Success Starts in Orlando

Why do you attend trade shows? There are a multitude of reasons, but they all boil down to two points: networking and education. And this year's ISA International Sign Expo in Orlando give you the opportunity to get out of the office and see all new technology and innovations on display that will drive your company and career forward.

But what are you looking forward to the most? For ISA president Lori Anderson, it was hard to decide what would be the biggest draw for the upcoming Expo. "It’s always hard to pinpoint just one thing, especially with the diversity of our industry. The expo floor is larger than we had last year—and the 2011 show floor was one of the largest in many years. So I have no doubt that everyone will find new opportunities to expand their businesses," says Anderson. "That said, I think there is a growing realization that digital—both in electronic signage and imaging—presents a tremendous opportunity for our industry. We have much to offer in this new—and rapidly expanding field. Digital electronic signage offers a significant avenue of new business and digital imaging has new ink and media solutions constantly appearing. It also offers new avenues of opportunity for printers to expand their business offerings."

And in line with that, ISA is offering several educational sessions devoted to each of these topics—and the products are sure to be on the trade show floor. As a matter of fact, this year's educational sessions include more than 75 courses over 13 distinct tracks. (Go here to search for sessions.)

Digital Signage

As Anderson mentioned above, one change this year is the focus on the rapidly expanding field of digital dynamic signage. At ISA, the Digital Signage Federation (DSF) has developed educational sessions to introduce the technology and business concepts and benefits of digital signage to ISA attendees.

Alan Brawn, DSF chairman, will lead a team of digital signage industry professionals that will provide a curriculum of instruction for the attendees at the ISA show. The curriculum will consist of introductory concepts, technology overviews, and discussions about the business side of digital signage. DSF will also have a floor presence at the ISA, encouraging attendees to learn more about the elements of digital signage, ideas on partnering or working with companies already in the digital signage space, and how they can gain more knowledge through resources such as the Digital Signage Expo and the Digital Signage Experts Group.

“I am thankful for the opportunity the ISA has given to the DSF to help educate the traditional static sign industry about how their members can grow their own businesses by expanding their business models to incorporate digital signage. We believe that digital signage complements the traditional sign industry and offers sign companies an exciting new service opportunity to meet the growing needs of their clients,” said Brawn. “There are plenty of opportunities for traditional sign companies to engage with existing electronic digital signage providers or develop their own services.”

“We hope that interested ISA attendees will not only learn how digital signage can benefit them in their current businesses, but will also recognize and act on the expansive opportunities to educate themselves about digital signage through certification programs like the Digital Signage Experts Group, trade shows like the Digital Signage Expo, and our organization, the DSF,” said Brian Gorg, DSF executive director.

Workplace Safety

Educational sessions about workplace safety issues have also been expanded, making another unique track within ISA"s educational offerings. Edwin Foulke, former head of OSHA, will lead three sessions: Handling an OSHA Inspection; Avoiding the New Enforcement-Driven OSHA; and Moving to Zero Injuries. Joel Oliva from the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) will detail the mobile crane operator safety certification program.