The International Sign Association and five member companies met with their congressional representatives this week as part of a larger initiative organized by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). The 2013 Manufacturing Summit brings business professionals in the manufacturing sector to Capitol Hill to help build an understanding of the importance of manufacturing and its impact on the economy.
Representing the sign industry were ISA Chairman and Midwest Sign Supply President Harry Niese; Acorn Sign Graphics President Beth Gillispie; Lisa Peterson with Federal Heath, and Nova Polymer’s Director of Global Affairs Dave Miller. Daktronics Co-Founder and Chairman, Dr. Al Kurtenbach, serves on the NAM board and also participated in the summit. Together, this five-company sign industry contingent represents manufacturing facilities in Illinois, Virginia, South Dakota, Minnesota, California, Texas and Ohio, totaling thousands of American jobs. These sign company representatives met with offices of fifteen U.S. Representatives and seven U.S. Senators, and educated members and staff on the federal issues that impact the sign industry.
“There is incredible value in connecting with congressional representatives and getting a few minutes to explain issues of concern to our industry and to the businesses in their districts,” said ISA President and CEO Lori Anderson. “The five companies that participated in this important event were able to make connections and start relationships with their congressional offices that they might not have been able to otherwise. They did a great job of raising the visibility of our industry on Capitol Hill.”
The Manufacturing Summit is the latest event in ISA’s work to expand understanding of the importance of signs at the federal level. In the past few years, ISA has worked with member companies to provide tours for Congressional representatives in their districts.
ISA also will partner with NAM to host a Manufacturing Day in October. This event is designed to showcase the value of careers in manufacturing. ISA’s goal is to educate a potential workforce about the sign industry. Sign companies interested in hosting high school, vocational school, and community college students can contact ISA’s Alison Kent to learn more.
