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A Publication of the Mid-South Sign Association April 2018

THE MID-SOUTH

MESSENGERMSSA Presents “Idea Exchange” Conference - February 21-23, 2018MSSA believes planning a successful meeting or event should be rewarding. MSSA would like to thank our dedicated Convention and Education Committees who planned the perfect venue. How rewarding it was to see how impressed attendees of the MSSA Presents “Idea Exchange” Conference were with ALL facets of the conference!

MSSA thanks Capital Signs & Awnings’ Randal and Brandon Fontenot and personnel for allowing

MSSA to learn about its sign program and its own in house sign manufacturing facility. “Organized”

is one word to describe the facility, along with the terrific employees who made MSSA feel

welcome. Thank you to Tubelite Company, Inc. for the Cajun style breakfast and Reese Supply

Company for providing a tasty lunch after the seminars and tour.

Information introduced during MSSA’s “Sneak Peek” of new industry products allowed attendees

to view a few of the industries’ “Latest and Greatest” prior to the ISA Expo. Thank you to all eight

suppliers who each gave an eight-minute presentation highlighting these products.

Featuring:• Over 85 Tabletop Exhibits• Golf Tournament• Biloxi Charter Fishing• Skeet and Trap Event• Seminars: - Achieving real business results - Understanding each individual’s strengths allows organizations to build great teams, develop future leaders, and create an amazing culture. - When OSHA darkens your door - Being prepared, staying compliant, and knowing your rights.• Scholarship Live/Silent Auctions• All Things Southern, MSSA ‘Hanging Out’ with Lazy Magnolia Brewery - Brewery Tour, Musical Entertainment, Beer Tastings and a ‘Southern’ Dinner

Exhibit Hours: Saturday, July 21st 10:30 am - 2:30 pm

Early Registration Fee: $125 prior to Friday, June 27th

For information and registration:Visit www.SIGNCONNEXION.comor call (901) 452-6444Visit us on Facebook: facebook.com/midsouthsign

Beau Rivage Resort & Casino • July 18-21, 2018

2018

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Biloxi, Mississippi

Biloxi, Mississippi

Beau Rivage Resort & CasinoRate: $145-$175 Deadline - June 27th

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Mid-South Messenger - April 2018

Farewell, Bunkie, Louisiana: 2018 MSSA Olympic Games Wrap Up Triumphs and SurprisesAs the sun set Thursday evening, people began trickling into the ballroom meeting space of the Holiday Inn Downtown Alexandria to encounter a far different atmosphere than a typical networking reception featuring an open beverage bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Waiting were unforgettable experiences for meticulously trained athletes from around the MSSA region during the exhilarating installment of the first MSSA Olympic Games, arguably the greatest indoor sporting event of MSSA’s time!

Throughout the games our commentator, Cal Holt, kept all teams on schedule even though the noise level was high! The teams and the crowd were going crazy with words of encouragement and noticeably, laughter.

Hanging over the entire games was the saga – or opportunity, if you prefer – of a delicate opportunity of each team’s diplomatic dance of choosing the right athletes who may have the due diligence of concentration for the Cup Pyramid, or best hip movement for Junk in the Trunk, or eye/arm aim for the Blindfold Bean Bag Toss. The real coordination came with the Hula Hoop Movement when each team lined up holding hands to pass the hoop from first to last person without unhooking hands.

There were so many trailblazers: Bill Uline and Patrick Knotts dressed in athletic wear, were ready to claim gold! Even though on opposite teams, Nick Wilson and girlfriend Julia shook their “bums” similar to Elvis Presley in an attempt to remove golf balls from Kleenex boxes, as Sean Schultz jumped up / down / sideways to remove his. Trent Brouillette, the Cup Pyramid builder extraordinaire. As Starr Gil struggled with her facial muscles to move a cookie from her forehead to her month, many athletes dropped to the floor overcome by laughter. With nail-biting minutes, overtime victory arrived when Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were finally presented to three outstanding teams.

As the first MSSA Olympic Games come to an end, take solace by knowing the athleticism and drama witnessed, that many Olympic Games are in the future for Mid-South Sign Association.


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MSSA Elite ProgramApplication Deadline is April 13th.The Mid-South Sign Association is accepting applications for the 2018 MSSA Elite Program. We are seeking talented, and motivated individuals with a deep desire for personal development and growth. Applicants should be committed to advancing their career as a leader in the sign inudstry.

The MSSA Elite Program is a leadership development program devoted to helping young leaders maximize their potential by learning advanced leadership and communication skills as well as serving as a primer for future leadership opportunities to serve on MSSA Committees and Board of Directors.

What you will learn...

1. History of the Sign Industry and the Importance of Sign Associations

2. Parliamentary Procedures and Bylaws of The Mid-South Sign Association

3. Structure and Purposes of MSSA Board of Directors, Committees, and Programs

4. Effective Networking Skills for Social-Business Environments

5. Leadership Principles and How to Apply these to your Current Position

6. Identify and Communicate Effectively with Different Personality Types

7. Advanced Non-Verbal Communication Skills8. How to Interact and Accomplish Goals as a Team

MSSA Elite Program Application Form may be completed by visiting: midsouthsign.org/mssa-elite.html

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The Steve Metheny Scholarship Foundation is, without a doubt, the most advanced scholarship program in the sign industry. Since founding the Scholarship Foundation in 1997, 867 scholarships totaling $1,299,470 have been awarded to MSSA members’ employees and their dependent children!

Scholarships Awarded:3 Vocational School3 Undergraduate or Graduate Studies3 An approved course of which will advance a professional career

Application Deadline: May 1stVisit the link below to apply!

midsouthsignassociation.org/the-steve-metheny-scholarship.html

To help promote the MSSA Steve Metheny Scholarship Program, the MSSA Scholarship Committee developed a scholarship poster for placement within MSSA Sign Company Members’ locations. A special thank you to Oxford Graphics, Inc. who generously donated the printing of 150 scholarship posters of which was mailed to MSSA Sign Company Members.

STEVE METHENYS C H O L A R S H I P F O U N D A T I O N

T H E

MAYAPPLICATIONS DUE

Open to ALL MSSA Members Subject to Member Eligibility Requirements

1st

Mid-South Sign Association

SCHOLARSHIPS

APPLY ONLINE

SCHOLARSHIPS• Vocational School• Undergraduate or Graduate Studies• An approved course which will advance a professional career

Questions?Contact MSSA 901-452-6444

Learn More About MSSA Scholarships and the application [email protected]/Scholarship

Scholarship FormWeb Page

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MSSA Would Like to Recognize and Thank our SponsorsRecognizing the following companies provides a visible acknowledgement of the importance that their contributions are making within the Mid-South Sign Association. With this financial support, MSSA was able to offer lower registration fees than required to meeting attendees. Lower registration fees allow attendees the ability to attend MSSA meetings which offer educational and networking opportunities.

WHOLESALE CHANNEL LETTERS & SIGNS

Colorado - Louisiana

CHANNEL LETTERS3-5 Day shipping on standardchannel letters1 Hour quotesExcellent customer service

CABINETS & CUSTOM SIGNSExtruded S/F and D/F aluminum cabinetsCustom pylon and monumentsigns... Any shape and size

Premium Gold Sponsors3M Commercial Solutions Division

A & C Plastics Inc.AgiLight, Inc.

Akzo Nobel CoatingsCharles Hampton’s A-1 Signs

Cirrus Systems, Inc.Daktronics Inc.

Eastern Metal Supplyfaces

Farco Plastics SupplyGrimcoGSG

Herring Sales IncLetterFab, LLCMatthews Paint

M/K Insurance ServicesMatthews PaintN. Glantz & Son

Piedmont Plastics, Inc.Principal LED

Reece Supply Co.Sign BuildersThinkSIGN

Tubelite Co IncWatchfire Signs

World Wide Sign Systems

Premium Silver SponsorsAdmiral Wholesale Sign Components

Elrod Engineering, LLCScott Powerline and Utility Equipment

Sherwin-WilliamsSignComp

Southern Signs IncUS LED, Ltd

Bronze SponsorKnight Sign Industries

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Results from 2018 MSSA Presents “Idea Exchange” ConferenceWhat is your single biggest takeaway?• Appreciated the UL information, it was great!• Seeing just how Capital Sign runs their shop was an “Eye Opener” and the amount of work they turn out. NICE!!!• Olympics were very entertaining. Kelly did an outstanding job putting it together and Cal was a great game show host.• Seeing how the young leaders and Elites have developed very close friendships in such a short time and knowing that these

relationships will continue to grow and have a positive impact on our association for decades.• Enjoyed the presentation on hiring employees and the Olympic games were fun.• Surprised by the number of attendees based on the remote location.• Networking and opportunity to gain new business.• Comradery• Hiring for Success by Lisa Coleman• Sneak Peek products• The “Olympics”, David Nourie’s seminar on UL regulations and the audience’s position concerning UL’s current position on how they

are applying the UL48 and 879 Standards.

Do you have any suggestions for improving the event?• Flight options and inbound travel logistics was very difficult for this location. Larger cities with better travel options would be preferred.• The HR education portion of Friday was way off-topic. The UL presentation was fantastic.• During the shop tours due to general shop noise, it would be very helpful if the tour guide could use a megaphone.• For Idea Exchange, more hands-on training seminars that shop and outside employees could learn from and keep seminars limited to

one hour.• The “Sneak Peek” was very exclusive and need to be opened to all who want to attend.

Please indicate seminar topics/speakers you would like to see at future meetings.• Color matching digital print colors to PMS colors (nightmare).• How to troubleshoot / wire in ballasts.• How to figure how many power supplies for the amount of LED’s you are using.• New Generation of Sign Industry• Digital Signage and Marketing Programs• OSHA Crane Certification or other new REGS• Safety, best practices in fabricating signs - round table between engineers, designers, manufacturers and installers.• How to DIY a piece of equipment? Maybe a break, a roller, or something unique.• How to design a vehicle wrap?• How to wrap vehicle?• How to troubleshoot an electrical problem with neon, led, etc.?• Active Shooter Seminar in H’ville was very interesting and I think more information regarding that topic could be provided.• Additional seminars on retraining and training new and existing employees would be critical in this current job market.• Business development, motivational speakers, leadership development, navigating through social media (do’s and don’ts)

1. Why did you attend our event? Select all that apply.

Response Ratio

Total

For networking 30%

Interest in a seminar topic 6%

To support the MSSA Association 31%

To support Capital Signs & Awnings 16%

To meet new customers 15%

Other 2%

100.00

2. What is your level of satisfaction with the event?

Response Ratio

Total

Very satisfied 78%

Somewhat satisfied 22%

Neutral 0%

Somewhat dissatisfied 0%

Very dissatisfied 0%

No Responses 0%

100.00

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Helping you plan for tomorrow...Today.MSSA Member Insurance Program

• Preferred Pricing for MSSA Members• Property and Casualty Insurance Program that encompasses Property, General Liability, Auto, Inland Marine, Umbrella, and Workers Compensation• Sign Industry Expertise• Safety Programs tailored to the sign industry

For more information contact Casey O’Quinn [email protected] or 205.314.2082

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2018 MSSA Sign Design Competition$100 cash prize payable to the winning graphic designer in each category

$250 cash prize awarded to the “Best of the Best!”

Entries are due June 8, 2018

The Mid-South Sign Association is now accepting entries for the 2018 MSSA Sign Design Competition. Plaques and recognition will be presented to both the winning companies and graphic designers at MSSA’s SignConnexion 2018 in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Categories1. Digital/Vehicle Graphics2. Illuminated or Non-Illuminated Wall Signs

- 1 square foot and above - Neon/neon channel letters, cabinet signs, murals, routed or sandblasted, hand carved, etc.

3. Illumintated or Non-Illumniated Freestanding Signs - 0 to 50 square feet4. Illuminated or Non-Illuminated Freestanding Signs - 50 to 100 square feet5. Illuminated or Non-Illuminated Freestanding Signs - 100 square feet and above6. “Best of the Best” from all entries

Visit www.midsouthsign.org for more information and how to submit entries.


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Congratulations Lora Custer Rand with Arkansas Sign and Neon, the winner of an Echo Speaker and Josh Munn with Munn Enterprises, the winner of an All-New Fire HD 10 Tablet, in our February and March #WinItWeek Giveaway contests! Over 2,900 Facebook sign industry accounts were reached with 181 reactions (Likes, Loves, Shares or Comments). Lora and Josh’s names were chosen randomly from qualified entrants. Thanks to everyone who participated in MSSA’s second and third #WinItWeek Giveaway contests.

Amazon Echo (2nd Generation)Powered by Dolby

All-New Fire HD 10 Tablet with Alexa Hands-Free10.1” 1080p Full HD Display, 32 GB

How to Enter February and March #WinItWeek Giveaway Contests:1. “Like” Mid-South Sign Association on Facebook - facebook.com/midsouthsign2. “Like” this post3. Comment on the post with #WinItWeek4. Entrant must be able to verify employment at a Sign Company

MSSA Facebook #WinItWeek Giveaway Contest

Lora Custer Rand Josh Munn

Mid South Messenger - April 2018

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Crane Operator CertificationRule Implementation: November 10, 2018Crane certification information:• Visit ISA’s Crane Info webpage, www.signs.org/crane. - Certification FAQs - Crane Certification Checklist - Driver Vehicle and Equipment Inspection Report• Special Pricing for MSSA Members: Altec, Yolanda Kizzard 205-408-8260 www.Cranes101.com• For Other Training Resources / Providers, click NCCCO.• 3-5 Days Required for Exams.

NATIONALLY ACCREDITED CRANE OPERATOR CERTIFICATIONSign Cranes & Boom Trucks

w w w . c r a n e s 1 0 1 . c o m

MSSA Members Price

$1,395.00 per person

Retail Price$1,795.00 per person

Minimum Group Size : 8

Maximum Group Size : 14

S p e c i a l P r i c i n g f o r M S S A M e m b e r s

4 - D A Y P R O G R A M

M S S A M E M B E R P R I C I N G

P R O G R A M F E A T U R E S

• Days 1-3: Classroom

• Day 4: Written and Practical Testing

• $1,700 Per Person

• Minimum Class Size: 5

• No Need to Tie Up Your Equipment or

Facility

• No Need to Inspect and Approve Your

Facility or Crane

• Altec Provides a Lights and Signs Crane

for Testing

• All CIC Fees and Course Materials

Provided

• Hands-On Practice Time Available on

Days 1-3

• Over 21 Ton Telescoping Boom Crane

Certification is Also Available, for

Additional Charge

W H E R E P R O F E S S I O N A L S G E T T H E I R T R A I N I N GALTEC.COM/SENTRY

ARE YOU READY FOR THE

2018 OSHA DEADLINE?

Crane Certification Altec Sentry is offering MSSA members special 2018 pricing for nationally accredited Crane Institute Certification (CIC) testing. Send your operators to our Altec facility in Birmingham, AL for our full certification program.

For information, contact Yolanda Kizzard at Altec Sentry (205) 408 8260 or email: [email protected].

Or, contact your Account Manager directly: Winslow Armstead (205) 577-7076 [email protected]


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Your Outsourcing Partner Since 1958

CHANNEL LETTERS · CUSTOM SIGNSFORMED FACES · FLEXIBLE FACES · DIGITAL GRAPHICS

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNS · EXTRUDED CABINETS

Members Supporting MembersAt MSSA, we understand and appreciate the investment of time and money from all of our member companies. As a matter of principal, MSSA member companies do everything they can to conduct business within the membership of the association because MSSA understands it cannot succeed without the success of its member companies. The following product manufacturers, engineers, and suppliers have agreed, by registering as 2018 MSSA members, to support MSSA in 2018. Please consider the following companies as you conduct business in 2018. A current membership list is available for viewing by visiting www.midsouthsign.org or for questions regarding a company’s MSSA membership, contact MSSA for clarification (901) 452–6444.

3M Commercial Graphics DivisionA&C Plastics Inc.Admiral Wholesale Sign ComponentsAdvanced Power TechnologiesAgiLight, Inc.Akzo Nobel CoatingsAllanson Lighting ComponentsAltec IndustriesArkemaArlon Graphics, LLCArthur J. Gallagher & Co.BDB Enterprises, Inc.Cirrus SystemsCooley Sign & Digital ProductsCornerstone EngineeringCovestro LLCCurbell Plastics, IncCustom Foam FabricatorsCustom Products CorpDaktronics, Inc.Direct Sign WholesaleEastern Metal Supply-ALEastern Metal Supply-TXEBSCO Signs & DisplaysEGL Company, Inc.Elliott Equipment CompanyElrod Engineering, LLCfacesFarco Plastics SupplyFDC Graphic Films, Inc.France Lighting SolutionsGE LightingGEMINIGeneva Capital LLCGrimco, Inc.GSG-Baton RougeGSG-CincinnatiGSG-Dallas

HartcoHendrick Manufacturing Corp.Herring SalesHusk SignsHybroco Sales, Inc.Independent’s Service CompanyIndy Imaging Inc.International Light TechnologiesJohnson Sales Company / Jasper Plastics SolutionsLetterFab, LLCMactacMatthews PaintM-D MetalsourceMedia ResourcesMET LaboratoriesMetomic CorporationMichael Brady Inc.Mimaki USAMiratec Systems, Inc.MK InsuranceMYCO, INCN. Glantz & SonOptec DisplaysOrafol AmericasPalram AmericasPlaskolitePolymershapesPrincipal LEDPrismview, A Samsung Electronics Co.Reece Supply Co of Dallas, Inc.Reece Supply Co of Georgia, Inc.Reece Supply Co of Louisiana, Inc.S & F Custom Sign CorpSaginaw PipeScott Powerline & Utility EquipmentSherwin-WilliamsSign & Digital Graphics

Sign Builders, Inc.SignFab, Inc.Sign Pro WholesaleSignCompSloanLEDSOAR An LSI SolutionSouthern Stud WeldSpartechSteel Art CompanySullaway Engineering, Inc.Surefire Sign Inc.The Ross GroupThinkSIGN, Inc.Thompson Engineering Services, LLCTotal Cut CNCTrinity ProductsTubelite Company, Inc. - BirminghamTubelite Company, Inc. - MemphisUS LED, Ltd.Vantage LEDVentex TechnologyVoltarcWatchfire SignsWorld Wide Sign SystemsWriscoYJ Inc.Z3 Graphics, Inc.Zlight Technology, LLC

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Attract New CustomersGENERATE NEW CUSTOMER INTERESTTo view article with links: https://www.signs.org/business-resources/buying-a-sign/signs-for-marketing/a-attract-new-customers

85% of your customers live or work within a five-mile radius of your business. If you want to grow your business, you should focus on this customer base. The quickest, easiest and most economical way to do this is with signage.

What’s the payoff? According to Consumer Perceptions of Signage and Economic Value of On-Premise Signage:• Increase sales by double digits (16% increase in weekly sales were reported for one business that combined a major building sign

modification with two additional minor changes.)• Reach drive-bys with increased visibility – the 54% of shoppers (a four-year study average) who say they have driven by and failed

to find a business because the sign was too small or unclear. Both older and younger age groups have reported this problem.• Reach new customers with quality design (33% of shoppers, a four-year study average, say they have been drawn into unfamiliar

stores based on the quality of their signs). Past studies have shown that the 18-24 age group is more prone to this behavior, with more than half in agreement.

Find a skilled industry professional to help create the right brand for your business to attract new customers.

Photos from the “Idea Exchange” Conference

720 Wildwood TraceWinchester, TN 37398

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage

PAIDMemphis, TN

Permit No. 1023

Biloxi, Mississippi

REGISTER ONLINE AT SIGNCONNEXION.COM

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