The enormous popularity of ISA Sign Expo mirrors the growth the sign, graphics and visual communications industry itself has experienced over the years. ISA Sign Expo 2018 has witnessed four days of educational sessions and a packed exhibition floor. On March 21, an Executive Boot Camp would guide executives on the more nuts-and-bolts business aspects of the enterprise.

The Game Changer sessions, now in their fourth year, have been increased from two to three, based on popularity and demand. Again, co-located with the ISA Sign Expo this year was the National Sign Research & Education Conference (NSREC), which gathered academics and graduate students in urban planning, architecture, engineering, law, lighting science, marketing, and design to take a deep dive into the science of sign design and placement.

Return of wrap session

ISA Sign Expo 2018 saw the return of the wrap session, Ultimate Wrap Star, after a gap of few years. The vehicle wrapping competition on the show floor drew more than 30 competitors, whittling it down to a few winners, recognised for their wrapping excellence. Another staple at the show was ISA Innovation Awards, where judges select the exhibitors’ most innovative hardware and software products.

Innovations in action

Three days of the expo showcased many new innovations in the signage, graphics and visual communications industry, extending well beyond what are said to be conventional or traditional products or technologies in the industry. Visitors at very stall in the show got the opportunity to see new products in action, contributing to the overall excitement of ISA Sign Expo 2018.

Among the exhibitors presenting innovations in action, 3M displayed premium printed films and window films in several areas of the convention center’s pre-function space and at the Hyatt Sky Bridge entrance (3M Controltac Print Film 40C-20R, 3M Scotchcal Luster Overlaminate 3645) and others. Fisher Textiles provided four large carpet maps throughout the trade show floor, which are printed on Fisher Textile’s GF 2400 Big Floor. FusionCast designed and produced the Innovation Awards for the show.

GBC & Seal provided UltraClear PET to create the window graphics for all main entrance doors and parking lot entrance doors. The product also used as window cling near the registration counter. INCISEON lighted up the stage at ISA Rocks! displaying the logo on the INCISEON Skeletonized product. Infinity Media Company displayed the FloorApeal at each entrance, including the Hilton entrance floor decal and registration. Their GlassApeel was seen on the windows near registration and at the lobby lounge.

Magnum Magnetics provided the DigiMag super-wide magnetic media that was seen on the crash doors leading into the exhibit hall at both entrances. On other side of the show floor, NuSpace Displays (Fortunexpo) recognised the ISA Elite class of 2018 on a dynamic LED light box in the main lobby. ORAFOL Americas provided Orajet Media product as the floor decal in the ISA Lounge.

Radiant Manufacturing offered SolaRay panels, used in the large hanging displays at both entrances to the show floor, as well as accents for the lightning bolts at both entrances. Shanghai Soardist Display Co provided Windigo portable sidewalk signs used for the shuttle bus and ride-share pickup signs outside the convention center. The 8x20 inch EZ Extend Display was also the step-and-repeat at ISA Rocks!, and was directional signage for ISA Rocks! located at Pointe Orlando. SloanLED offered the SlimLINER linear product that can be seen as the lighting in The Hub.

Top Value Fabrics provided the Pes-Deko- Tex 2582GFS product that could be seen outside both entrances as the exterior entrance banners. Deko-Tex 7048GFS would view as the backwalls to registration.