The latest BSGA Sign Surgery went live on LinkedIn with plenty of energy, marking only the second time the broadcast has run on the platform. And it was a lively one. The panel – Jack Gocher (host), David Allen (BSGA President), Craig Brown (BSGA Chair), Linda Edwards (BSGA Managing Director), and BSGA board director Shaun Holdom – were joined by Chris Davies, the man behind The Print Show and now The Sign Show.
And that’s what everyone tuned in for: to hear about the brand-new event built especially for the sign industry.
Why The Sign Show?
Chris Davies has been running exhibitions since 2005, and he was clear about why The Sign Show exists: “The fundamental reason was feedback from the industry. People told us they wanted a dedicated sign and print event.”
Chris pointed out that while The Print Show has grown since 2015, it was always more geared toward commercial print. Readers of SignLink magazine, he said, often didn’t feel it was for them. At the same time, the UK has been missing a proper, all-round sign event for years. As Chris put it: “There isn’t really now a go-to, standout sign event in the UK. Fifteen years ago, you had neon, LED, vinyl, A-boards, built-up letters – the lot. That hasn’t been the case for a long time.”
The Sign Show, running alongside The Print Show, is his answer.
Back to Hands-On
Craig Brown picked up on something many sign makers will agree with: that shows used to be more practical. “Pre-2000, they were very much hands on, nuts and bolts,” he said. But post-2005, they became more technical and less relevant for traditional sign makers. He’s pleased The Sign Show is aiming to put that right.
Chris was realistic: “It’s not an easy fix, it will take time to get the message across.” He called the first show a “pilot,” with big investment in feature areas and partnerships with the industry. For him, it’s about more than filling floor space: “An organiser’s responsibility is to put on features and speakers that the visitor can benefit from.”
Features You Can Try Yourself
And there’ll be plenty for visitors to roll up their sleeves and try:
- School of Wrap – vehicle and architectural wrapping, showing how to regenerate old into new.
- Neon Insights – a chance to literally bend some neon yourself.
- Traditional Sign Masterclass – gold leaf, sign writing, and proper old-school craft.
As Chris explained: “Visitors can arrive, see what spaces are free, and give it a go. Professionals will be there to help.”
Why It’s Worth Your Time
Colin Sinclair McDermott asked the question on a lot of small business owners’ minds: is it worth a day out of the workshop?
Chris didn’t duck it: “The most important valuable asset to people is their time. If you come to this event and don’t have a good experience, you won’t come back, and if no one comes back, the show’s dead in the water.”
That’s why, he said, they’re determined to make it more than just an exhibition hall: “You should walk away with knowledge and information you can’t get on the internet.”
Craig Brown agreed: “Treat the show as a business event. Plan your visit, engage with exhibitors, and you’ll discover materials and ideas you wouldn’t have looked at before. You can’t get that in a two-hour dash.”
One Show to Rule Them All?
Shaun Holdom raised a big one: why not one single UK show instead of several smaller ones? Chris’ answer was simple: “If you want one event, then back my event and then there will only be one.”
He made the case that with The Print Show already attracting manufacturers back year after year, adding The Sign Show alongside it makes sense. In fact, many are already calling it the “Print and Sign Show.” His message was clear: the future lies in one strong, all-encompassing event – and he’s betting The Sign Show will become it.
For sign makers, the takeaway is simple. The Sign Show is designed to be practical, hands-on, and genuinely useful – the kind of event where you come away with new skills, new contacts, and new ideas to take back to your workshop. As Chris put it: “Our job is to create an exhibition where people feel empowered and actually have a good time whilst they’re there.”