We all like something for free right? What if the users of this website were given the opportunity to attend next weekend's CONSAC Show in Toronto at no cost. That's a saving of 10 bucks per person!
There's more! At this year's show, Letterheads have been given a spot to showoff and demonstrate that traditional signmaking is alive and well. Letterheads involved in the Bullpen include René Giroux, Pierre Tardif, Steve Thomas Greer, Pete & Marj Payne, Nancy Beaudette, Noella Cotnam and Tramp Warner. It's a win win situation for all. CONSAC has a great incentive for more of us to show up and we have a chance to demonstrate that small traditional shops are still the backbone of the sign industry.
Bob Bronk of the Sign Association of Canada deserves some recognition for his efforts and determination to make this happen. I haven't been a big fan of big sign associations in the past. As a former Mom and Dad traditional type sign shop, these trade shows, along with the exhibitors seemed to be moving in a whole different direction than we were. I felt out of place in a world of high tech equiptment, suits, and strange products. Finding the One Shot booth was bliss!
When Bob Bronk phoned the other day, I was my usual cynical self at first. Over the years, a few negative experiences had left me with a chip on my shoulder. Bob gave me an opportunity to vent and try to explain what Letterheads were all about, and the impression many of us share about not having a voice in today's corporate sign industry. I'm convinced Bob recognizes our concerns and is sincerely interested in promoting more recognition and understanding of the small sign shop. I can't argue with that. Supporting this show is a good start.
The Sign Association Of Canada has a website with all the show details at www.sac-ace.ca/consac
To register in advance and obtain your free admission, click on the On-Line Registration link and fill out the form. In the Admission Pricing area you will see a Free Trade Show Pass box. Letterville users are guests of Bob Bronk and the Sign Association Of Canada. Type their Exhibitor Code Number into the box. The number is 404.
I've heard rumours of a bunch of us getting together for supper and whatever on Friday night. With Pierre around, you know that's going to be an event in itself. Wear socks to avoid having your toenails painted. See you there.
Posted by Jon Aston (Member # 1725) on :
I would like to join up with the Letterhead contingent...where/when is everyone meeting?
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
I'm just guessing, but the Letterhead BullPen seems like the most obvious area to meet. See you there Jon.
Looking over the Exhibitor's List, I see a few companys that have supported Letterville as Merchants for many years. This would be a great chance to meet their reps personally and let them know we appreciate their interest in the users of Letterville.
Here's the list, along with their booth number and contact info. Please let us know if we have missed anyone.
Canadian Signcrafters Supply Booth # 219
Sales Contact: Marj Payne 75580 Wildwood Line South Bayfield ON N0M 1G0 Tel: (519) 565-5500 Toll Free Tel: (800) 663-9753 Fax: (519) 565-5553 Toll Free Fax: (888) 663-9755 E-mail: cansign@tcc.on.ca Web site: www.signcraftersupply.com
Product/Service Profile:
You supply the talent, we will bring the supplies!! Consumable products for everyday sign shop use, everything from the traditional brushes and paint to vinyl and digital media products. Roland Equipment, cutting mats, Sign Foam, Educational books. All the best clip art.
Sales Contact: Peter Brimmer 373 John St Neustadt ON N0G 2M0 Tel: (519) 799-5952 Toll Free Tel: (800) 265-0426 Fax: (519) 799-5954 Email: canada@signletters.com Web site: www.signletters.com Branches: Gemini Incorporated, Cannon Falls, MN USA, Gemini Mexico S.A. de C.V, Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas Mexico
Product/Service Profile:
Gemini manufactures dimensional letters, logos and plaques for the sign industry. Products include: formed plastic letters and logos; injection moulded plastic letters; laser cut plastic letters and logos; cast metal letters and waterjet cut metal letters and logos in several finishes including oxidized, anodized and patina; aluminum and bronze architectural plaques; etched plaques in stainless, steel, bronze, brass and copper; injection moulded channel letters and faces; Gemlite trimmed letters; trimcap; changeable copy letters, track and accessories; theatre marquee letters and frames; and gas pricing numerals.
Car 'n' Truck Collection 2004 - 8400+ scaled vehicle outlines. New Vehicle Graphics CDs - 9 great collections of vinyl-ready images. Sign & Design Concepts - create new company logos within seconds. Sign Design Clipart and Graphics - 1000s of sign templates and more. Signmaker’s Font Collection - fonts with 3D-Effects that can be cut in vinyl. How-to-Tutorials – easy-to-follow and step-by-step tutorials from real professional signmakers. And much more - ask for show specials!!!
Sales Contact: Kurt Wenzel 4309 Steeles Ave. West Downsview ON M3N 1V7 Tel: (416) 663-6416 Toll Free Tel: (888) NDGRAPH (634-7274) Fax: (416) 663-5629 Email: kwenzel@ndgraphics.com Web site: www.ndgraphics.com Branches: Ottawa, Montreal, Dartmouth, Toronto, London, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary & Vancouver
Product/Service Profile:
Canada’s leading supplier to the graphics industry, for equipment and materials, entry level signmaking through outdoor durable printing, to photographic reproduction and digital die-cut finishing. ND Graphics truly offers something for everyone.
Sales Contact: Don Ross 15363 Barranca Pkwy Irvine CA 92618 USA Tel: (705) 726-7264 Toll Free Tel: (800) 542-2307 Fax: (705) 726-7574 Email: donross@rolandcanada.com Web site: www.rolanddga.com Branches: 35 Anne Street South, #4, Barrie, ON L4N 2C7
Product/Service Profile:
Camm1 line of Vinyl Cutters, SOLJET, CammJet, Hi-Fi Jet, VersaCamm line of Ink Jet printers, engraving machines, laser scanners, CNC milling devices.
Posted by Jon Aston (Member # 1725) on :
Doh!
That would make sense, wouldn't it.
Posted by John Thomas (Member # 2854) on :
Kewl I will get to meet some of the fellow Letterhead ppl. See u at the show.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
John..I gotta ask... It must be a long commute from Canada to North Carolina every day???
Do you live in Canada and drive to work in NC or the other way around???
I just need to know?? Posted by John Thomas (Member # 2854) on :
Well Dave I make the trip about every 3 months. I'm in Canada 96% of the time. I still do some work in NC for friend so yes Iam up and down. My wife has the Canada business, and just for you Dave I will change it to Canada for the most part LOL.
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
FYI, Noella had a serious fall on friday down a short flight of stairs, landing on her back. Had to have an ambulance come to the house and take her to the ER. No broken bones, but she landed hard on her kidney and is in 'severe' pain. Today she tells me that she'll be in Toronto for the show...she's stubborn. Chances are that I'll be doing the carving demonstrations...should be interesting.
Posted by Pete Payne (Member # 344) on :
Over the years Marj & I have been frustrated also by the lack of acknowledgment and respect that the Canadian Sign Association has implied to the smaller sign shop and letterheads in general. We have tryed many many way to make them understand that because of Canadas population base Sign shops must be very diverse in there work load especially in rural Canada. As an example digital printing can be niche marketed in the large city centers but diversity is the name of the game in many smaller shops. We feel that Bob Bronk as the Executive Director and Lyse Piette are trying to included all facets of the sign industry and are trying to make the Canadian Sign Association more appealing to the smaller shop. They have extended a hand and I think we should except their gesture. We could again be proven wrong, but who known maybe the bullpen and respect & teaching through the Sign Association will continue to grow and florish. That is why after not having a booth at CONSAC for the past 3 or 4 years we have decide to support them again. I hope that if you have not attended the Consac in the past for various reasons you will use this opportunity to reconnect and take advantage of the learning experience we all will be providing to do nothing more than enhance your sign shop and the sign industry in Canada over all. I also know how difficult it was and appreciate Steve & Barb's decision to again give the Canadian Sign Association another chance. See you at the show. Come and try to win one of our beautiful free Black Powder Coated Decorative Scroll Brackets.
Posted by Pete Payne (Member # 344) on :
Nancy I hope all is well with Noella. She is very fit & strong & stubborn and optimistic hopefully this all means she will come around real quick, I am shipping today to Toronto a full 4' X 8' sheet of True 15Lb Density Sign Foam courtesy of Canadian Signcrafters Supply to be used in the Bull Pen for Carving Demonstrations and hands on learning. We just need to get one of the Router Companies to cut it up for us into smaller carving size pieces. Give our love & prayers to Noella, for a speedy recovery.
Posted by Pierre Tardif (Member # 3229) on :
I would like also to name René Giroux who worked in the shadow making a letterheads Bull Pen at Consac happening.
René organized a bull pen at the Quebec Association Sign Show and it was great. Bob Bronk who saw it in Quebec thaught it would be nice to do the same at Consac.
Connecting both sign world (small sign shop & high-tech digital/electric shop) is a hard task since the background is very different, but we can both gain tips & experience from each other making it a win-win situation.
Don't be surprised after Consac to see a CEO of a big sign company with a few spots of One Shot on his 3 piece suit!! Or to see a sign painter with a tie!!
Thanks Steve! and Bob! and René!
Posted by Pete Payne (Member # 344) on :
Pierre you are so right without Rene', this would never have come to pass and a big Thank You to all for their hardwork Pierre just so you know Doug is bringing an extra sock in case you forget your sleeping bag, that was from Pete remember we owe you and many more. Marj & Pete
Posted by Jon Aston (Member # 1725) on :
Canadian Letterheads Unite!
I hope alot of Letterheads will go out of their way to show up, identify themselves as Letterheads (at every opportunity) and seek out Bob Bronk (and Rene if he will be there) to say "thanks!".
You can't expect to change an organization like SAC from without. If you want an association that is more relevant to your business, you have to be prepared to join and (if you feel strongly enough about it) lead change by becoming involved (ie. volunteer to sit on committees and such).
Canadian Letterheads have to create a voice for themselves...if they really want one.
I know Bob Bronk personally and the guy is as genuine as they come. He and SAC have signalled that they want your involvement...so I hope some of you will make the best of the opportunity.
One last comment is that change will also take time. Don't expect instant results. Rome wasn't built in a day, after-all.
Sorry for soapboxing. Looking forward to meeting some of you at ConSAC...
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
A note from Bob Bronk concerning this offer. On-line registration is only availabe until 5pm on Tuesday. That's tomorrow! If you don't register before the deadline, you'll have to register at the door and pay the $10 dollar entrance fee.
Bob apoligizes for this situation, but this whole deal was a spur of the moment thing and it is too late to change arrangements with the company that looks after on-line reservations. In other words...Do It Now!!!
Posted by Dana Bowers (Member # 780) on :
DONE!
See ya Saturday!!
Posted by Pierre Tardif (Member # 3229) on :
I was to give a call to Mrs. and Mr. Bowers since they are so close from Toronto!
Pete Payne your joke stink!! Whatever I owe you remember that I am a good customer at Canadian Signcrafters!
I hope Noëlla is in better shape and that she will make it to the show.
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