ISA is working hand-in-hand with affiliate executive directors to help associations grow, strengthen member value, and expand their local impact. Through advocacy support, workforce development initiatives, leadership programs, and high-visibility events, these efforts are designed to help affiliates attract and retain members, support sign companies, and build a stronger industry presence in their markets.
Each initiative on this page reflects that shared goal—providing practical tools, real-world support, and opportunities your association can use to grow today and into the future.
The ISA ELITE CLASS OF 2026 welcomes its 10th cohort for this member-only program. Participants will receive targeted leadership training, career-building networking opportunities and access to the Elite Alumni community. Already, ISA Elite are having an impact on your association. Since the program began, more than 30 Elite alumni have served in leadership roles with affiliated associations. ISA is feeling the benefits of their leadership as well, with more than 20 serving on the ISA board of directors or steering committees to guide ISA strategy. Be sure to congratulate this year’s Elite in your membership!
Want to learn more? Contact:
We know education and training are vital and you’ve asked for more hands-on opportunities. ISA BuildU, presented by Yorston & Associates, is ISA’s answer to that request. Attendees receive practical, hands-on training in the full lifecycle of sign building, from materials and fabrication to installation and permitting.
These events are regional, to allow for easy travel. Two are planned for later this fall: Cincinnati in October and Dallas in November. These workshops are designed for fabricators, project managers, installers, owners and sales professionals who want practical skills they can put to work right away.
Questions? Contact:
ISA’s local advocacy work will be recognized this September with a Power of Associations Award from ASAE. The recognition highlights ISA’s work to help communities develop reasonable sign codes and educate planners before problematic regulations take hold. The award also points to the broader value of the ISA and affiliate network: when local issues arise, the industry is stronger because there is expertise, coordination and advocacy already in place. This is strong proof that behind-the-scenes advocacy is delivering measurable value for member companies.
Contact:
Over the past year, ISA has engaged in efforts to revise sign codes in Rockville, MD. The sign code changes were part of a larger zoning ordinance rewrite. ISA noticed that language in the draft could have prohibited any internally illuminated freestanding signs. Working closely with local sign companies and the Rockville Chamber of Commerce, ISA was able to positively influence the code development.
The final result allowed EMCs with ISA-recommended brightness levels and reasonable hold times while removing the problematic internally illuminated sign restriction. It is a reminder that local code work can be highly technical and time-consuming, but the impact on sign companies and their customers is very real.
At the Texas Sign Association, David Hickey is continuing the important work of helping members understand and respond to local sign code issues, including the Houston sign code. This kind of affiliate engagement gives local leaders direct access to ISA expertise and helps connect municipal code activity to the real-world business concerns of sign companies. It also reinforces that ISA’s advocacy team is not only monitoring national trends, but showing up where affiliates and members need technical support. This is exactly the type of local-to-national connection that makes the association network stronger.
Contact:
ISA staff and board leaders continue to prioritize in-person connection with affiliates and members. These visits create opportunities to hear directly from local leaders, better understand regional challenges and make sure affiliate perspectives are reflected in ISA priorities. They also give affiliates a timely way to ask questions, raise concerns and connect members with resources they may not know are available. These visits help ISA to listen, learn and work alongside affiliates.
Did you know that ISA represents the sign industry’s interest on the National Electrical Code’s committee? ISA’s Kenny Peskin chairs the taskgroup that oversees achieving consensus recommendations on all Article 600 proposals (Electric Signs and Outline Lighting) and will serve as the floor manager for all Article 600 proposals during the September 2026 NEC code development hearings.
Contact:
Sign MFG Day remains one of the industry’s most practical workforce development tools. Previous events have helped change student perceptions about sign industry careers, build relationships with educators, generate internships and hiring opportunities, and introduce community leaders to the importance of sign manufacturing. The free 2026 toolkit gives companies resources to invite students, plan events, create content and promote their participation. Sign MFG Day is a strong opportunity to help members connect with schools, strengthen their workforce pipeline and show the community what the sign and graphics industry really offers.
See what’s ahead for ISA and affiliates in our Events Calendar
Workforce development remains a top challenge, and ISA continues to expand its online learning library to meet the need. In 2025 alone, ISA released 19 refreshed courses featuring new knowledge checks and assessments.
These additions bring the total course offering to more than 90—many available at significant discounts for affiliate members.
Contact:
Colorado Springs is exploring allowing more uses for electronic message centers. Because a city planner had participated in the Sign Research Foundation’s Scholars Program last year, they knew ISA could offer expertise.
ISA’s James Carpentier has already traveled to the city twice to participate in working sessions, opening the door for productive collaboration and better outcomes for the industry.
Contact:
When ISA learned of proposed code changes in Westfield, David Hickey provided local officials with critical SRF research. Local officials used those resources to shape their final code, including adopting ISA’s EMC brightness recommendations and reducing hold times to improve EMC effectiveness.
Another example of how SRF’s research directly supports local communities and members.
Contact:
