Association Update - November 2025
As the year draws to a close, we have a few final opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate together. November brings our final webinar for the year, plus the upcoming Women in Print & Sign events, offering valuable spaces for networking and inspiration. We also have a few more member visits to make around the country, and a handful of recognition certificates still to present. With most activities winding down, we recognise it’s a busy time for our members, and we’re excited to make these last few events meaningful as we wrap up 2024.
We’re happy to share a recent partnership between the NZSDA and Taxi, offering members a 10% discount on facility fees. If you missed our recent webinar on Taxi, the recording is available in the members section of our website and provides a comprehensive understanding on what they offer and how members can access this. Looking ahead, we have one more webinar to run this year featuring Viv from DebtorInfo who will host a 30-minute coffee break session, offering insight on managing overdue debtors, topical advice to help you as you wrap things up for the year.
Last month we had the privilege of heading along to Letterheads 2024 to watch the traditional artists in the industry work their magic. The NZSDA are proud to sponsor two apprentices to go along to the event and we were blown away by the incredible work they were completing, so early in their careers. There are some truly outstanding creators out there and it was fantastic to see them in their element. I’d like to say a personal thank you to Alex from the Old Sign Shop in Nelson for taking me under his wing and teaching me a thing or two about wood graining and rust effects!
Melissa and I have been busy completing member visits around the country, namely in Hamilton, Whanganui, Invercargill and Queenstown. We were thrilled to present over 10 certificates of recognition over the last month. November will see us head to the central North Island to pay a visit to those members in Taupo and Tauranga.
Within the e-newsletter we are officially launching the much-anticipated new pathway for achieving Master Sign Maker accreditation! The Board has put significant effort into refining this accreditation, making it more accessible and valuable to those who demonstrate true mastery within the trade. The accreditation recognises quality, integrity, and service, and it provides a natural progression from NZSDA Membership. With a focus on learning, connection, and growth, the pathway encourages knowledge sharing and pushes members to make the most of the opportunities within the NZSDA community, setting them apart as leaders in the industry.
We are also looking ahead to 2025, working hard on the agenda for next years Sign Makers Conference and Awards of Excellence. While I know many of you are busy wrapping up loose ends before the end of the year, I encourage you to pencil in the dates for these events now to ensure they are well on the radar when you return after the holidays. This will be our 60th anniversary and we want to make it as special as we can for our members old and new.
Haere whakamua, kaua e hoki.
Move forward, do not turn back.
Nga mihi,
Mikayla Hopkins
