35 Issue 255 - October / November 2024 email: news@signlink.co.uk The sign industry, which has crossovers with so many other industries, must have its own identity and allow suppliers to showcase their latest products, services, and solutions. “The more opportunities there are to put sign-makers and suppliers in the same place, the stronger the industry will be.” Davies adds: “We’re delighted to be working with four leading voices from the UK signage industry, each of which will help us put together our inaugural event and deliver exactly what the industry requires. “We are committed to working closely with the industry to ensure the event meets the demands of the sign-making market and we address the issues that are most important to the sector.” What’s more, Davies reveals the Fantastic Four will also be playing a key role in running the special in-event areas. While work is still ongoing to form each of these features, he says visitors can look forward “We want The Sign Show to be so much more than a simple exhibition event,” Davies says, adding: “We want to build an event that truly celebrates the UK sign industry and the many amazing people that work across the sector. By running these in-event features, we hope to open visitors’ eyes to the methods behind signage and inspire them to go away and explore new opportunities for their own businesses.” Key Industry Support Though the event was only announced at The Print Show this year, organisers have wasted little time in gathering support for the debut show in 2025. Leading industry organisations the British Sign and Graphics Association (BSGA) and FESPA UK are among those backing the event, in addition to key industry publications SignLink and Eye on Display as well as Make It Happen signage consultancy. On top of this, the event has formed its own ‘Fantastic Four’, welcoming some of the most recognised faces from the UK sign-making industry as part of the planning team. The group comprises Craig Brown, chief executive officer of the BSGA; Suzi Ward, managing director of FESPA UK; Sam Armstrong, founder and chief executive officer of Make it Happen; and Jack Gocher, editor of Eye on Display. Gocher says: “In any industry, the arrival of a new show can only be seen as a positive and so I applaud this initiative. to specialist workshop sessions from Armstrong and her Make It Happen team, as well as hands-on demos of sign-making and one-on-one business advice from some of the best minds in the business. “We’ve got a busy 12 months ahead of us pulling together the show but going off some of the feedback we had during our soft launch at The Print Show this year, we are confident about how The Sign Show will be received,” Davies says. “The bottom line for us is that we want to create an event that actually helps the industry and supports visitors with their own growth plans – much like we have done with The Print Show since its launch back in 2015. “I very much look forward to speaking with potential exhibitors and visitors over the next few months, and I encourage readers to keep an eye on our official social media channels and website for exciting updates in the not-too-distant future.” THE SIGN SHOW There is nowhere else that sign professionals can go to see actual sign-making tools and solutions from a wide range of companies under one roof ▲ Visitors can look forward to specialist workshops and one-on-one business advice
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