Wanted: outstanding sign-makers for awards
The British Sign and Graphics Association (BSGA) has appealed to talented sign-makers, wide-format printers and signage firms of all types to enter the industry’s showcase awards event.
Thursday, 09 Aug 2018 09:25 GMT
The awards night is held in November and is a glittering occasion as well as a great place to network
The deadline for entry to the 2018 British Sign Awards, organised by the BSGA, is next month. David Catanach, director of the BSGA, says: “The closing date for submitting entries is Friday, September 7th, so any sign-makers out there who have completed work they are proud of should get their submissions ready now.”
There are 15 award categories covering every facet of sign-making from large scale structural signs, through to wayfinding schemes to wide-format projects and multi-site roll-outs.
The glittering event is held in the Athena Centre in Leicester
“We also have a special award for the Young Sign-Maker of the Year which is open to anyone working in the industry aged 25 or under and which, for the first time, carries cash prizes for the winner and runners-up,” adds Catanach, continuing: “The award recognises the role young people play in the industry and highlights the importance of providing them with the right type of training.”
There is also a change in this year’s vehicle graphics awards, as he says: “Advances in materials, technology and application skills means that virtually any vehicle can be either wrapped or liveried and we have given the judging panel the facility to make a range of awards in this category. So, depending on the quality of the entries received, we could end up with awards for Best Van Wrap, Best Fleet Livery, Best Sports Livery, and so on.
Six times world snooker champion Steve Davis will be the host for the awards
“We want the awards to reflect what’s happening in this sector of the industry and this year’s format gives every business involved the opportunity to gain recognition for their outstanding work.”
There’s also a special award for the Small Sign Business of the Year, recognising that by far the largest part of the industry is made up of SMEs. The category is open to any business employing five or less people and they are invited to submit a selection of work completed over the past 12 months.
“Winning the Small Sign Business title can be a major boost for a small enterprise, giving it the impetus to move on to the next level,” says Catanach.
Entry to the awards is free and is open to all UK sign and associated businesses such as vehicle wrappers”
Another special category is for the Product of the Year and, whilst industry experts are invited to nominate products, manufacturers and suppliers are also invited to submit entries. The big difference with this award is that it is decided by the sign-maker members of the BSGA, who are polled for their votes. Catanach says that winning the Product of the Year award is ‘marketing gold’ so anyone who has introduced a new product to the UK sign industry should put in their application.
Entry to the awards is free and is open to all UK sign and associated businesses such as vehicle wrappers. Membership of the BSGA is not a requirement for entry. All that is needed is to complete the relevant entry form and attach high resolution images of the featured project. The 2018 Awards will take on Thursday, November 8th, at The Athena Centre, Queen Street, Leicester where six times world snooker champion Steve Davis will be the host for the awards.
Entry criteria and advice for each award, together with entry forms, can be found on the awards website at www.britishsignawards.org.
Will you be entering? If you are then email me with your news Harry@linkpublishing.co.uk or call me on 0117 9805 040. Or react to the story on Twitter and have your say.
