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 Hub remains a prominent destination at ISA International Sign Expo. Affiliates have a built-in opportunity to showcase their presence, connect with current members and prospects, and elevate their local brand. The affiliate executive directors who participated at ISA Sign Expo 2026 reported great engagement with members and prospects.
It’s not too early to start thinking about participating at ISA Sign Expo 2027 in Las Vegas, March 31-April 2.
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ISA Elite is a powerful leadership development program designed exclusively for ISA member companies. It equips emerging professionals with leadership skills, industry insights, and a national peer network they bring back to your local market—and in many cases, to your board.
Affiliates can use ISA Elite as a recruitment and retention tool, helping member companies invest in their future leaders, all while seeing positive impacts among affiliate leadership.
Plan to celebrate the ISA Elites from your region when the 2026-2027 class is named later this summer.
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Sign Manufacturing Day is one of the most powerful ways to introduce new talent to the industry and support workforce development. ISA provides a toolkit and expert insights to help member companies make the most of this event. While it is typically held in the fall, there are lots of reasons to start planning now:
By promoting participation now, you help members build their future workforce while elevating your association’s visibility.
ISA’s advocacy team continues to deliver real, measurable value to affiliates.
In Greene Township, PA, ISA worked alongside industry partners to address proposed sign code changes that could have negatively impacted local businesses.
The result: adoption of a more modernized, appropriate sign code—demonstrating the direct impact of advocacy support. Said one participating company: “ISA Advocacy was responsive, knowledgeable, and easy to work with… helping achieve a positive outcome for our clients, our company, and the sign industry as a whole.”
Make sure your members know of this FREE resource available to them.
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The ISA advocacy team partners with planners to connect, educate, and advance fair, reasonable sign codes that support local sign companies.
Recently, ISA participated in the American Planning Association’s National Planning Conference. It’s at events like this that ISA’s advocacy team connects with thousands of local planners—many of whom reach out for assistance when crafting new sign codes.
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.
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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.
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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.
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