Association Update - November 2025
And just like that we have one month left to square things away before the holiday madness takes over. I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling the silly season started early this year and the pressure is already on to get as much done in the next month as possible to ensure a roaring start to 2026.
Our key focus right now is preparations and planning for the 2026 Sign & Print Expo. It has been three years since the last expo, and we are excited to see this event return. The technological innovations and advancements over the last three years have been huge and I know our suppliers have a lot to share with the industry. I have had the pleasure of hearing from various suppliers at the NZSDA regional meetings throughout the year and have seen some of the newest products they are introducing firsthand. I know this show will be one for the ages and well worth attending.
In addition to the exhibitions, we are planning a robust agenda of speaker sessions, workshops and social events to run throughout the expo. Every day there will be new and valuable learning and connecting opportunities and it is well worth booking yourself in for the full three days at expo. As always, we guarantee plenty of fun and games, and opportunities for the industry to reconnect.
I don’t want to give away too much too early, but this expo will feature a brand-new industry competition, pitting up-and-coming young signees against each other in a series of timed, hands-on challenges across the key pillars of signwriting, until one talented individual is crowned the Young Signee of the Year. More will be released about this in the new year!
We’re delighted to welcome a new Master Sign Maker to the ranks as Clarkson Signs have officially completed the pathway and achieved the accreditation. Nick and Maria Clarkson are exemplary sign makers who produce quality work, we are delighted to see them achiveve this recognition. If you haven’t yet read the interview article from the Clarkson’s on their accreditation, I encourage you to do so. They have a way with words that really communicates the importance of putting yourself out there and acknowledging when you’ve done a great job! (Read the article).
Applications are now open for the 2026 Apprentice of the Year Award. I know there are so many talented young tradesmen out there, and I always look forward to seeing the entries from our aspiring Apprentices. If you are in your final year, or have recently completed your apprenticeship, I encourage you to put yourself forward. Applications will remain open till 1 May 2026, so there is plenty of time to work on your application and put your best work forward.
We have also open nominations for the notable awards, including the Innovative Champion Award which has received a fresh approach for 2026. We understand that sustainable and innovative practices are not easily applied across all sign business practices. Due to this we have updated this award to represent one key project or initiative by a sign shop that demonstrates outstanding creativity, innovation, and environmental awareness. Whether it was the design approach, a new process, material or installation.
Finally, we have now completed our full webinar calendar for the year, having run ten webinars in 2025! Thank you to Minitech, ACC, Competenz, Computaleta, KirbyCo, 3M, Impactex and more for the time you donated to share your knowledge with our members. Our next webinar will run early in the new year and will feature a panel of awards judges who will share never before seen insight into the Awards of Excellence judging process, giving you information to help you are you work through your awards entries for the 2026 Sign Display Awards of Excellence.
Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa
Let us keep close together, not far apart.Ngā mihi,
Mikayla Hopkins