Atlantic City, NJ, November 17, 2006 - Wrapped, gold leafed, digitized and carved. These are just a few of the signs that will be center stage at Sign World USA, a three-day event sponsored by the United States Sign Council (USSC) taking place at the Atlantic City Convention Center from Thursday, November 30 through Saturday, December 2, 2006.
A crowd of 7,000 industry professionals will be on hand to attend seminars and workshops and peruse a marketplace of every imaginable product that goes into making signs and banners.
More than 250 vendors will offer everything from graphic design software to giant ladder systems and heat-sealed banner supplies, with free product seminars sponsored by companies including Nova Polymers, SignPresence and Safety Speed Cut. Bargain hunters will find year-end clearance deals and show specials, along with drawings for free prizes throughout each day.
"The lights, flash and high technology of Broadway signs is now possible on Main Street," said Andrew Bertucci, executive director for the Bristol, PA-based USSC. "When I started, everything was literally done by hand. Now, almost everything is done by computer and signs can literally change from one second to the next. The types of signs you see in Times Square are now affordable on a smaller scale for the average business."
USSC members are so excited about advances in full color digital technology that instead of the usual 90-minute seminar on the subject, Sign World USA is offering a three-part, all-day seminar covering the topic on November 30. Other subjects covered during the three-day event include 45 Tips to Profitability and Pleasure, Strategic Sales Management and Dynamic Logo Design.
Another buzz-creating advance is vinyl wrap signs for cars and vans, a rolling advertising vehicle for a company's product or service. Daily vehicle wrapping will take place in the exhibit hall, with hands-on demonstrations provided by some of the industry top vinyl application professionals.
Always a show highlight, the Bullpen at the center of the exhibit hall features real-time sign makers displaying their artistic talents in a variety of activities, including pin striping panel jams and a large panel sign-painting competition. Here, old school artisans work alongside high tech wizards to produce signs for use by a local charity or group. This year, Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City will benefit.
Seminars and workshops will be held Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The exhibit hall schedule is Thursday from 4 p.m. to
8 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration fees vary.
For more information about the show call (215) 785-1922 or visit www.ussc.org.
The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority serves as the destination's principal marketing arm, stimulating economic growth through convention, business and leisure tourism development. The Authority oversees the management of the Atlantic City Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall on behalf of its parent agency, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. For complete Atlantic City information, visit www.atlanticcitynj.com.
EDITORS: Media coverage of Sign World USA is welcome. To obtain press credentials, contact Nancy Maren in advance at (215) 785-1922, or ask for her at the registration desk onsite
SignTex Offers Local Kids A Sign of Independence
Atlantic City High School senior Dorie Bishop never thought much about signs. Until she got involved with SignTex, a joint venture between The Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City and the Juvenile Justice Commission. After three years of apprenticing with SignTex, she now works at the sign making company five days a week after school.
"I didn't think signs were all that interesting, but I've changed my mind," she said. "Signs are a way for me to be artistic." Bishop is especially proud of a custom reflective logo she designed recently for the Atlantic City Fire Department. Run by master sign maker and United States Sign Council (USSC) member Jess Caserta, SignTex gives teens that have had brushes with the justice system an opportunity to learn a trade. "It's good for their confidence level, for these kids to take a project from start to finish," said Caserta. He'll bring the 18 Boys and Girls Club SignTex apprentices to the Sign World USA show this weekend.
This year, the Boys & Girls Club is again the designated charity for the show's Bullpen, with all signs produced during the event donated to the Club's Atlantic City Weed & Seed, a cooperative project between young people, law enforcement officials and community members to work against gang activity and provide safe havens for kids.
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