ALTHOUGH WE HAVE always known the value of industry relationships we have gained over the years, with our vendors and our association memberships, we were recently reminded of just how important they are.
As many of you may know, Kansas City, MO was named to host the 2023 NFL Draft, which kicked off April 27, at the prestigious Power & Light District. A couple of our customers in the area needed new signage to be designed, fabricated and installed prior to the start of the Draft. We all are aware that the timeline of a sign project from start to finish can sometimes be lengthy. A perfect design must be achieved, materials and components are spec’d, and of course a permit from the city must be obtained. Then, the said materials are ordered, the fabrication process must move full speed ahead, followed by load out and installation of the finished product.
We were looking at a couple sets of channel letters, along with a custom, 8-ft.-diameter, all-aluminum-constructed ID cabinet. It would have digitally printed flex faces, with both internal and external LED illumination. Ultimately, the round ID cabinet would prove to be our biggest challenge, with the tight timelines involved. However, we planned to do everything within our power to pull it off. And that is exactly what we did.
Once all the artwork was finalized and signed off, we applied for permits. As soon as approval was granted, we reached out to a few of our fellow Tri-State Sign Association Members for their assistance. Matt Ambrose, with Excellart Sign Products (Olathe, KS), was able to have his team get the necessary extrusion cut and sent to us right away. We called on Jon Scheurer, with Payler Signs & Graphics (Fenton, MO), to do an emergency print job for the faces and we were able to pick them up within about 72 hours of sending the artwork. Then, we worked with Steve of Graphic Solutions Group/Principal LED to get the Principal Street Wrap Flex LED border tube cut to precise size and shipped to us immediately.
Within five business days of receiving the permits, we were able to complete and install these beautiful custom signs for our clients, the day before the NFL Draft started. Without the help of our vendors, who are really more like partners to us, along with hard work and overtime hours by our fabrication departments and install crews, this tremendous feat wouldn’t have been possible.
And this my friends, is why sign industry and association relationships have such an immeasurable value. If you are not a member of your region’s sign association, which usually includes membership to the International Sign Association, I strongly urge you to join as soon as possible.
Julie Goodson is co-owner of Impact Signs Awnings Wraps Inc. (Sedalia, MO) and treasurer of the Tri-State Sign Association, which serves Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.