Synergy Sign & Graphics Wins 2026 Sign Invitational

The Sign Invitational, a friendly competition among sign artists co-founded many years ago by Dan Sawatzky, Imagination Corp. (Chilliwack, BC, Canada) and Jim Dawson, Synergy Sign & Graphics (Strasburg, OH), held its latest contest at the ISA International Sign Expo in Orlando, FL, April 8-10.

For more on the rules of this year’s invitational and background on the competition in general, click here.

First-Place Winner: Jim Dawson, Synergy Sign & Graphics (Strasburg, OH).

“The Sign Invitational was extremely popular this year at the ISA Expo with thousands of sign makers drawn to the creative display,” Sawatzky wrote in an email to Signs of the Times. “There were nine entrants this year. When the votes were tallied Jim Dawson of Synergy Signs & Graphics took first place, Amanda & Rusty Gibbs of Gibbs Graphics (Leavenworth, WA) came in second and Dave Nolan of Studio Y (Calgary, AB, Canada) earned third place honors. Thanks to our sponsors Specialty Machinery, X-Edge tools, IBEX Software and Precision Board (Coastal Enterprises).”

Next year’s theme has been decided, Sawatzky went on two write: “a suitcase-sized double-sided blade/hanging sign with a dinosaur theme.”