Association Update – April 2025

April is here already, and with it the darker evenings, cooler temperatures, and the undeniable feeling that the year is flying by! It’s hard to believe how quickly time is passing, and with that, our annual conference and awards are just around the corner.

Conference registration closes today, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome attendees for what promises to be an unforgettable event. This year is particularly special as we celebrate our 60th anniversary, a milestone that reflects six decades of growth, innovation, and community. We’re looking forward to insightful discussions, inspiring keynote speakers, and the chance to connect with so many of you in person.

Entries for the 2025 Sign Display Awards of Excellence are closing soon, with the final deadline being 28 April. This is your chance to showcase your most innovative, creative, and outstanding work from the past year and gain well-deserved recognition within the industry. Winning or even being a finalist is a fantastic opportunity to boost your reputation, celebrate your team’s hard work, and gain visibility among peers and potential clients. It is also a requirement for achieving Master Sign Maker Accreditation, so I would strongly encourage anybody hoping to achieve the accreditation to submit an entry.

We are also still seeking entries for the 2025 Notable Awards. These awards celebrate individuals who make a big impact in their workplace or the industry as a whole. Whether they are championing innovation and sustainability, leading with integrity, or committing to learning and growth, we want to see them recognized. Nominations are open to anyone. Whether it is your boss, a staff member, or a mate in the industry, we want to hear about them.

We are calling for more businesses to take part in National Sign Making Day 2025, on 1 May. This is a unique opportunity to showcase the sign industry to future talent by opening your doors to high school students for a behind-the-scenes tour. Participation is free, and we will provide all the resources you need to make the day a success. Register now and help us to inspire the next generation of sign makers. The more businesses that are involved, the more young people we can reach.

In addition to National Sign Making Day, we’ll be attending three Careers Expos in Auckland to further engage with students. We’d like to thank the sign shops already supporting us with this initiative. We’re aiming to expand these efforts across the country and encourage more businesses to get involved. If you’re aware of any local expos in your region, please let us know and we’ll send you through some information packs about Signee and Apprenticeships to share with them.

So far this year we have run regional meetings in Christchurch and Wellington, and we were thrilled to get record attendance at the Christchurch one. It is so important for the industry to take advantage of these opportunities to connect and learn from each other. In April we will be heading to New Plymouth to check in with our Taranaki members. This year we are keeping the meetings simple, with less guest speakers and more opportunity for members to hear directly from the board and to voice their questions.

The new Master Sign Maker Accreditation has seen strong interest, with two sign shops already completing the pathway and many more actively working toward certification. The final intake for this round is in May, and official Master Sign Maker plaques will be awarded at the prestigious Awards of Excellence ceremony in June. If you are aiming for accreditation but cannot meet the criteria by the final intake, you will need to wait until next year’s awards ceremony to receive your plaque. To stay on track, be sure to register for our learning webinars, attend the conference, and submit your best projects for the awards. Each of these steps contributes to your accreditation and helps establish you as a leader in the industry.

We encourage you to make the most of the opportunities available. “Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu” (Adorn the bird with feathers so it may fly.) In other words, with the right preparation and support, success will follow. We look forward to seeing many of you in the coming weeks, whether in person or online. Let’s continue to strengthen and uplift our industry together!