dy_Zruuki2Ihoq3FdEMKIjy4Y5D-yK4nzgixIaLtcWoed`s׉	 7cassandra://RvA1qpZoNKumxs-Z0Mvm4QPBF7NRGA241CpzKe7p1-0$V` ׉	 7cassandra://a7AdADHVMEwYPKG2KvL97D5GM5aNVB69wcetABKray8 L͠]`6i~<|Eט  (u׉׉	 7cassandra://zaEyRD16IP9yuhZqFdsBZc3ShPw2WLoVFBDTfr8cbeQ 	`׉	 7cassandra://SLptWf02tAmauY019GuLkTgrRjYyowjn-7hNuWEka4k[`s׉	 7cassandra://-WedvdY32QZsuE8BBG9ZmSXTcTBh84CAhwcfgV4qqKA E` ׉	 7cassandra://a3-VeZgFZ26sw0jiyvIgvjVLDyQedg-Pe8ZYoz5445k "s\͠]`6i~<|F׉E xiMAGES Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association SIGN DESIGN AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL EDITION
P a g e | 16
February 2021
׉	 7cassandra://RvA1qpZoNKumxs-Z0Mvm4QPBF7NRGA241CpzKe7p1-0$V` `6i~<{׉EiMAGES Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association SIGN DESIGN AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL EDITION
P a g e | 17
COVID-19 Innovation
1st
Place
Prairie Signs
Bromenn
Our client needed a “clever” and
professional way to mark off chairs
to assist with social distancing.
They had to be aesthetically
pleasing, have an effective
message, and be user friendly. We
developed a sign produced from
lightweight PVC with digitally
printed graphics that could strap to
the chairs via a Velcro strap. The
Velcro strap allows for easy
installation/removal. The Velcro
strap has sewn hems for durability.
They are a hit!
February 2021
COVID-19 Innovation
2nd Place
Kieffer/Starlite
Portable Screen
COVID-19 Innovation
3rd Place
Ace Sign Company
Safety Signage
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9ׁHhttp://www.altec.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<|l 8-̠9ׁHmailto:TBowen@allrightsign.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<|k 8̅9ׁHhttp://www.allrightsign.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<|j ̹9ׁH !mailto:bhbender@electro-matic.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<|i w̷9ׁH !http://www.empvisualsolutions.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<|h ΁̚9ׁHmailto:acarby@prairiesigns.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<|g ̈9ׁHhttp://www.prairiesigns.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<|f )̤9ׁHmailto:john@cjohnsonsignco.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<|e ̠9ׁHhttp://www.cjohnsonsignco.comׁׁЈ׉E iMAGES Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association SIGN DESIGN AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL EDITION
P a g e | 18
February 2021
Humorous Sign
C. Johnson Sign Co.
Interesting spelling choices on this
landscaping trailer!
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׉EriMAGES Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association SIGN DESIGN AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL EDITION
P a g e | 19
2021 ISA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2020-2021 President
JOHN C. JOHNSON
C. Johnson Sign Company
9615 Waveland Avenue
Franklin Park, IL 60131-1747
847-678-2092
www.cjohnsonsignco.com
john@cjohnsonsignco.com
Secretary/Treasurer
ANDREW CARBY
Prairie Signs, Inc.
1215 Warriner
Normal, IL 61761
309-452-0463
www.prairiesigns.com
acarby@prairiesigns.com
DIRECTORS
BRANDON BENDER
Electro-Matic Visual, Inc.
23660 Industrial Park Drive
Farmington Hills, MI 48335
248-622-3684 / 312-237-0573
www.empvisualsolutions.com
bhbender@electro-matic.com
TABITHA BOWEN
All-Right Signs
3628 Union Avenue
Steger, IL 60417
708-754-6366
www.allrightsign.com
TBowen@allrightsign.com
ZAC MARTIN
Altec Industries, Inc.
2835 N. Wolcott Avenue, Unit
H
Chicago, IL 60657
508-745-3341
www.altec.com
zachery.martin@altec.com
BARRY COX
Turnroth Sign Company, Inc.
1207 E. Rock Falls Road
Rock Falls, IL 61071
815-625-1155
www.turnrothsign.com
turnrothsignbcox@yahoo.com
MIKE WEITZ
Weitz Sign Company
2400 Kerper Boulevard
Dubuque, IA 52001
800-383-1300
www.weitzsign.com
mike@weitzsign.com
CHAD ENGSTROM
Optec Displays, Inc.
1700 S. De Soto Place
Ontario, CA 91761
800.876.1668 x258
626.252.8333
www.optec.com
SARA WERKMAN
Van Bruggen Signs, Inc.
13401 Southwest Hwy.
Orland Park, IL 60462
708-448-0826
www.vbsign.com
sara@vbsign.com
DIRECTORS
KEVIN LASKA
North Shore Sign
1925 Industrial Drive
Libertyville, IL 60048
847-816-7020
www.northshoresigns.com
kevinl@northshoresigns.com
February 2021
Vice President
HENRY VAN DE WERKEN
MIRATEC SYSTEMS
640 Olive Street
Saint Paul, MN 55130
630-864-7491 / 651-222-8440
hvandewerken@gmail.com
henryv@miratecsystems.com
www.MiratecSystems.com
Past President
JASON TOMPKINS
Bendsen Signs & Graphics
2901 North Woodford Street
Decatur, IL 62526-4715
217-877-2345
www.bendsensigns.com
jt@bsg1946.com
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(בCט   (u׉׉	 7cassandra://dy1ibSuppfS5VJoqb8IFSvpt73oJjazzA7DZNmuAABs h`׉	 7cassandra://gs9Wg3Ze395nwh3azJruxcmv27Z2h7vWRyrmJJMd8UkV`s׉	 7cassandra://eJFUIuNSBvUImGqLhvZBJLyo-82S0VNQPe6R4E52AwY` ׉	 7cassandra://TOks6Bm3GrTdXltA9EsRpg8N1n3HqZAe5lJpD_p7OWI ͠]`6i~<|}ט  (u׉׉	 7cassandra://IwBymBEQ-DWaWd5pamuhBaTLGT0S4XlioxTL7TS7R2s _`׉	 7cassandra://WJg783TxTLVBBgCYVFdQv46h8qRY8xBQarLokWhehBQR`s׉	 7cassandra://KrBdCyun6RnxGoAV2bUfrk2L2GgNwkVxYMx7QHC7jB0E` ׉	 7cassandra://k8nBRixhCq7shqKD6MAEuYjxkpe-Oj7JhrkbqumWO-M3͠]`6i~<|~ נ`6i~<|V M̉9׉Hmailto:jm@acplastics.comGׁׁrנ`6i~<|W M&̚9׉Hmailto:sean@acplastics.comGׁׁrנ`6i~<|X MI̠9׉Hmailto:garret@acplastics.comGׁׁrנ`6i~<|Y 8̏9׉Hhttp://www.acplastics.com/Gׁׁrנ`6i~<|Z 8E̔9׉Hhttp://www.thinksign.com/Gׁׁrנ`6i~<|[ Iw9׉H (mailto:David.Wuellner@watchfiresigns.comGׁׁrנ`6i~<|\ I̙9׉H %mailto:Chris.White@watchfiresigns.comGׁׁrנ`6i~<|] M̼9׉H %mailto:Faye.Rowell@watchfiresigns.comGׁׁrנ`6i~<|^ 4̻9׉Hhttp://www.watchfiresigns.com/Gׁׁrנ`6i~<|_ 79׉H 'https://www.facebook.com/WatchfireSignsGׁׁrנ`6i~<|` v9׉H "https://twitter.com/WatchfireSignsGׁׁrנ`6i~<|a 9׉H @https://www.linkedin.com/company/watchfire-signs-by-time-o-maticGׁׁrנ`6i~<|b Ё99׉H (https://www.instagram.com/watchfiresignsGׁׁrנ`6i~<|c Io̮9׉Hmailto:MLawrenz@wwsign.comGׁׁrנ`6i~<|d 4̈9׉Hhttp://www.wwsign.com/Gׁׁrנ`6i~<| 8bl9ׁHhttp://www.altec.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<| P?̕9ׁHmailto:dan.brown@altec.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<| P̲9ׁHmailto:zachery.martin@altec.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<| 8̀9ׁHhttp://www.wwsign.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<| M̏9ׁHmailto:jleitzke@wwsign.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<| Mr̦9ׁHmailto:MLawrenz@wwsign.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<| Ӂ19ׁH (https://www.instagram.com/watchfiresignsׁׁЈנ`6i~<| 9ׁH *https://www.linkedin.com/company/watchfireׁׁЈנ`6i~<| z9ׁH "https://twitter.com/WatchfireSignsׁׁЈנ`6i~<| /9ׁH 'https://www.facebook.com/WatchfireSignsׁׁЈנ`6i~<| 8̳9ׁHhttp://www.watchfiresigns.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<| Q̿9ׁH %mailto:Faye.Rowell@watchfiresigns.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<| M̜9ׁH %mailto:Chris.White@watchfiresigns.comׁׁЈנ`6i~<| Mz9ׁH (mailto:David.Wuellner@watchfiresigns.comׁׁЈ׉EMany Thanks to our 2021-2021 Industry Partners !
(Advertising. Opportunities are still available for upcoming issues, website, and Sign EXPO and Fall Conference. Contact
the office for more information.)
A & C PLASTICS
Marshall McQuien (VP of Sales)
jm@acplastics.com
Sean Carroll (Asst Sales Mgr.)
sean@acplastics.com
Garret Hohman (Dir of Business Dev)
garret@acplastics.com
Warehouse:
3801 W. 25th Avenue
Schiller Park, IL 60176
713-645-4915
Mailing & Corporate Office:
6135 Northdale Street
Houston, TX 77087
713-358-6322
www.acplastics.com
Products: A&C Plastics is the nation’s premier plastics distributor boasting a very large in-stock inventory of plastic sheeting,
including, but not limited to, acrylic, polycarbonate, PVC and HDPE. A&C specializes in stocking colors, oversize sheets and thick
gauge material.
Area Served: Local delivery within the greater Chicago area. Nationwide shipping available.
RUNNION EQUIPMENT COMPANY
Pat Runnion (Owner)
6201 East Avenue
Hodgkins, IL 60525
800-824-6704
prunnion@runnionequipment.com
www.runnionequipment.com
SPONSOR
Companies represented:
National Crane, Palfinger, Tadano, Elliott, Manitex, Manitex SkyCrane, Trail King Trailers and Dur-a-Lift.
Area served: Central and northern Illinois, northwest Indiana, Wisconsin
THINKSIGN
Brian Lappin (SALES)
brian.lappin@thinksign.com
5680 Shepherdsville Rd
Louisville, KY 40228
502-909-5976
www.thinksign.com
Products: Founded in 1998, ThinkSIGN is the designer and manufacturer of one of the finest on-premise LED signs available.
Our superior design, stringent sourcing and quality control coupled with industry-leading software and support allow us that
claim. Headquartered in Louisville KY, ThinkSIGN has partners in all 50 states and a dedicated team of professionals to support any
project large or small.
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David Wuellner (Sales Director – Central Region)
David.Wuellner@watchfiresigns.com
Chris White (Northern Illinois Territory Manager)
Chris.White@watchfiresigns.com
Faye Rowell (Southern/Central Illinois Territory Manager)
Faye.Rowell@watchfiresigns.com
1015 Maple Street
Danville, IL 61832
800-637-2645
www.watchfiresigns.com
Products: Watchfire Signs designs and engineers the best looking, most durable outdoor LED signs and digital billboards to help
businesses and organizations increase visibility and drive growth. Headquartered in Danville, Ill., Watchfire has manufactured electric
signs since 1932 and LED signs, using meticulously sourced components from around the world, since 1998. Our products include
indoor and outdoor LED displays, fixed-digit and virtual scoreboards, gas price signs and digital billboards.
Areas served: Nationwide
Social Medi Links:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/WatchfireSigns
Twitter – https://twitter.com/WatchfireSigns
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/watchfire-signs-by-time-o-matic
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/watchfiresigns
SPONSOR
WORLD WIDE SIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
Mike Lawrenz (VP of Operations)
MLawrenz@wwsign.com
Jeremy Leitzke (Sales)
jleitzke@wwsign.com
P.O. Box 338
446 North Cecil Street
Bonduel, WI 54107
800-874-3334
www.wwsign.com
Products: Exclusively wholesale manufacturer of electric signs, pylons, monuments, custom signs, architectural signs, formed or
flexible faces, channel letters, routed products and digital prints.
Area served: North America & Caribbean
SPONSOR
ALTEC INDUSTRIES, INC.
Corporate Office:
2106 South Riverside Road
St. Joseph, MO 64507
Zac Martin (SR ACCT MGR)
zachery.martin@altec.com
508-745-3341
Dan Brown (ACCT MGR - ILLINOIS)
dan.brown@altec.com
317-793-0884
www.altec.com
Products: Aerial Devices, Cranes, Digger Derricks for the sign industry.
Area served: Nationwide
SPONSOR
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Corporate Office:
commercial@daktronics.com
201 Daktronics Drive
P.O. Box 5128
Brookings, SD 57006-5128
888-325-7446
www.daktronics.com
METOMIC CORPORATION
Paul Bernstein
paul@metomic.com
2944 West 26th Street
Chicago, IL 60623
773-247-4716
SPONSOR
www.capsandstandoffs.com
Products: Sign standoffs in anodized brushed aluminum and polished chrome. MADE IN AMERICA
Area served: Worldwide
WEITZ SIGN COMPANY
Mike Weitz (PRES)
2400 Kerper Boulevard
Dubuque, IA 52001
563-556-5316
Fax 563-582-8064
mike@weitzsign.com
SPONSOR
www.weitzsign.com
Products: Wholesale channel letters, flat cut letters, custom fabrication, extruded signs, architectural signs, neon.
Area Served: Nationwide
Digital Edition viewable on www.ISA-sign.com.
The Official Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association February 2021
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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The Official Newsletter of the Illinois Sign Association February 2021
SPECIAL EDITION - 2020 Sign Design Award Winners
2020 Sign Design Award Sponsors
PROUD TO BE A
STATE AFFILIATE
OF THE
https://signresearch.org/www.signs.org
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2021 Sign Design
Awards Program
Presented in the Fall of 2021 during the
Fall Education Conference & Industry Awards Event
No fee to enter!
Underwritten by the Allied Trades of the ISA!
Here is your call to showcase excellence, quality, and innovation with your team’s
ideas, achievements & talents! Unlimited entries per company.
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 eight 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 Fall Education Conference & Industry
Awards Program selected by the awards committee in advance. “Best of the Best” will be
selected by ballot from all attendees at the fall conference.
$500 Cash Prize!
The Best of the Best winner will receive a $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 2021 Member Directory!
Winners of each category be presented an attractive trophy. 2nd
and 3rd
receive colorful certificates.
CATEGORIES:
1. Illuminated Signage and Sign Systems
2. Non-Illuminated Signage and interior or exterior Sign Systems
3. Exposed Neon and Faux Neon
4. Commercial Signage
5. Vehicle Graphics
6. Restored or Rehabilitated Existing Sign
7. Humorous Sign
8. COVID-19 Innovation
place winner will
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Contact Phone:
2020 Sign Design Awards Program
Awards Nomination Submittal- No fee to enter.
Designer’s Name
Email:
Is this an in-house design?  Yes  No (If no, indicate name below)
Design Firm
Client
Category
Date Installed
Description (materials used, special effects, unique features/challenges, innovations, etc.)
Award Categories:
Entries must include digital images as requested below.
1. Illuminated Signage and Sign Systems (include illuminated and non-illuminated day and night photos)
2. Non-Illuminated Signage and interior or exterior Sign Systems
3. Exposed Neon and Faux Neon (include illuminated and non-illuminated photos)
4. Commercial Signage (digitally printed graphics, showcards, window lettering, real estate signs, etc.)
5. Vehicle Graphics
6. Restored or Rehabilitated Existing Sign (BEFORE and AFTER photos are REQUIRED. At least one photo of each
entry should be taken from a distance to portray the sign’s relationship to the surroundings or building)
7. Humorous Sign
8. COVID-19 Innovation Award (New, and hopefully only one year…A clever, innovative, response to the market
during the crazy era of a pandemic)
 Entries must be submitted by sign company members of ISA and must be constructed and/or designed by the ISA sign company
member submitting the entry.
 Sign companies may enter all categories listed above with no limit on the number of entries.
However, the same entry may not be used for different categories.
 No identification regarding the sign manufacturer may appear in the photo.
 Entries become property of, and reproduction rights are granted to, the Illinois Sign Association.
ISA reserves the right to retain all images.
 Contest entries will be limited to those signs installed after January 1, 2020.
Signs must not have been previously entered in the ISA Sign Design Awards Program.
 Judging criteria will be based on…
(A) Overall design—15-point maximum
(B) Selection and use of materials—5-point maximum
(C ) Compatibility of the design with its intended application—10-point maximum.
 Judging will be done by a panel of representatives serving the Illinois Sign Industry.
Please email your nomination submittal form with photos by August 15, 2021 to the ISA.
E: signdesignawards@isa-sign.com  T: 312-881-9920
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