Sign World Show Full Speed Ahead, USSC Reports

In an e-newsletter distributed on November 1, the United States Sign Council (USSC) announced that all plans are still moving forward for the association’s Sign World International tradeshow, which takes place November 29-December 1 in Atlantic City, NJ. Much of the Eastern Seaboard was devastated by Hurricane Sandy, which first made landfall on the evening of October 29. Estimates forecast that Sandy exacted $20 billion in damage from Florida to New England.

Although initial landfall occurred in close proximity, Atlantic City sustained comparatively little damage. Sections of the town’s iconic boardwalk were destroyed; some older buildings were damaged, and receding waters on seaside streets revealed accumulated debris. However, a Wall Street Journal article stated that damage to the Boardwalk casinos amounted to less than $100,000, according to a Caesars Entertainment Corp. executive quoted in the story. Although power hasn’t yet been restored, and residents hadn’t been permitted to return at the time of the message, cleanup crews’ work is well underway. The announcement stated that the Atlantic City Convention Center, where the tradeshow occurs, had sustained no damage, and noted that officials expressed confidence all of the city’s amenities would be "up and running" well before the show began.

ST is pleased that Atlantic City emerged relatively unscathed, and that Sign World will proceed as planned. However, we wish to express our deepest sympathies to those who’ve lost loved ones in the chaos of Hurricane Sandy or sustained damage to their home or business.