Corrie Siegel took the reins at the Museum of Neon Art on April 1, just as the pandemic was beginning. She steered the museum through those uncertain months, creating virtual visits and new ways for patrons to explore neon. In this episode, Corrie talks about neon's new popularity, industry events to explore, and her thoughts about the line between signmaking and fine art.Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
Mars Bravo launched Signs From Mars just months before the pandemic started with a focus on signs for her contacts in the music industry. Learn about her pivot, how she attracts new customers and how she's made the challenge of 2020 work for her.Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
Adolfo Nodal of Habana Light Neon + Signs talks about donating his time to restore historic neon in Cuba and Los Angeles, where he sees neon in the future and modern "neon punks" who are reinvigorating interest in this art form.Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
Wagner Sign's Eric Larsen discusses his two recent columns in Signs of the Times, his commitment to educating the next generation of signmakers, and what he's learned by talking with construction industry folks about how they attract, educate and retain the next generation of fabricators.Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
Signs of the Times Associate Editor Grant Freking talks with Chelsea Lindsey of Precision Signs (Garner, NC) and Phillip Yu of Gamut Media (Fullerton, CA) about the challenges their sign and graphics businesses have faced during the current healthcare crisis, their roles within their companies, their unique starts in the industry and two distinctive trends they’ve spotted.Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
2020 Makers of Tomorrow River Prince of Prince Sign Company (Ellisville, MS) and Simon Nussbaum of Green Dot Sign (Saint Paul, MN) join Signs of the Times Associate Editor Grant Freking for a chat about running their sign businesses during COVID-19, their signmaking origins, industry trends and much more.Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
ISA Workforce Development Director Alison Kent responds to a recent article by signmaker Eric Larsen discussing the need to attract a new generation to the sign industry. She details the certification and other opportunities available through ISA from her home office near Washington D.C.Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
Mark Kissling, managing editor of Signs of the Times, discusses the best way of increasing your odds of winning in the 2020 Signshop Competition, how to enter and his top tips for success. Plus, learn Mark's go-to fast food lunch.Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
Signs of the Times Associate Editor Grant Freking discusses his upcoming feature on the state of the sign industry post COVID-19, including his interviews with industry association leaders, sign companies and leading manufacturers.Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
Jeremy Vanderkraats is the owner/operator of Signs by Van, a custom signshop in Salinas, CA.Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
ISA President Lori Anderson discusses today's decision to postpone the 2020 ISA Sign Expo to August of this year, including vendor and attendee feedback and responds to Signs of the Times' audience and staff member questions. For ongoing coverage of sign industry reactions and event cancellations, visit https://www.signsofthetimes.com/channel/newsSupport the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
Simon Nussbaum is a 2020 Signs of the Times Maker of Tomorrow. In this episode, he discusses easy sustainability "wins" for signmakers, why he chose to take his business down a sustainable path, and his top alternatives to traditional signmaking materials. Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
Wendy Moeller is a community planner and the founder of Compass Point Planning in Blue Ash, Ohio. Her work focuses on writing and rewriting zoning for signage, among other specialties. She is also a national board member for the American Planning Association, as well as a past Advisory Board member for Signs of the Times.Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
Tim Tibbetts is a mobile signmaker who does lettering on the fly and has reinvented himself to meet industry demands, and wrote to us to share his thoughts about slowing down based on Robin Donovan's recent column on life in French Polynesia. His companies Island Reflections Corp. and RIWraps.com are based in Rhode Island.Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
Dale Salamacha never attended college, but before he could legally drink, he was making and selling signs. Today, the fast-thinking, fast-talking Floridian is not only a popular Signs of the Times columnist, but also the president of Media 1/Wrap This in Longwood, FL.Read more about Dale's building-buying adventures here and here.Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
Kody Shafer is a neon bender currently living and working in Osaka, Japan. A former employee of Yoshi's Neon Studio, he is currently working on a book that will document neon's growth and evolution in Japan. Shafer raised money to leave his job and focus on the photographic project via his Kickstarter fundraiser, Neon Spectacular: Japan.Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
As he winds down a 39-year career with Federal Heath Sign Co., CEO Kevin Stotmeister reflects on the state of the industry, challenges signmakers face and opportunities for years to come. (Best wishes on your next chapter, Kevin! Thanks for your wise counsel as a member of our Editorial Advisory Board for so many years.)Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
Ray Weiss, director of digital print programs for SGIA, discusses the association's newly rebranded tradeshow, Printing United, and how signmakers can take advantage of all it has to offer. Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
On Sign Manufacturing Day, Ramsay Signs production manager Mathew Pratt talks hosting local students for shop tours, why tours are a good use of your time and what current employees get out of kids in the shop. Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)
Teresa Young, president and CEO of Sign Biz and the brains behind LobbyPop.com, the School of Sign Arts and more discusses when to hire your first employee, marketing basics and what makes today's sign industry different (read: more competitive) than it was in decades past.Support the show (http://signsofthetimes.com)