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With a full range of session tracks and targeted sessions at ISA Sign Expo^® 2020, you will discover a variety of information designed to empower your business and career. Event details, dates and times subject to change.

Check out the full list of sessions, including their detailed descriptions, below.

For pricing information, visit our Pricing & Packages page.

Pre-Conference | Saturday, August 22

8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
ISA-01: Business Boot Camp for Wrap Professionals by Avery Dennison
Justin Pate, The Wrap Institute
John Duever, Vinyl Images and Design
Track: Pre-Conference Workshop

It’s one thing to know how to wrap, it’s another to know how to run a business, with wrapping vehicles as a component. The wrap industry can be extremely exciting and rewarding. Equally, it can be very frustrating as it has unique business challenges that most industries do not face. This can lead to long hours, tension in the workplace, frustrated clients and financial goals not being met. The Business Boot Camp for Wrap Professionals has been designed to address these issues head on by offering comprehensive solutions combined with detailed analysis of the key aspects in a wrap shop from ownership to sales to marketing to upselling and more. The Business Boot Camp is entirely geared to create clear communication channels, facilitate growth both short and long term by streamlining workflow and increase profits. Earn a digital badge upon completion of the workshop.

Sunday, August 23

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
ISA-02: Second Chances: Shon Hopwood’s Incredible Story of Robbing Banks, Winning Supreme Court Cases, & Finding Redemption
Shon Hopwood, Associate Law Professor, Georgetown University Law Center
Track: Game Changer

At the age of 23, Shon Hopwood found himself heading to prison. His life lacked direction, and he had little to no confidence that his future would unfold happily or successfully. And yet, just two short decades later, he is a happily married father and an accomplished lawyer teaching his craft at one of the nation’s most highly-respected schools of law. How did he turn it all around? Where did he find the motivation to persevere past self-doubt and overcome enormous hurdles toward success? With this speech, Hopwood shares his moving personal story and his tips for accomplishing any big goal. Woven in between anecdotes from his life, he touches on:

• The importance of setting goals that are attainable, and celebrating when you meet them
• Persevering despite critics and refusing to listen to discouragement
• Abandoning a need for instant gratification to chase a bigger dream
• Believing in second chances

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
SRF-01: SRF Presents: Signs 101
TJ Daly, President, Acorn Sign Graphics
Track: SRF

This introduction to sign construction and technology will discuss the various sign types, materials, and best practices in design, fabrication, and regulation of commercial signage.

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
SRF-02: SRF Research Insights: The Art & Science of Urban Wayfinding
Chris Rogers, Owner & Founder, Yazi
Kelly Barbrey, VP of Marketing & Communications, Experience Columbia
Martin Brown, CEO, Colite
Track: SRF

Over the last twenty years, urban areas from small town main streets to the downtown districts of the largest cities have developed wayfinding and identity systems to enhance their brand, ease navigation and reinforce key destinations. Communities have seen stronger wayfinding systems as a way to sustain economic viability. Get an inside look at the planning, design, and implementation of the new urban wayfinding program in Columbia SC from the team that made it happen. They will walk you through the process of envisioning and realizing the new system in South Carolina’s Capitol city.

Monday, August 24

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
SRF-04: SRF Presents: Sign Regulation Roundtables
Facilitated by Sapna Budev, Executive Director, Sign Research Foundation
Track: SRF

This collaborative session will analyze the sign ordinances of 50 communities across the United States. The roundtables will be divided by community size and will discuss the positive and negative aspects of each sign code as well as the ease of the permitting process. Each roundtable will include 5 sign regulators (city planners) and 5 sign company professionals to encourage a holistic review. We recommend this session for anyone responsible for applying for sign permits and variances.

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
ISA-03: Confessions of a Corporate Futurist: Coming Trends That Will Revolutionize Your Business
Sheryl Connelly, Ford Motor Company
Track: Game Changer

No one knows what the future holds and despite our best efforts to prepare for the unknown, the future plays out in unexpected ways. All too often, the success and failure of an organization comes down to its ability to manage uncertainty and effectively identify how external—and seemingly unrelated—trends could have significant impacts to one’s business. In this compelling keynote, Sheryl Connelly reveals her secrets for how to think like a futurist, providing audiences with the expertise and strategies necessary for effectively anticipating change. From the 10 mega trends that could change the world as we know it before the year 2050 (which is a lot sooner than it seems), to perspective that will forever change one’s approach to long-term planning and strategy, Connelly delivers the insights necessary for organizations across industry sectors to thrive, innovate and remain relevant

Tuesday, August 25

8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
WLI Keynote — Art of Executive Presence*
Buddy Bush, JB Training Solutions
Track: WLI

In business it’s often the finer details that count. It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it, and how you act when you say it. It’s not always about who has the leadership title but who can make a great first impression, command a presence, and handle social situations with professionalism. Often, brilliant employees with innovative ideas are ignored because they fail to convey executive presence and instill trust in their capabilities. This session will break down executive presence and how you can create a positive impression, command a room, and communicate confidentially and with purpose, both verbally and nonverbally. Leave with the skills to exude confidence and strong executive presence in any situation.

*SRF sessions and WLI Keynote are not included in any ISA Education Packages and require separate registration. Click here to learn more.

• New requirements for labeling signs
• Newly visibility requirements for markings
• Newly written section applying to retrofitted signs and retrofit kits
• And much more