buckeye

Basically, we wanted to try something new. Which is a regular part of our Expo planning each and every year. But changes to registration management company or our event programming or education scheduling/pricing tend to be less noticeable to attendees than switching the days of the week. Traditionally, I think that we believed that some people couldn't attend during the workweek and so Saturday show hours would draw additional attendees. But I am told that the numbers may not have borne that out as much as expected--and some attendees/exhibitors likely prefer to have their weekends free. So we will see if Wednesday-Friday works well for this year. (BTW, I should note that I don't know if this is just a one-year experiment. Not my department. ?)

Quick reminder that the days of the ISA Sign Expo have shifted for 2019. This year, the exhibit hall is open from Wednesday, April 24-Friday, April 26 (with education sessions starting on Tuesday, April 23). In recent years, the exhibit hall was open Thursday-Saturday (with education sessions starting on Wednesday).

Rocco (and others encountering 2014 NEC issues), There is a commonly-encountered problem in how the provisions of 600.6 are interpreted by the AHJs. Much of that has occurred because of the specific language that appeared in the 2014 NEC. The 2014 code language isn't wrong, it just was written in a way that allows some inspectors to draw conclusions with which we strongly object. (BTW, I should note that most of the 2014 problems were addressed in the 2017 code language. But state adoption of the NEC varies, some states only update every other cycle, and so some communities will be stuck with the 2014 code for several years.) Basically, you should take a look at 600.6 as it appears in several editions of the NEC. (BTW, disconnect language was the featured subject for ISA/IAEI/UL at the ISA Expo Electrical Codes Forum this past March.) 2011 version: 600.6 Disconnects has an introductory paragraph, followed by two exceptions. Then comes (A) Location (1) Within Sight of the Sign; and (2) Within Sight of the Controller 2014 version: 600.6 Disconnects has an identical introductory paragraph, followed by two exceptions and (A) Location. But new (1) At Point of Entry to a Sign Enclosure, followed by renumbered (2) Within Sight of the Sign; and (3) Within Sight of the Controller. 2017 version: 600.6 Disconnects has an (almost) identical introductory paragraph, followed by two exceptions and a new informational note. Then (A) Location with an added sentence "The disconnecting means shall be permitted to be located in accordance with 600.6(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3)". Followed by (1) At Point of Entry to a Sign Enclosure, (2) Within Sight of the Sign; and (3) Within Sight of the Controller--all of which have some added or modified language. That new sentence (before discussing the three locations) steers AHJs away from concluding that "At Point of Entry to a Sign Enclosure" is the mandatory design. It certainly appears that some AHJs didn't recognize in the 2014 NEC that (1), (2), & (3) were equally acceptable options. The first response to that problem is to correct or improve the code language, (which occurred in the 2017 code cycle. The second response is to educate AHJs as best we can. We have created handouts and other materials that ISA has used when we exhibit at IAEI section meetings. (I just attended the IAEI Southern Section meting 2-3 weeks ago.) The third response is to try to assist sign companies when they encounter challenges from the local inspector. That can be difficult due to the wide latitude given to the AHJs interpretation. We have seen some success in convincing inspectors to look to the 2017 code for greater clarity. Or at the rationale statements submitted along with public input proposals during the 2017 NEC cycle. But it is a struggle. And probably will be for awhile.

Twice. (Before the earlier announced November 2014 and November 2017 deadlines). Each time to correct a technical flaw in the language of the rule. One important difference between those extensions and the current situation is that we haven't seen the same indicators that another delay is being discussed. (Changing a federal rulemaking is like turning around an oceanliner; it takes a long time and an observer usually can see signals leading up to the actual course change.) OSHA has an advisory panel of stakeholders (employers, unions, trainers, state inspectors) called the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health. ACCSH had a meeting in December 2013, where they recommended delaying the November 2014 implementation. (Even though the official delay wasn't published in the Federal Register until September 26, 2014). ACCSH had another meeting in June 2017, where they recommended delaying the November 2017 implementation. (Even though the official delay wasn't proposed until August 30, 2017 and published in final form in the Federal Register until November 9, 2017--one day before the deadline.) ACCSH has not met since before the 2017 delay. And it is not scheduled to meet anytime before November 2018. So, if there is going to be another delay in 2018, it has not followed the path usually taken (including by the current administration just last year.) And that includes no mention in the current semiannual federal regulatory agenda (OSHA and all other agencies are required to disclose major rulemaking actions likely to occur in the following six months).

Based on a report from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, this was not an employee of a sign company. "Roger Dinneen, an employee of Wahoo’s Restaurant, was reportedly working..." Still terrible.

Didn't know that Raul Rodriguez passed away. I always loved the "champagne glasses" that were integrated into the Flamingo.

A similar project happened back in 2003 in New Mexico (http://www.rt66nm.org/new/preservation/restoration.html). In 2008(?), I attended a Society for Commercial Archaeology conference in Albuquerque that featured a great presentation/walking tour with Absolutely Neon's Robert Randazzo and the city planner who oversaw the Central Avenue portion of the project. One of the real limitations of that effort was the fact that (5 years later) many of the restored signs were associated with businesses that were marginally successful (or lost money). So it was a real struggle to keep those businesses operating (and the signs illuminated).

I attended the premiere at the Renwick yesterday afternoon. Very well done...about 75 minutes long. Just finished editing in the last few days. Standing room only. I'd guess that the crowd was about 250. (Decent number could be identified as connected to either signshops, graphic designers, folks in other creative arts, or otherwise connected to one of the people profiled in the film.) The companion book is excellent as well (available through Princeton Architectural Press). Screenings are upcoming during May/June in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, and Vancouver.

I'm really excited to see this tomorrow. (It's screening at the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery here in DC)

Glad you are planning your event already! Hopefully I will be able to attend (ISA staff won't know where/when we are scheduled during off-floor hours until March. I just wanted to address one thing. The size of the ISA Expo floor is growing each year--and it is growing even if you limit the numbers only to domestic companies. We have grown 17% with our domestic exhibitors over the last 3 years.

I apologize for not replying sooner, but I was tied up all day with a planners' seminar. The following paragraph represents the viewpoint of ISA: While ISA encourages open dialogue on its online message boards, we are committed to acting in the best interests of our industry. We reserve the right to monitor the conversations that occur within our social media networks to ensure we are in compliance with applicable antitrust laws. We cannot facilitate or provide a forum for discussions about payment, pricing, boycotts or any other conversations that violate such laws. The antitrust laws apply not only to associations and their members, but also to companies that are not association members and apply in all forums, electronic or otherwise. Violations of antitrust laws could result in severe consequences, including fines of up to $100 million and prison terms of up to ten years for those who violate these laws. <now speaking for me> While ISA cannot limit or adjust what conversations or dialogue occurs among other individuals in other locations, we will not be a part of those discussions and we believe that anyone who engages in those types of discussions (especially in an archived electronic forum) is exposing themselves to significant legal liability. Other trade associations have been hit hard by the USDOJ for merely being present in the room while pricing and other contractual matters were discussed. It's not worth it for ANY responsible association or group, no matter the industry or who is leading the organization. Kenny Peskin

:) No, the price did not drop this year. I will be around all three days. During most of the show hours I will be in the ISA booth (which is in the back center this year and not near the main entrance), manning the "Code Experts" station along with Bill Dundas.

I noted the exhibit space numbers in my first post. Basically, there is an increase of 32,000 square feet currently sold for the 2011 Expo over the final numbers for the 2009 show.

Our room block only captures people who (1) register through our website when they registered for the Expo; or (2) register through the hotels/aggregators websites, but also registered for the Expo. Folks staying at Mandalay/Luxor/Excalibur but not attending our show are not included in our totals.

I don't know much at all about attendee demographics, not being involved in any of the marketing or tradeshow meetings. One good source of some basic information can be found in our Exhibitor Prospectus (2011 version) Of course the profile of attendees is different in Orlando and in Vegas. For example, Vegas captures more international attendees from mexico and Orlando draws better from Ontario/Quebec. And plenty of drive-in attendees only come to one show location, but regularly return every second year.

Actually, the numbers are up considerably from 2009 (Vegas) and 2010 (Orlando). (I believe that 2007 Vegas was our largest show ever, and probably will retain the title. This year will probably finish as ISA's 2nd largest show.) The 2009 show's final numbers were 163K square feet of exhibit space (522 exhibiting companies). The 2010 final numbers were 160K of exhibit space (473 companies). The current numbers* for 2011 show 195K square feet of exhibit space among 557 exhibiting companies. (* = Final numbers tend to bump up a little bit because some companies choose to add the show at the very last minute. Why this happens, I don't know, but it happens each year. And very few drop out at this point b/c the exhibit space is already paid for.) I don't have access to all the current attendee and housing numbers, but I know that as of 4 weeks out, our registered attendance is on par with 2009 and room reservations in our hotel block (Mandalay, Luxor, Excalibur) is up 16% over 2009. (Of course, I will note a huge caution in looking at attendee numbers because each year a very large percentage of attendees registers very close to the show start. Whether that is linked to exhibitor's marketing the free trade show passes or another factor, I don't know.)

I asked Tracey for clarification: "The $195 covers the written exam. Fees for the practical exam are $60 for one crane type." Hopefully, the program announcement will have more details to answer some of these questions. (As I don't work much on the technical or education end of things, I don't have the answers myself.)

This actually is somewhat timely with an announcement that ISA should be making in the next few days. ISA is currently updating its program to meet the requirements of the new OSHA rule. (Obviously, sign companies located in some states need certification now, while the rest of the US has until 2014 to comply.) A schedule with training locations is in the process of being developed and will be available soon. Fees for training for the ISA program are set at $349 for ISA members and $549 for non-members. There will be an additional fee of $195 to sit for the certification test. The first session of the course is scheduled for January 19 – 21 in Chicago, Illinois – followed immediately with the exam in the same location on January 22. More details will be available shortly (when the education and technical folks have the news release ready for distribution). For questions about ISA's crane certification program, please contact Tracey Cook at tracey.cook@signs.org.

I am not the best person to speak about WSA or on their behalf, but Jerry Righthouse has been the Executive Director for more than 20 years. He runs the WSA office out of Westminster, Colorado. Tom Sellers (from Luminous Neon in Wichita) either is the WSA president or was until this week. (IIRC, the WSA annual meeting is going on this week out in Nevada.) WSA's public website

For 2010, both the Attendee Registration Form and the Free Tradeshow Pass form allowed attendees to opt-out from (email list) distribution to ISA Expo exhibitors. On both forms, this box was listed under section #1 "Contact Information". I am not sure where the opt-out was located on signexpo.org, as the registration portion of that site is offline during the summer months. (I do not have access to any statistics on the percentage of attendees that opted out.) This change was made for 2010 in part as a response to negative feedback received after email-blasting that followed the 2009 Expo. And I believe that this "opt-out" box will continue to be present for the 2011 Expo. --Kenny Peskin ISA Manager of State and Local Government Affairs (703) 836-4012

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Happy Hour! Erik, thanks for planning it; it was wonderful to see you and Kirstie again. And it was nice to finally meet Marco and Garrett and everyone else who turned out. I wish I didn't have to dine and dash to catch my plane back to the snowbanks of DC. But nothing comes between me and a lousy night's sleep on the redeye. :) Hope to see you guys in Orlando (at least those who are willing to travel to the land of Disney and humidity)! --Kenny

I don't have any photos. (And those photos were taken by the architecture firm for marketing purposes) I also don't know the details of the construction, as I wasn't involved in that process. Until this article was published, I didn't even know the name of the architect. As to the locations, LEDs were used at the insert for the reception desk (blue) and the insert in the kitchen counter (green). Neon was used for the wall behind the reception desk (blue), the wall behind our sign by the front door (blue), and ceiling lighting next to the glass wall in two rooms (both green).

You are right – the new ISA offices are not boring! I should know – I work there. We are so fortunate as the space would not have been possible without the generous donations from many of our members. LED lighting, neon, wall graphics, window graphics and signage are all showcased and used in this beautiful but simple space. Without these contributions from ISA members the office would have been just walls – but now the headquarters for this industry portrays to our visitors just how awesome the industry really is. Please, whether you are an ISA member or not, come by and visit when you are in the area. For more information on our new offices, check out the 3 stories that ran in Signs of the Times – July 2008, May 2009 and November 2009.

I never thought a rimshot could be heard 2500 miles away...

I will be there, presenting the Friday afternoon program "You Can Work with City Hall".