International Sign Association Projects Tackling Industry’s Most Challenging Issues Earn National Awards
Alexandria, VA – January 13, 2017 — The International Sign Association’s workforce and advocacy initiatives have been named winners by national organizations.
ISA’s efforts at finding and recruiting the next generation of sign, graphics and visual communications industry employees earned two nods in the Power of A Awards, presented by the American Society of Association Executives.
ISA’s Elite program, which helps to develop the next generation of industry leaders through training and networking opportunities, earned a Power of A Silver Award in the category Create a Competitive Workforce. ISA’s broader workforce development initiatives, which include Sign Manufacturing Day and workforce training, also won Silver in that category.
The two Power of A awards join a recent honor for ISA’s advocacy efforts, the National Journal Innovation Award 2016. That award recognized ISA as having one of “Wash¬ing¬ton’s most creative and solutions-oriented government affairs offices.” ISA’s storytelling initiative, which is designed to tell the impact that government regulations have on businesses and communities, was honored.
“Stifling regulations and a competitive workforce are two of the most difficult issues that face the sign, graphics and visual communications industry,” said Lori Anderson, ISA president and CEO. “Consequently, ISA works hard on behalf of our members to create innovative solutions to address these issues. Both are areas in which we as an industry have made tremendous progress—though more work remains. The national awards only reinforce these achievements.”
In addition, ISA’s Digital Badge program saw significant growth in 2016. Students can pursue a digital badge to demonstrate proficiency in one of 15 skills vital to success in the sign, graphics and visual communications industry. ISA coordinates the program in conjunction with NOCTI. In the 2015-2016 school year, more than 1,400 students received an ISA Digital Badge—setting them apart as they look for entry-level positions. The 2016-2017 school year is already showing double digit growth over the same time period the previous year.
