Another successful trade show held by the International Sign Association (ISA) is in the books. The event, which took place from April 24 to 26, 2014 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, attracted over 18,000 professionals in the sign and graphics space, according to show management. Nearly 199,000 square feet of show floor was taken up by close to 580 exhibitors show sources promoting new products, solutions, and tools for the industry.
The Show
The ISA International Sign Expo is known for ensuring its attendees are well taken care of. Scattered through the exhibit hall were charging stations for smartphones and tablets to make sure people stayed connected.
Aisles were decorated with floor graphics provided by a number of vendors adhered to carpet that served as wayfinding signage.
The notorious happy hour was back, with beer taps popping up on the floor at 4:00 p.m. each day. For a themed experience, visitors could relax at ORAFOL Americas? sponsored Biergarten, complete with beer, pretzels, a horn player, and steins.
Returning after last year was the Dynamic Digital Park. Several sessions were held in the area on dynamic digital signage, primarily how sign makers can succeed in offering this service in their own businesses. Vendors also exhibited in this designated section of the show floor, including 12 new companies, which was a 34 percent increase from 2013, according to ISA.
Roland DGA Corporation was an intricate part of last year park, where it polled attendees on their interest in digital display signage. The company introduced its new DisplayStudio, a turnkey solution that includes content management software, a compact digital media player, mounting hardware, and a choice of LCD displays.
The Exhibitors
Many companies announced product news at the trade show. New printers from Agfa Graphics, CET Color, Durst Image Technology US LLC, EFI, Hewlett-Packard (HP), Mutoh America, Inc., Polytype America Corporation, and PrinterEvolution debuted on the conference floor.
For the first time in the U.S., Agfa exhibited its Jeti Titan S and HS printers. The engines incorporate the latest generation 1,280 nozzle Ricoh Gen5 printheads.
CET Color demonstrated its new Q5 series of UV flatbed and hybrid printers. The six different devices also feature new Ricoh Gen5 technology.
Durst showcased the new Rho 312R UV inkjet digital roll printer for precision applications such as backlit and fine art. The Rho P10 250HS UV inkjet flatbed was also on the floor, touted as a ten picoliter industrial device.
EFI introduced the first LED printer in the company entry-level line of products, the EFI H1625 LED printer. 65 inches, it prints on a variety of substrates to expand application possibilities.
Targeted toward small- to medium-sized print service providers, the HP Latex 300 Printer series uses third generation HP 831 Latex Inks, which offer scratch resistance comparable to solvent.
Mutoh debuted three new printers enhancing its packaging and signage hardware line up with the ValueJet 426UF and ValueJet 1626UH devices. Both printers utilize UV LED ink. In addition, the new ValueJet 628 printer uses Mutoh Eco-Ultra ink in a small footprint of 24 inches, with versatility to output a number of different applications.
Polytype announced the Polytype NKM 21 grand format UV flatbed printer. It is a 4x8-foot combination flatbed/roll-to-roll device.
PrinterEvolution showcased its newest textile printer, Eos126, DS a 126-inch industrial-sized device for high-volume production. Like the company抯 Neo printers, the Eos126 DS on-board fixation unit is a true calendar, utilizing even heat and pressure.
Some vendors made company-wide announcements, such as Arlon Graphics, LLC, who promoted an entire rebranding. Gone is the red block letter logo, which is now replaced with a pronounced white A in an orange circle. The media company booth reflected the color change throughout, as did all of its personnel.
For products, Arlon promoted new color change films Ultimate PremiumPlus Series 2600LX, as well showcasing the capabilities of its vehicle wrap media with live demonstrations in the booth.
ORAFOL also installed car wraps throughout the show to highlight new materials that will formally be announced this Summer梥pecifically ORAJET 3981RA PVC-free wrapping film with RapidAir technology.
Attendees looking for a competitive atmosphere could visit Hexis USA booth for a wrap battle. Experienced wrap professionals competed at the show to be crowned the best installer of ISA 2014.
The Winners
ISA International Sign Expo promoted two contests throughout the event, inviting attendees to vote for the best new product and green? product. While the best new product was awarded to an LED signage company, Top Value Fabrics earned the win for best green product of 2014 with its Direct Print Textiles.
Save the Date
See what ISA has in store next year in Las Vegas, NV as the show returns to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center from April 8 to 11, 2015. We hope to see you there!