The International Sign Association (ISA) has formed a strategic alliance with the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC) to bring the sign industry together with other graphics communications market segments at the Print 13 trade show this September in Chicago, Ill., for the first time.

The two organizations have begun working together to support new opportunities for their members and customers in the sign, display and large-format photo imaging segments of the printing industry.

“ISA is excited to partner with GASC and to provide relevant information about the sign industry,” says Lori Anderson, president and CEO of ISA. “This alliance will enable both organizations to reach out beyond our existing customers to help the industry grow and prosper.”

Specifically, ISA will sponsor a new wide-format printing pavilion at the show, with information about large-scale applications, innovations, trends and techniques. The goal of this zone is to provide both a ‘one-stop shop’ for printing professionals representing sign and display shops and a new opportunity for other commercial printing specialists to learn directly from sign-industry experts, who will offer guidance about why and how to diversify their business into signs and displays.

A theatre within the pavilion will host 30-minute presentations on topics like digital inkjet technologies, high-speed print production, proofing and prototyping. These educational presentations will be open to all show attendees.

“We are excited about ISA bringing valuable content to Print 13,” says Ralph Nappi, president of GASC. “We have partnered to bring attendees the most comprehensive mix of applications, education, best practices, equipment, software and research.”

Exhibitors straddling the sign and print industries have also expressed optimism about ISA’s involvement in the show.

“This alliance will enhance the learning opportunities at Print 13 and allow attendees to strengthen their networks,” says David Murphy, HP’s director of marketing for graphics solutions across the Americas.

“An ISA and GASC collaboration is brilliant, adding more value for our customers and prospects by giving them more reason to come to Print 13,” says Frank Tueckmantel, Electronics for Imaging’s (EFI’s) vice-president (VP) of corporate marketing, who points out his own company’s product lines range from label printers to super-wide-format inkjet presses.

“We seek the highest return on investment (ROI) in exhibiting at trade shows, so we are excited about the partnership,” says Ziki Kuly, VP of marketing for Scodix, whose equipment is used for commercial, packaging and signage printing applications.

“Each organization has different communities,” says Mal Baboyian, executive VP (EVP) of Canon/Océ Business Systems. “Together, the benefits and value to attendees and suppliers alike should equal more than the sum of their parts.”

“Print 13 is the perfect complement to our own International Sign Expo for wide-format printer manufacturers and suppliers of related products,” says ISA’s Anderson. “I have no doubt those who visit the pavilion theatre will come away with new ideas for expanding and enhancing their business.”

The show will take place at Chicago’s McCormick Place from September 8 to 12.