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The Sign Show 2008 Exhibition, Coventry, Ricoh Video
The Sign Show 2008
A major new trade show for the sign, screen printing and graphics industry will be an event not to be missed.
The Sign Show 2008 will be held on 2-4 September 2008 at the award-winning Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
Organiser’s are promising that the exhibition will unite the entire industry, and celebrate the diversity of the trade. Traditional techniques will be showcased alongside modern advances to create a multi-faceted event.
Event Director Ed Torniainen explains, “We recognise the importance of every area of this vast sector and wish to pay deserved attention to the sign industry’s roots as well as its exciting future.”
As publisher of industry leading Sign-Link magazine, Event organiser Link Exhibitions is drawing on over 15 years experience in the sign and print industry to provide a new approach in the creation of such an event. Industry feedback has shown that other trade shows have become too specialised with many professionals feeling that there was no longer an appropriate event for them to exhibit or visit.
This show promises to offer a diverse exhibitor profile, with a number of significant industry names signed up to appear at the event.
This includes Avery Dennison, AXYZ, Dakronics, Grafityp, Identify, Insight Sign Systems, Hampshire Flags, Pacer Systems, Robert Horne, SignComp Europe, Sign Makers Products, Teckel, TridonicAtco and William Smith
A full list of exhibitors can be found on the website at http://www.thesignshow.co.uk
The past few weeks have seen exhibitors looking forward to the 3-day-event and many have announced product launches or exclusive products that visitors will be able to view at the show.
Follow this link to view the latest Sign Show supplement which includes all the latest announcements from the exhibitors. Click Here
Event organisers have paid deserved attention to the overall experience of the show. Visitors will be treated to a variety of unusual and exclusive demonstrations. The Sign Show will allow you to experience first hand the developments that have been made in the trade, and to view how the old and new can complement each other.
There is no better place to experience this ethos first hand than at the demonstration area hosted by Peter Millichamp and his team from Createx UK
The demonstration area featured at The Sign Show will consist of a 45 sq metre pub exterior mock-up. Split into two sections, each will include fascias, windows, hanging signs and sales boards.
One side will be created using traditional sign making methods, which the other will be totally designed using today’s modern disciplines.
Peter Millichamp explains, “The emphasis is really on using new materials & skills to replicate what was produced traditionally, people believe that the ‘old’ skills have gone, but they have simply been modified for the modern materials available. Design is a major element in signage & we will be using good, basic ‘tried & tested’ design disciplines as the basis of the demonstration.”
“We certainly look forward to people not just asking us about what’s happening, but actually ‘having a go’ for themselves, there will be plenty of opportunity for that.
This demonstration area will be one of many throughout the hall.
Ed Torniainen continues, “We are looking forward to welcoming the Createx team, and also Chapman and Smith who will demonstrate the technique of gold gilding, and Pinstriping UK who will bring a further exciting dimension to the event.”
The Sign Show is also very proud that it has been chosen to host the prestigious Sign Industry Awards 2008, supported by the BSGA..
In order to make the event accessible to all, The Ricoh Arena was chosen as it is within a two-hour drive of 75% of the population. The venue also boasts ample appropriate private meeting space for sign professionals and key decision makers to network effectively.
Registration for The Sign Show is now open and couldn’t be easier, just log on to website at http://www.thesignshow.co.uk
Watch Ricoh Stadium Video Now [You will need sound] (-music)
<embed width="500" height="399" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" wmode="transparent" name="main" id="main" allowfullscreen="false" src="http://www.isigntube.com/player/vPlayer.swf?f=http://www.isigntube.com/player/vConfig_embed.php?vkey=28bc39aa24be94b319d2" type="application/x-shockwave-flash">Every visitor to The Sign Show will automatically be entered in a FREE prize draw…
And one will win a 44” Canon iPF8000S.
The printer will be provided by Velmex, UK distributor for Canon Large Format Printers. You can see it in action at The Show on stand D2.
The ultra-fast Canon imagePROGRAF S-Series production printers are ideal for professional print service providers who need to produce more output in less time.Mark Keeley, Managing Director of Velmex says, "The Sign Show is targeted at the people working at the very heart of the sign and display industry, so both Canon and Velmex are delighted to be able to offer such a prestigious prize, and one that each and every visitor to the show has an equal chance to win. The Canon iPF8000S printer is a superb printer, that is also targeted squarely at the sign and display print market, so the winner will be absolutely delighted I’m sure."
The Canon S-series, has been specifically designed for volume production of display graphics, posters and print-for-pay. With a maximum print resolution of 2400 x 1200 dpi, the new imagePROGRAF S-series is ideal for production print shops looking to produce posters, signage and display materials faster than ever before.
The draw for the printer will be made on the final day of The Sign Show.
Yet another excellent reason to visit The Sign Show.
Will you be the winner?
Torniainen concludes, “The count down to The Sign Show has truly begun, and all the elements are falling into place. A real buzz is evident amongst our exhibitors, and is indeed spreading throughout the industry. I recommend any one who intends to visit the show, registers as soon as possible so they are first to receive show announcements and offers. We are looking forward to seeing you at the September event.”[left]https://www.uksignboards.com/images/signextra/signshow/ed.jpg[/left]
Ed Torniainen
Event Director"Register Now"
http://www.thesignshow.co.uk.
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43 Replies
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The latest exhibitors announced for The Sign Show…
Spandex
Ashby Trade Signs
Robert Horne
William Smith
Avery Dennison
Canon
Grafityp
AXYZ Automation
Pacer Systems
Tekcel
… and many more. View complete floor plan, and register to attend on-line http://www.thesignshow.co.ukErika Williams
PR Manager -
The Sign Show has SOLD OUT!
And over 8,000 people have registered to attend the event.
View the floor plan and exhibitor list on the web site.
Any questions, please ask.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Erika
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I have just received the final exhibitor list and floor plan for The Sign Show so thought i would attach it to this thread for anyone that fancies a wee nosey at it. 😀
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Well the show has been and gone. Thanks to all those at UKsignboards for their support.
If you attended the show it would be useful if you could let me have some feedback – things you liked, things you didn’t.
And for any one that choose not to visit could you let me know why so that I can improve the show for next year.Erika
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Erika, many thanks.. i posted comments somewhere here, possibly in the other thread.
Hope you will get more involved here, we like comments from anyone.
1: Is there more halls at Ricoh to take advantage of? I currently going to another exhibition which isn’t far away in Stoneley Park, this has two big halls and plenty room for parking around Cov.
2: How many really did attend in the end?
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I thought show was good, but no better than Sign UK at the NEC . As always, too many printer & LED suppliers and not enough craft stuff (signwriters, gold leafers, built-up letter makers, etc.) But if you didn’t go you missed the machine that makes metal built up’s – awesome! (as they say on the bus from Birmingham airport to the Ricoh)… 😎
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Ah yes – I found the other thread!
Thanks for the comments – keep them coming.
And congratulations to Cheryl for the award. I have plenty more pics if you would like them?Erika
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quote Dave Rowland:1: Is there more halls at Ricoh to take advantage of? I currently going to another exhibition which isn’t far away in Stoneley Park, this has two big halls and plenty room for parking around Cov.
2: How many really did attend in the end?
1 – no the Ricoh only has the one exhibition hall – it’s 60,000sq meters, so pretty big. There are many other meeting rooms and conference rooms that hold a few hundred – like where we held the sign industry awards.
2 – Not as many as we would have like, and certainly not as many who had pre registered. I would like to know why!! Any one who can help I’d be grateful.
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I thought the show was very good but it was only the fact that you brought the traditional sign area back that initially got me there………sadly dropped from Sign UK a few years ago! Great to have a chat with Clive from Wrights of Lymm and Lynda and Kris of Pinstriping UK.
Once at the show I found it had more to offer a ‘one man band’ than I thought with a good selection of stands.
I didn’t miss the large format printers that seemed to take over at Sign & Digital, nor did I miss the smell!!!!!
It didn’t seem that busy on the Thursday but I’m sure attendance will grow year on year.
Overall I was impressed and I think if the show is on next year I’ll give Sign & Digital a miss and just do The Sign Show so thanks guys for a great show.
Neil
:thumbup2:
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I have a question (?)
What happened to the 8000 people that pre registered? 😮
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Thanks for the encouragement Neil!
As for the pre-registered, it’s the same question I’m asking. At midnight on Monday 1st Sept. day before the show, the number of people registered to attend stood at 9,182. Now obviously you cannot expect every one to turn up, but I’m hoping that you guys can help me find out why those people who said they were coming, didn’t.
Answers on a post card… 😕
I’ll post some pics of the traditional sign making stand later today.
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Do you have the figures for those that attended yet Erika?
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probably not really the same thing but…
UKSB has over 10,000 registered users. only small fraction actually participate, even though the traffic is around 350,000 unique visits each month.
UKSB is often asked to run contests. when we do, an even smaller fraction enter…
etc
etc
etcgo figure! 😕 i think It is back to the great British public liking to have their moan and criticise but do nothing about it. :lol1:
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I do have figures – but we don’t want to get caught up on numbers do we 😉
I don’t want the figures to be used by other parties against the event to say it was not a success.
It’s fair to say we would have liked more people to attend, we felt we had created an exhibition that was worthy of curiosity at the very least.
That said all exhibitors left happy with good leads and some amazing sales figures, which you will see in Sign-Link this month.
So I’m trying to get as much feedback as possible while it is fresh in people’s minds to improve the show for next year.
We are toying with the idea of holding the event on a Saturday – any thoughts on this?
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I was registered, and fully intended to go, but an influx of work meant
that I couldn’t. Perhaps others were in a similar situation. -
I can imagine Jamie’s reason repeated very often especially by smaller sign makers with less cover when they are away. I did go on Thursday and found it quit quiet and very low key, it did however enable me to spend more time at stands of interest. It was nearer for me and the parking was significantly better. Is there a need for 2 sign shows…. only time will tell.
Alan D -
I went in late afternoon on the Wednesday…really enjoyed the hand sign writing and the fact they let you ‘have a go’. It was really quiet tho.
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quote :I have a questionWhat happened to the 8000 people that pre registered?
We registered but were too busy to go, this is a busy time if year we find and I guess so do many others judging by the interest shown but the lack of footfall.
Sign uk is a better time if year
John
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Sat is a family day for most, so your not going to see anyone… wednesday is traditionally uksb meet ups and it is the day in the middle of the week when your not struggling with end of week deadlines and monday morning is a pain!
You must come with us @ signuk time 😉 show you how sign makers party 😀 😀 😀 😀 perhaps be useful for next show
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I’d love to.
If they let me in 😉
All the pics from the event will be up on the web site today (including ones of the awards). I’ll post URL later.
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so who won the printer at the show?
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arrived at The Sign Show on Tuesday evening and left Thursday evening…
In the whole time I was there I did not leave the building. This, for me at least, had to be the best part of the venue…
I had accommodation in the Ricoh hotel, 71 rooms and suites. the rooms were good and at reasonable rates.
Food and Restaurants: There was a wide selection of restaurants and bars open from early morning till “I think” 5am in a couple of the Casino restaurants.
The casino itself was very nice…it was located right underneath the Sign Show. Down an escalator and you had arrived. Food and drink was very reasonable too and it didn’t close till 6am… “from what I can remember”
Although I did not drive to the show, there seemed to be ample parking space, of which I hear was free! I travelled by train from Scotland and arrived in Coventry City Station, The Ricoh was only 5 minutes in a taxi ride from there.The Show itself…. On entering It appeared to be a fair bit smaller than SignUK.
The Hall I recon was around half, maybe two thirds the size and with a lower ceiling. It very much resembled SignUK but with smaller stands. Allot of the larger suppliers were there, but also a pretty decent spread of the smaller suppliers too.
As has been said, the traffic seemed to go up and down throughout the day. This didn’t seem to be a bad thing because exhibitors actually had time to stand and chat.
Something I really never got a chance to do much of in the past…
I spoke with a good few exhibitors and had mixed views on how well things went for them. Many were of the same opinion, nice venue, a bit quiet at times, but purchases were still being made, some good leads and so on.I can honestly say I spent too much time gabbing to folk around the hall to actually digest everything on show. However, I would say my two Favourite finds of the show
Had to be The NEW smaller version of Ground Plug which I think will be ideal for Sign Makers at every level. http://www.groundplug.co.uk (the new plug is not yet on the website but will be featured here on UKSB soon).
The best part about this product is it has been created by a sign maker that knows all the aches and pains of erecting freestanding signs.
My second best find was something I have known about for some time, as well as many of you on here will. That is the Rolls Roller from WmSmith. Now you may think oh yeh, seen it, no interest to me… to big, too expensive.. that’s what I did!
Reality is, you honestly have to have a go at using it yourself to grasp the benefits and ease of use. It comes in various sizes, from an 8×4 upwards to about 6metres long. If you are a one man band and need help lettering, applying application tape, mounting graphics etc and need a an extra set of hands, this could be what you are after. Cheaper than an employee for one year, and this one doesn’t take holidays or days off and expect to get paid. http://www.rollsroller.co.uk as I said, “physically” give it a go at the next sign exhibition or road show. Ide be interested in your own thoughts.I think the industry awards being held day two upstairs from the show complemented the show nicely because again, it was all in the same building. From mingling at the show with sign makers and suppliers, to mingling, eating, drinking and laughing in the evenings too… 3 days and two nights with the a big chunk of the industry under one roof is ample time for some serious networking.
I have often threatened to attend the awards, but never have. This time round I decided to go for it and I am glad I did. I had a really good evening with good friends from the boards as well as meeting up with suppliers and the like throughout the night.
Having three UKSG members shortlisted for an award in three categories just added to the excitement for us all… Sadly, by the end of the awards, only one of us was taking home a trophy, that was Cheryl Smith and she deserved it! :appl:
Ian Johnston lost out to Active Signs, which is not what I would call a loss at all, As Active are one of the biggest players in our industry, so well done mate! :appl:
Me? Well I would hate to loose a bloody egg and spoon race never mind The Industry Awards… :baby:
Yes, Raccoon took that one for the 4th year running… never mind, I swallowed my pride in one go with a large glass of wine and made my way to the carnival side shows gritting my teeth, determined to win at least a coconut!This is one of my pictures from the awards…
It looks a bit like Val Hirst of Sign Directions Magazine is slapping Jo Brand, ahem… I mean John Sergeant whilst Craig Brown of the BSGA tries to contain his laughter. :lol1:
On that note, it was great to finally meet up with Val & Craig at the show…
So was The Sign Show a success? I guess only the organisers will truly know that.
I personally think they made a damn good first go of it… Where it will go from here, only time will tell….
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Thank you for all the comments. Keep them coming.
Pics can be found here http://www.thesignshow.co.uk/showpics.php we will be adding more throughout the day.
As for the printer. The draw is being made next week at the Canon head office. The result will be in The Show supplement in the next issue of Sign Link, which goes to press 26th Sept.
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Thanks for your kind words Robert, we were really pleased with the show – the Cross Spear had loads of interest, now we’re just trying to follow up with everyone that wanted more information.
Note we will add a new web page for Cross Spear at the beginning of next week – will keep you posted.Hamish
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Hi all,
I would like to pull a few quotes from the boards to use in the post show supplement that I am preparing. Can you let me know asap if you would not like me to use any thing you’ve posted.
Cheers
Erika
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Hey all,
Sign-Link is out in the next couple of days so you’ll be able to see and read a bit more about the show.
We are having a meeting with the Ricoh tomorrow so following that we will be able to officially announce the dates for next year’s show.Oh and some inside information. The Canon printer was won by Signs Express in Milton Keynes. I’ve just spoken to Stuart who is very pleased and currently clearing the print room to make room for the new addition. We’ll be covering the install in the next addition of Sign-Link
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Nice to see a small Struggling sign company won the printer, NOT.
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Good point Ian.
Jason
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dont be cynical. I’m sure the draw was random,
Peter
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Ian, Granted the signs express umbrella is a Big One within the UK mate, has around 80 outlets i think, but it is a franchise group. this means their shops are all individuals and often are started up by one man bands, husband and wife teams and so on. Yes there will be some with more staff than others but they are still small individual companies, but under the one branding/group.
The company running the canon campaign is not connected to The Sign Show or Signs Express. Nor is it connected to uksignboards.com but you could register for the same contest through this website. (see signextra section) now lets say one of our UKSG members won that printer. bearing in mind we have around 350 UKSG group members and over 10,000 registered members… would others then think "its a fix" too, because we promoted the contest and one of our own won?
I had one of our members tell me only the other day that someone was on another website accusing "me" of only being shortlisted for the UK Sign Industry awards because uksignboards.com has been promoting the The Sign Show. Even though the organisers of The Sign Show are completly unconnected to the Sign Industry Awards.
On top of that, if this person actually knew what they were talking about, they would realise that the Sign Industry Awards has always been run along with Sign UK each year, (only this year was it changed) and uksignboards.com has been promoting that same SignUK exhibition for over 5 years now. So if there is something dodgy going on, why nearly 6 years down the line do i get a chance of a prize, but still get beat? :lol1: :lol1: :lol1:anyway, I’m not trying to be smart mate, just trying to explain it’s not always just as it may seem. 😀
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Erika, just one thing
as advertised here says free parking, i paid about £3-4 on a barrier system! -
you probably parked in the wrong place mate. 😉
i am guessing mate, i think you had to take a token or your show ticket to front desk to get your free parking, or park in certain area. i think it was something like that anyway… I’m probably wrong. :lol1:
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dave i can understand you being annoyed…..yer a stingy git :lol1: :lol1: did you buy me a drink at signuk? :no1:
(or marcellas 40th……………….mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, now yer wee wheelies are going eh!!!!) :lol1: :lol1:
nik
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quote Dave Rowland:Erika, just one thing as advertised here says free parking, i paid about £3-4 on a barrier system!you sure that wasnt the drinks machine? 😀 😀 (anyway….you should be happy you found Coventry!!! 😀 😀
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Dave,
I was given a car park exit ticket at the registration point. Parked there for 2 days in total and didn’t cost a penny.
Chris.
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Dave,
parking was free.You should have asked at the main entry point into the show and the Ladies would have exchanged your ticket for a free pass for the barrier.
It has to be done like that, because you’ve got other people parking in the same place going into the casino, CCFC supporters shop and the sport centre.
Cheryl 😀
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omg… did i miss the sign?
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quote Nicola McIntosh:dave i can understand you being annoyed…..yer a stingy git :lol1: :lol1: did you buy me a drink at signuk? :no1:
(or marcellas 40th……………….mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, now yer wee wheelies are going eh!!!!) :lol1: :lol1:
nik
i was outpaced by u lot!! how many bottles did i have left over
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quote Ian Pople:Nice to see a small Struggling sign company won the printer, NOT.Hi Ian – I’ve been with Signs Express for over 18 years and no one in the group has ever won anything at one of these types of trade shows…I got an email from Stuart at Milton Keynes to say he had won (at first he thought it was a wind up), he’s over the moon and like you works hard for every job…
…I’m chuffed for him as you couldn’t wish to meet a nicer bloke and at the end of the day he put his name forward by going to the show.
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i not seen the announcement, oh well..
i guess just as important, how many uksb’ers actually entered? -
none dave, it was all a dream,
You are obviously a well traveled international entrepreneur now, I just hope you remember who your friends are 😉
Peter
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quote Dave Rowland:Erika, just one thing as advertised here says free parking, i paid about £3-4 on a barrier system!
Morning all.
couple of things to clear up then. First of all – the parking. The registration desk had all the tickets for the exit barrier. When you arrived and collected your visitor badge you should have been asked if you had travelled by car. At that point the registration desk should have exchanged your white ticket for a red exit pass. We also had a batch at the organiser’s office.Unless you arrived on Tuesday when within an hour of the show opening a truck crashed into the car park barrier and the whole system was broken so every one was allowed in and out for free!! How’s that for luck!!
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Next – the Canon competition.
Although similar, this was a separate competition to the one you would have seen on the board, or in other media (May Sign Directions for example)
That draw was open to everyone who registered their details on the web site.The competition that we ran was only open to those who attended The Sign Show. So everyone that had their name badge scanned at the entrance – visitors and exhibitors (see not to make up the numbers!!!) was automatically entered into the draw.
The draw then took place at the Canon office in Reigate 19/9 by Shane Burchett.
The official announcement is in this months Sign-Link, along with a picture of the draw taking place. But I thought I’d let you all know first.
Hope that clears things up.
I’ve also spoke to Stuart, who was almost speechless. I will doing a follow up article detailing the installation of the machine and profiling the winner. So you’ll get a true insite in the November Sign-Link
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