By Libby Clifford & Rosie Lees, Make It Happen Signage Consultancy
If I am being honest, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect stepping off the plane in Orlando. Rosie and I had heard plenty about ISA Sign Expo from the team, but nothing quite prepared us for the moment we walked through those doors and realised just how vast the global signage world really is.
Both of us come from a UK signage background. We know our industry well, we’re proud of it, but experiencing ISA for the first time was truly amazing. The scale, the diversity, and the creative ambition on display blew our minds. The innovation, technology, and craftsmanship from all over. It made us appreciate not just how much our industry has to offer, but also how much there is still to learn and be inspired by.
Why Trade Associations Matter
Before we even boarded our flight, we’d had a masterclass in why events like ISA exist and why associations like the BSGA are so vital. Our founder Sam, has served as President of the BSGA, and her passion for collaboration and community runs through everything Make It Happen does. She’s long championed the idea that we are stronger together and that the signage industry grows when its people connect, share, challenge and support one another.
Being at ISA, surrounded by thousands of professionals from across the globe, that connection suddenly felt very tangible. Trade associations aren’t just membership organisations; they are the backbone of industries that might otherwise operate independently.
Our Stand, Our Story
Make It Happen had a presence at ISA, and we were determined to do it differently. Our booth was built entirely from Falcon Board (Xaneta here in the UK), is fully sustainable, and is entirely in keeping with our values. In a room of polished exhibition stands, ours stood out for its creativity and conscience, and people noticed!
Visitors were drawn to us for two reasons: the energy we brought and the story we were telling. There was something about our distinctly British perspective arriving into this enormous American show with our own point of view and a genuine enthusiasm for being there – that resonated with people. The American signage community welcomed us with open arms. They were curious, warm, generous with their time and genuinely excited to meet us. We were strangers in their world, and yet we never once felt like outsiders.
What We’re Taking Home
Rosie and I came back from Orlando full of enthusiasm and a whole new wealth of knowledge. That putting yourself in rooms or exhibition halls – where the conversations are bigger than your day-to-day is one of the most valuable things you can do for your professional growth.
ISA reminded us of something Sam has always believed: that the signage industry is not just a trade – it’s a community and communities flourish when their members invest in themselves. Whether that’s through the BSGA here at home or crossing the Atlantic to connect with our counterparts across the pond, the principle is the same.
If you’ve ever wondered what investing in yourself and your team can do whilst surrounded by like-minded people, join us and Make it Happen!
– Libby Clifford & Rosie Lees, Make It Happen Signage Consultancy & Academy