I never thought I would

[Erik Sine]

I never did think I ever would .....and that is, join a sign association. 

Yep, I know I told you all I have no desire and don't ever look for it in your lifetime.

Well, something changed.  New comers who might not be up to speed I created a topic here "A New Sign Association"  basically calling for a new sign association, one that will put more attention to OUR needs and that is the electric sign industry.  As some of you have already seen, there are multiple USSC Sign Association Banners all around this site popping up as well as the weekly newsletters.

The USSC....I have to admit, prior to my joining I didn't know much about them or their history, and I'm still learning.  I knew they had a show on the east coast, but to be honest I never did go even though some members here had encouraged that I should.  But, because it's on the east coast and right between Thanksgiving and Christmas it made it hard.  Hard because December I have my wife's birthday,as well as three of my kids AND our Anniversary all within 30 days of Christmas.  Needless to say, I'm POOR come January.

So, one day I got a call from the President of USSC, he wanted to advertise on the SS and wanted to know how.  Later on in that phone conversation he asked me if I would be interested in joining the board, and take on a new "experience" .  I told him I would have to get back to him.  I wasn't sure about the time involved as I already run basically 2 business's and the SS is my first love.  I talked it over with Kgirl, asked what she thought.  She was more concerned with more of my time being pulled away from family life.  I get that, the SS already pulls me away.

There were some key points that stuck in my head from my conversation as well as the word "experience".  I like to have new experiences.

The USSC is also the last man standing in any form of an independent sign association.  ISA wanted to gobble them up too along with all the others but they declined the offer.  Which is key to me.

My big concern has always been one thing when it comes to this trade, and that is the integrity of the electric sign industry.  It's completely ignored, forgotten, but most of all it's dangerously mis-characterized.

 

So, I found it wasn't that much time intrusive, I'm not day to day operations as what concerned me the most, I just don't have that much time to do all three.  Most of the time when someone asks me for help, I generally will. So, what the hell, I'll give it a shot.  My purpose for joining is to bring the needs of the electric sign industry into the light and into focus, I'm only doing this for the industry, and for a short time, the someone else can have a go

 

The makeup of USSC is mainly small sign shop business owners and employees, nothing large and intrusive, and I knew that coming in. Which to me is inviting.   I wouldn't say it's focus is the electric sign trade but their are plenty of members that are, not so much on the makeup of the board.

It's obvious my reputation precedes me a little with the makeup of the board, and be that as it may, you're not going to get one without the other when it comes to me.

What I do like about the USSC is there are those that are open to something new, and a feeling of America first attitude, less globalism unlike ISA.

So...I've been busy the last couple of weeks with work and this site with upgrades and haven't had too much time to spend with USSC, and this article came to my attention via the USSC

https://sdgmag.com/features/switching-over-led

I read it, and considering the source it's no surprise.  This is one of the brochure magazines I've been talking about here for years.....years as you all know.  Cheap brochure articles written by component manufacturers who lease the keyboard from the magazine editor, or are offered the keyboard in the form of obligation pieces for thanks in advertising money.  We all know, it's just pure garbage of a desperate magazine looking for anyone to fill it with content without ever fact checking.

This article alone enabled me to open up and answer the reason why I'm on the USSC, one of thee only sole purposes, minus a few I'll get into at a later time.

We're left with few choices right now, there are those who want to start a new sign association and I'm pretty sure those plans are still in place and slowly moving forward that address the electric sign industry, or put some focus on something that's already established, tweak it, put some oil here and there a few modifications and BOOM!   Right now I'm putting my efforts towards the USSC because I see potential and I see a little bit of fire in their belly, but it needs some more coal shoved in to get some heat going.

 

So.....this is my purpose and what I'm pushing for at the moment.  Pushing the interests of the electric sign industry first.  What is that interest?

Well, it's the kind of points YOU and I have always been discussing for years.  Preserving this trade, protecting our heritage and traditions and putting out the real facts and figures about light sources and educating the industry, architects, designers, and most importantly the consumers.

It's the content you've only been able to find on here The Sign Syndicate.

Developing content that dispels the myths and mis-characterizations of this industry's light sources, LED's, Fluorescent and Neon Lamps.  The strengths & weakness, the pro's and con's, and how they are affected by the environment, installation and application factors.  Educating the user and consumer that all light sources have their place and cutting through the outsiders & manufacturer marketing claims and statements that have been damaging to one of this industry's longest traditions, Neon.  Whether you use Neon or not, it is apart of this industry's heritage and it's been under assault for years with no sign association to EVER step in.  Some basic physical models/tests need to be developed for all to evaluate, test and most importantly "measure".

I'm not talking about the more in depth reports we put out here on products, but a basic platform needs to be developed.  Because if it's not, then it's the same as condoning the claims that are not only damaging to our heritage but also damaging to historic sites and structures 

 

So, it leads me to this.  those that participate here on a regular basis can help out this Association.  No, I'm not talking about writing a check and joining up, that needs to be earned.  What I am asking you to do is contact them and let them know you're concerned as well, and that you would like to see content like i just discussed put into place and acted on.  You're concerned about our historic landmark signs that are slowly disappearing because of Light Source manufacturers that are going to the cities and giving them a misleading power point presentation to replace a light source with one (Theirs) that will never last as long, nor look the same and you want someone there to represent this industry to counter back with facts & figures, not interfere but be able to present the true facts and figures based on what this industry can truly do and can't do, and leave it up to local communities and municipals, BUT they have to have someoene that will be able to provide those tools backed up with resources and studies. 

After all, who should decision makers, consumer, architects and designers believe?  Manufacturers who have a sale to be made who present them with this industries god awful trade rag articles written by vendors but are asked to believe them because after all, if it's in print it must be true.  Or believe a electric sign association data and studies/models, who's make up is that of individuals and companies that build the actual products made up of all light sources, and the backing of lighting and electrical engineers?

 

Well, here's your chance.  I'd like you to take some time out for YOUR industry and call the USSC and express your concerns at 215.785.1922 or email them at ussc@ussc.org

 

 

 

[paul321]

 

Congratulations and best wishes.

 A Professional Sign Industry with talented craftsmen and professional people is the priority.  Nothing Less.

[Brian]

The dark side force is strong