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2024 National Sign Makers Conference

12-14 June 2025, Whakatu Nelson

Join us in celebrating the 60th National Sign Makers Conference, proudly supported by Diamond Sponsor Digital Signs. The conference theme is ‘Tradition Meets Tomorrow,’ celebrating the traditional history of sign making, while looking to the innovative future of the industry.

Location

Rutherford Hotel
27 Nile Street West,

Nelson 7010

Contact us

If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact mikayla@nzsda.org.nz

Register for Conference

Click the buttons below to download the conference registration forms. Please send completed form to mikayla@nzsda.org.nz.

Registration closes on 10 April.

Full Package

Early Bird Pricing (Before 1 April)
$ 1,365
+GST
  • Your registration fee covers three night’s accommodation with breakfast at Rutherford Hotel, Welcome Event, activities, meals, transport and speaker sessions.
  • Non-Member Price $1,600+GST
  • Add partner for additional $500+GST
Popular

Activities Package

Early Bird Pricing (Before 1 April)
$ 565
+GST
  • Your registration fee covers Welcome Event activities, meals and transport; Day Two tour and talk, meals and transport.
  • Non-Member Price $750+GST
  • Add partner for additional $500+GST

One Event

$ 220
+GST
  • Welcome Event
  • Friday Day Sessions
  • Friday Night Event
  • Non-Member Price $280+GST. Add partner for additional $220+GST

Thank you to our Diamond Sponsor

Digital Signs are leading media & communications experts in digital signage, LED screens and billboard solutions. 

As Diamond Sponsor, they align perfectly with our 2025 conference theme, ‘Tradition Meets Tomorrow,’ as digital signage solutions are projected to be a big part of the future of the industry.

For NZ sign shops, offering digital signage is a way to stay competitive and attract new customers. We are thrilled to partner with Digital Signs for our 2025 events. 

“Digital Billboards achieve 400% more views than a static sign.”(Intel Corp 2014)

Keynote Speaker

AI is changing business fast. You’re already using it in everyday tools like Adobe, Google, and Microsoft, but there are opportunities right now to save valuable time and automate daily tasks. The most important step is laying the foundations to make the most of future developments. In this session, Nigel Davies will share practical AI applications you can use today and a roadmap to prepare for what’s ahead.

Nigel founded M-Power Software in 2007, a system designed to simplify and automate sign companies. He employs AI data scientists and has spoken on AI at FESPA events in Australia and the Middle East. As president of FESPA Australia, he brings decades of industry experience, having also founded an industrial printing company in Brisbane and a sign company in Mackay, QLD.

Expert Panel

Leanne Freeman, Sign FX
Nick Kapica, Independant Consultant
Jeremy Hunt, Big Brown Industries
Denise Kirby, Kirby Co
Paul Walters, Identity Signs

2025 Sign Makers Conference Agenda

12:00 – 15:00pm
Registration, Rutherford Hotel Foyer

15.30-16.30pm
Annual General Meeting – Waimea Room, Rutherford Hotel

17:30pm
Transport Pick up at Rutherford Hotel

18:00-22:00pm
Welcome Event – Tour, Dinner and Drinks @ The Nelson Classic Car Museum

Saturday Signwriting Masterclass

Saturday, 14 June

In celebration of our 60th anniversary, and as a nod to our conference theme ‘Tradition Meets Tomorrow,’ we are delivering a ‘Letterheads’-style Give It a Go series on traditional signwriting on Saturday morning prior to the awards ceremony. Led by experienced traditional artists, this session will provide you with an immersive experience of where it all began

This session costs an additional $70 + GST onto your conference registration. Please indicate on your registration form if you wish to attend. Transportation and a packed lunch will be provided.