together we shape what's next
Welcome to ISA’s 2025 Progress Report—a story of belonging, shared vision, and collective success.
This year, every initiative, every resource, and every conversation was driven by one purpose: helping your business thrive. Because when you succeed, our entire community grows stronger.
Belonging is at the heart of that success. In an industry where competition is fierce, ISA creates the connections that unite us—helping us learn faster, build better, and lead together. Through advocacy, events, education, and collaboration, we’ve worked side by side with you to shape fair codes and regulations, expand member benefits, and strengthen your ability to exceed your clients’ expectations every time.
As you read on, you’ll hear stories of impact directly from sign and graphics industry professionals. That’s because every achievement here reflects your commitment and your vision. Together, with ISA leading the way, we’re not just building today—we’re shaping the future of our industry.
connections that spark real growth
- The National Sign Company Executive Forum brought together national leaders for a solutions-focused discussion about common challenges.
- A virtual conversation between installers and national sign companies deepened understanding and spawned a new Straight Talk series that will continue to bring collaborative partners together.
These events joined ISA’s stable of opportunities designed to build community and help participants achieve business goals.
Install Events
This 1:1 connection event pairs installers with national sign companies, leading to work that helps both businesses grow.
ISA Wrap Summit
Wrap industry leaders gather to generate new business ideas and forge powerful peer connections in this rapidly growing segment.
ISA Elite
Future sign and graphics industry leaders benefit from investment in their careers and grow a network of peers from across the country.
Ahead of the Trends, Insight to Thrive
ISA International Sign Expo 2025 was where ambition met opportunity. Thousands of attendees discovered breakthrough products, gained fresh insights, and connected with a vibrant community.
Key highlights of ISA Sign Expo 2025 included:
- Hands-On Learning: Demos, workshops, and bootcamps turned curiosity into practical skills. The Sign Shop Spectacular! and the Wrap Experience combined learning and friendly competition.
- Product Discovery: The latest product innovations helped attendees explore ways to stay ahead of the curve.
- Collaboration Corners: Returning events like ISA ROCKS! and Women Leading the Industry joined new events like the Affiliate Morning Mixer and the International Happy Hour to provide more intimate networking opportunities.
- Future Focus: Zones dedicated to emerging tech and trends were perfect for those looking to shape what’s next. Attendees capitalized on the latest insights from industry thought leaders in more than 30 education sessions, with attendance up 28%.
- New Audiences Experiential design organization SEGD and sign industry franchisor Signarama co-located their meetings at ISA International Sign Expo.
Skills Enhanced, Futures Improved
In a fast-changing industry, growth starts with learning. ISA empowers professionals to turn ambition into achievement through timely webinars, on-demand learning and a new hands-on education experience. Sign MFG Day recruits the next generation of workers. Taken collectively, they build confidence, capability, and leadership for the future.
- In 2025, ISA launched a new on-demand Learning Hub, making it easy to manage your staff’s education needs. The Hub features more than 80 courses tailored to meet the industry’s most pressing needs, with an all-access pass making onboarding and upskilling simple and affordable.
- ISA introduced a new six-part Signs 201 course, as well as six Spanish-language installation courses, ensuring that important safety and quality information is shared more widely. Use of ISA's on-demand learning was up 38 percent over 2024 levels.
- ISA launched a new hands-on workshop, BuildU, that moved participants through interactive learning stations to engage directly with materials and process experts. More BuildU events are planned for 2026.
- Sign MFG Day builds relationships with the future workforce. In 2025, 60 companies invited students for tours to hear more about a career in sign and graphics.
One Voice, Stronger Communities
Improved sign codes mean better signs and improved business for sign company customers. In 2025, ISA assisted 82 members with sign codes and regulation issues. We also helped 35 communities across the US in developing sign codes that allow businesses to thrive. A few examples:
Sunny Isles, Florida, contacted ISA, asking for help in reviewing their sign code. They touted ISA's expertise in this area as vital to their project.
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Congress hears from sign industry
Using ISA brightness recommendations, ISA worked with the city of Reno, Nev., to allow electronic message centers at local schools. ISA worked closely with member companies to make the winning argument.
ISA represented the industry's interest throughout the development of the 2026 National Electric Code and defeated an International Zoning Code (IZC) proposal that would have required permits for any addition of artificial light.
ISA met with representatives from agencies whose regulations directly impact the sign and graphics industry: the EPA, Department of Labor, Department of Energy, NHTSA and the Federal Highway Administration. Tax policy impacts all businesses and ISA met with the Office of Management and Budget and staff from the House Speaker's office and members of the Ways and Means Committee.
planners educated on sign code issues through in-person events and webinars in 2025.
trained planners and local officials since 2011.
See where ISA'S Advocacy Worked in 2025
The Power - and Importance - of Belonging
Every voice sparks possibility. Together, we’re shaping a future of shared achievement, amplifying impact and unlocking new horizons for all. Over time, the connections made and insights gained can influence a career.
Leading the Way
The International Sign Association is led by a diverse board of directors who help create programs that better the sign, graphics and visual communications industry.
2025 Executive Committee
- Betsy Swan, Chair, Allen Industries, Inc.
- Carlos Salinas, Vice Chair, CS Signs
- Matt Smith, Secretary/Treasurer, G2G Lighting
- Mandy Wisner, Past Chair, Southern Signs, Inc.
2025 Board of Directors
- Matthew Baker, Bakers’ Signs & Manufacturing, Conroe, TX
- Jason Buxton, Midwest Light & Sign, Inc., Farmington, MO
- Matthew DiSalvatore, Creative Signs, Inc., Apopka, FL
- Stephen Harroun, Harroun Designs, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA
- Bill Lockett, Cima Network, Inc., Chalfont, PA
- Corey Perez, Ad Art, Inc., Flower Mound, TX
- Ryan Schurle, Schurle Signs, Inc., Lawrence, KS
- Eric Simmons, Cummings Resources, Mt Juliet, TN
- Stuart Stein, ESCO Manufacturing, Waterton, SD
- John Stevens, HP, West Palm Beach, FL
- Scott Walton, Plaskolite, Columbus, OH
Peer recognition for isa leaders
ISA President and CEO Lori Anderson was named Trade Association Executive of the Year at the Association TRENDS Salute to Association Executive awards, one of the most prestigious awards in the association industry. Lori was honored for transforming the structure, culture and public image of ISA.
At the same Salute to Excellence event, ISA Chief Operating Officer Alicia Auerswald was named an Association Trailblazer. Alicia was recognized for leading several ISA initiatives that have helped members grow their businesses, while leading an award-winning marketing team.
