posted
With SignWorld in Atlantic City coming up at the end of November, we're deciding on what show or show to attend. ISA has their show in Orlando in April, and there are several SignBusiness shows. What shows have you found most helpful to the small sign shop?
I attended the "Big Show" a couple years ago and found it not so big, but they seem to have a good selection of seminars/workshops. ISA was big, but aimed more at bigger shops and had less seminars. Any experiences or suggestions for this year?
------------------ Alan Dearborn Dearborn Graphics Rye, NH USA alan@dearborngraphics.com
posted
I find the "bigger"type sign shows geared more to the LARGE production sign shops.Although you can learn from all these type of(distributor oriented)shows,they don't seem to be as personal.Depending on the type of work you do or plan to do,will determine the kind of input you are looking for.As I do stricly CUSTOM signs,I find the smaller letterhead meets give me more information and techniques that I can turn into profits.PLUS they a heck of lot more fun
------------------ PKing is Pat King of King Sign Design in McCalla,Alabama The Professor of SIGNOLOGY
Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm with Pat. Over the years, we have attended all types of trade shows. Maybe it's just me, but I just don't see much that has to do with the small sign shop as I know it.
If I could only get to one show a year., it's going to be a Letterhead meet. The only exception might be that show in Atlantic City. I hear good things about that one.
posted
The advantage of the bigger shows is obviously product demonstrations and meeting all the suppliers. I have been to a about 4 and they seem all pretty much the same,even Atlantic City(at least about the information that I needed).
------------------ Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Since 1978 www.wrightsigns.outputto.com All change isn't progress, and all progress isn't forward.
Posts: 2786 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I recommend going to the Atlantic City show. Im a one man operation and I have always found bargains and show specials. I like to check out the latest stuff. The bullpen at the show is great. Like a mini letterhead meet. We have a few other shops that carpool down every year and we all look forward to the show and a little gambling. Keith
------------------ Keith Pedersen Keith's Signs Lincroft,NJ 732-530-9157
Posts: 37 | From: Lincroft,NJ USA | Registered: Jan 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm 3 hours away from AC. It's where the I fell in love with sign making for the first time 8 years ago. I bought the gerber 4.3 running on windows 3.1 and a fancy black and white scanner. My how times have changed.
But the honeymoon is over and I see nothing new that I can't read about in the monthly's. So unless I'm out to testdrive some stuff, or to match the face with the voice, I'll most likely pass.
Plus now that I'm married, no more annual rendevous with some of the sexy vendors (shhh!, I'd be happy to donate my USSC little black book to you single guys)
AC is a boon for sign makers though. How else ya gonna write off a gambling trip as a business expense?
------------------ Mike Duncan Lettercraft Signs Alexandria VA
From here on down, its all up hill.
Posts: 1328 | From: Centreville, VA | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
#1 Any Letterheads meet. All at once, they are humbling, inspiring, eye opening and embarrassing, as in "What was I thinking when I dropped my portfolio off next to all these works of art?" If you have never been to a Letterheads meet, bring an extra set of socks to replace the ones that will be knocked off! If you've been to several, likely you will still end up "foot hosiery challenged".
#2 The Sign Business shows. The seminars and workshops are informative and useful. I like to go with some employees and we compare notes after each class. It is not possible for each of us to attend all the workshops we wish. To me, the points I learn in one seminar are usually worth the price of admission. Periodically, there is one in easy driving distance. What really surprises me are all the local people missing. A Gold mine of information was under their nose and they did not bother to come.
#3 The bigger shows which are geared to the larger shops. When I had a larger company doing electric signs, I found these to be more useful. Now that I am a small shop doing custom work, these don't interest me as much. Sometimes, I will go if I'm considering a new equipment or software purchase.
------------------ A Sign of Excellence
Posts: 5105 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've been to a couple of BIG Shows and really learned alot from the courses I've taken. I also purchased my equipment there because I knew I was getting show specials. I'm heading down to the show in Ft. Worth next month for more courses and to possibly get more equipment. I wish I could attend some of the other classes but when you are a 1 man shop you take what you can.
I went to an ISA show in Portland last year and it was really quite small. Didn't take any courses there but it did make a nice day trip. I'm not sure I'll go to another unless it's in the Seattle area.
AC - I doubt I'll ever go there unless I hit the motherload. To far and to much $.
------------------ Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa
Printer-friendly view of this topic