thermoform

With the new ADA kicking in this March, a new and better way of making tactile signs!! Oh, wait! That's me! :) I won't have a booth this year, but I'll have a client or two there to show them off!!

This topic came up on ISA's LinkedIn discussion board... The gentleman was complaining about the creativity of exhibitors and why nothing much has changed. Some of my answers on the subject... I went to the show on Thursday night. To be fair, the show is less than half the size it was only 10-15 years ago. I think there is some "location fatigue" at work. Same city, same venue, same marketing approach every year. It hasn't changed since the Internet and it's no longer a must-see show like it was in the mid-90's. I remember when Sign World was the premier show in the Northeast and drew attendees from manup and down the coast, as well as overseas. Might be time for a fresh location and marketing approach. -and- I don't think it's a question of showing the same old product. It's more a question of where to invest marketing and travel dollars on new product. There are so many avenues available now compared to where we were back in the 90's. Atlantic City, for all the updates and improvements in infrastructure, simply cannot sustain itself as an attractive annual "off season" venue. It's isolated, hard to get to if you have to fly in and the city has little to offer in December outside casino action and the show itself. If USSC wants to focus on the Northeast (since ISA doesn't at all), then how about Boston or Washington DC? Expand the Bullpen significantly on the show floor to include a greater range of "how to" product demonstrations that are more relevant to bigger shops. Offer exhibitors more creative ways to help explain and sell their products and the show becomes more valuable to exhibitors and attendees alike. -and- I used to exhibit in AC every year, so I understand exactly what you are saying about the same old, same old. As a trade show veteran, Sign World was always in my top three venues to exhibit. Today, it wouldn't crack my top ten. This show has been been on a death spiral for years. The exhibitors that have stuck with USSC through this decline should be praised for keeping the show alive, not criticized for showing their most tried and true product. Criticise the companies that weren't there. The exhibitors from last week's show should at least be given the opportunity to communicate with you so they can give you a full range of offerings and win some of your business. It's up to USSC to do something about their tired show format and location before their most loyal exhibitors give up on it as well.

I would love to know how many of you are currently manufacturing tactile signs with photopolymer. Actually, any method you use would qualify for this discussion. I want to know what are some of the problems you've had (from supply, vendor support to product performance). I supplied photopolymer to the industry for over 14 years, installing systems in over 500 plants. I've seen almost every form of manufacturing along the way. I've also experienced the problems first hand. There aren't may outlets for honest discussion. I believe The Sign Syndicate changes that. Let's hear it!