ISA International Sign Expo held from April 20-22 2017 is in the record books. The sign, graphics and visual communications’ industry’s leading event, which closed in Las Vegas, broke attendance record.
ISA Sign Expo is the largest gathering of sign and graphics professionals, has the best exhibits offering new technology, and helps sign companies make valuable connections cords. In all, more than 20,500 saw the latest products across the breadth of the industry.
In addition to overall attendance, ISA International Sign Expo 2017 blew past projections for education events, surpassing previous records by nearly 40 percent. The 210,000-square-foot trade show floor included nearly 600 exhibitors and sold out months in advance. When the trade show doors opened, dozens remained on a waiting list, hoping to exhibit.
A number of co-located events also saw record attendance, including the National Sign Research and Education Conference (NSREC), which joined ISA International Sign Expo for the first time. NSREC, sponsored by the Sign Research Foundation (SRF), brought academics, students, researchers, planners and designers for discussions on creating sign systems within the public process, developing reasonable sign codes and future technologies within the industry. NSREC was completely sold out, with attendance 220 percent higher than the previous record.
The XDP program brought architects, designers, buyers and end users to ISA International Sign Expo while the ISA Elite included 34 young professionals in the industry.
“There is no doubt that ISA International Sign Expo is the only trade show that brings together the breadth of the sign, graphics and visual communications industry and those who influence it,” said Lori Anderson, ISA president and CEO. “Every minute of the four-day education and trade show offered opportunities to make valuable connections, learn groundbreaking ideas and see innovative products and services to help businesses grow.”
Adding to the excitement on the tradeshow floor was a number of product introductions, ranging from groundbreaking print innovations to the latest in workflow solutions and LED lighting.
“Getting to see these innovations in action can propel businesses and the industry forward,” Anderson said. “It is early enough in the year that sign, graphics and visual communications companies can capture these innovations to make 2017 one of their best yet.”
The show featured Innovations Awards Nominees and Winners, amongst three categories and listed nominees just 3 winners emerged.
PRINT CATEGORY
3M Booth #1345 3M™ Print Wrap Film IJ180mC-120 Introducing the first ever printable metallic wrap film to give vehicles a high-tech, attention-grabbing finish: 3MTMPrint Wrap Film IJ180mC-120. It features Comply™ Adhesive with micro technology to provide excellent air release for smooth, bubble-free results. It’s formulated for enhanced slide ability and optimized initial tack for faster, easier installations. Along with excellent liner release, the film stretches up to 130 percent without primer and without lifting. 3M Print Wrap Film IJ180mC films are available in 48”, 54”, and 60”- wide rolls, so wrappers can easily cover vehicle sections without seams. |
ELECTRONIC AND TRADITIONAL SIGNAGE CATEGORY
Component Signage, Inc. Booth #2381 Inciseon The Inciseon brand currently consists of two main product lines; Inciseon Skeletonized and Inciseon Integral. Inciseon Skeletonized is the product that mimics the look of traditional neon, but with the added benefits of being lower voltage/energy efficient, is easily made using common materials, and has extreme durability (we have even run the product over with our 9,500lb forklift which left no damage). Other products have been released in the past that have attempted to mimic traditional skeleton neon, but none are able to bend and contour to the same tight tolerances that glass neon (and now Inciseon) can. Also with the nature of the technology, the light source is very close to the surface which allows for unprecedented brightness, which is yet another aspect where previous products have fallen short. The Inciseon Integral line expands the neon look to another dimension that traditional neon has never been able to accomplish. Instead of Skeletonized where the product is attached to a wall, panel, cabinet, or some other surface, Inciseon Integral embeds the illumination directly into the substrate. This allows the technology to be implanted into virtually any material which allows the product to be used in a much wider range of applications than traditional neon. The Integral product line also allows the patent pending idea to take on other forms and appearances than traditional neon. Signs that typically require a minimum 3″ deep sign cabinet (which requires metal fabrication) that has internal LED’s illuminating routed faces can now be achieved with much thinner substrates using the Inciseon Integral product technology. The product has also been verified for the UL Green Label certification which is a testament to its energy efficiency, which only further reduces the end users costs of the sign. |
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS AND SOFTWARE CATEGORY
Onyx Graphics Booth #2375 ONYX 12.1 software is built upon a foundation of accelerated speed & performance, a simplified user interface, enhanced automation & finishing tools to do more in less time. Using an all 64-bit platform across RIP & applications, ONYX 12.1 produces benchmark RIP & data transfer speeds, increasing productivity and profits. Avoid wasted sheet media with an intuitive user interface & visual nesting previews plus our integrated G7 process improves gray color for output consistency across devices & applications. Users can easily automate job preparation with finishing tools for media, bleed, grommet marks, art, trim or crop boxes with Quicksets without having to redesign original artwork. |
To capitalize on the growth, ISA has announced that its 2018 event will include more trade show floor space than ever before when it returns to Orlando.
ISA International Sign Expo 2018 will be March 21-24 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Registration will open in the fall.