Regional Sign Association Membership

THE SIGN INDUSTRY occupies a fair share of the manufacturing trades market within the US. The majority of these signshops qualify as small businesses. This correlates with what was discovered in Signs of the Times’ fourth annual “Big Survey,” which gathered demographic and industry-specific information from hundreds of sign companies across the country.

The results of the survey showed that 62% of respondents reported their shop was less than 10,000 sq. ft., 57% posted less than $1 million in sales the previous year and a whopping 98% employed fewer than 100 people in their company, with the majority of that percentage falling in the 2-19 employees category.

So why is this information pertinent when it comes to discussing regional sign association membership? The key is understanding applicability and approachability. Although the International Sign Association (ISA; Alexandria, VA) has a fantastic leadership team who are approachable and helpful, it can still seem impractical for a small business to approach a national association for assistance.

This is where a regional sign association can fill the gap and allow local companies to come together in a shared community of common interest. There are several unique benefits and programs for those involved in regional sign association membership. This column will touch on just a few of the many examples around the country.

For a list, see Signs of the Times’ Sign Associations Directory.

Mid-South Sign Association’s Elite Leadership Program

Mid-South Sign Association (MSSA; Memphis, TN) covers signshops located in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. While researching their website I came across a link for MSSA’s Elite Leadership Program. This professional development opportunity is designed not only to help young sign professionals grow their knowledge base but also strengthen the leadership within MSSA.

Tommy Allen, current MSSA president and alumni of the elite program, is a firm believer in its effectiveness, and was glad to lend some insight. “MSSA’s Elite Program has cultivated a new generation of young leaders by immersing them into the service side of giving back to the sign industry,” Allen says. “These rising participants are not only just taught about the industry, but they are also challenged through a board-appointed project that tests their skills in real-world ways. And the best part of the whole program, nearly every graduate jumps right back in to serve for the association, and today, more than half of our Board of Directors are elite alumni.”

Midwest Sign Association’s Michigan Sign Specialists Program

Over the past year the Midwest Sign Association (MSA; Livonia, MI) has taken ownership of the Michigan Sign Specialist Program and worked extensively to improve it. This program consists of a preparatory course for a mandatory electrical test required by the state of Michigan for sign installers.

I have written an entire article highlighting MSA’s acquisition of the program which can be read here. This is just one more example of a regional sign association striving to ensure the preparedness and success of local signshops. MSA covers sign companies located in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania.

Tri-State Sign Association’s Sign Shop Safety Program

Comprehensive safety programs are crucial for signshop longevity and employee retention, but in certain instances safety can take a back seat when deadlines are tight. It can be difficult for smaller outfits to handle the many requirements associated with an OSHA-approved safety program, but thankfully organizations with resources can help. The Tri-State Sign Association’s (TSSA; Yukon, OK) mission is to “advance the sign industry in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma,” and one of the ways they accomplish this goal is by offering their members access to their sign shop safety program.

Rex Montgomery, executive director of TSSA, explained to me the motivation behind the association’s focus on safety education. “We had a tragic accident with one of our member companies where an employee fell from a bucket truck and was killed. Shortly after that we started holding fall safety classes in each state,” Montgomery says. “We also started shop safety seminars. We are just trying to give back to our members and keep safety at the forefront.”

This, like other examples mentioned above, is an association’s direct response to the specific needs of its members. When it comes to tailored programs for your local business landscape, regional sign associations are equipped to lend a hand.

International Sign Association’s Support and Partnership

It is worth mentioning that the majority of local sign associations all offer a mix of benefits similar to the ones discussed above. Of course, any association can provide members with networking opportunities, but the specific regional groups who partner with the ISA grant their members access to many industry specific resources as explained by Lori Anderson, president of ISA. “ISA has a strong partnership with the regional associations across the country. When local sign companies join an ISA-affiliated state or regional association, they automatically become members of ISA,” Anderson says. “You get the best of both worlds — the strength, support, resources and leadership opportunities of a national organization coupled with a local network and benefits closer to home.”

A plethora of information explaining the resources is available to ISA members on the association’s website.