ISA Association News
ISA visits SBA
ISA SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2009
ISA President and CEO Lori Anderson recently met with SBA Administrator Karen Gordon Mills to discuss the issue of increasing access to capital for small businesses. Several other small business trade association executives attended the meeting, where Anderson discussed with Administrator Mills the problems that ISA members are having in obtaining SBA loans to help their businesses. To learn more about this important meeting, visit here.
ISA business confidence survey shows some improvement in challenging economy
ISA SmartBrief | Nov 19, 2009
While the economy continues to be identified as the key challenge being faced by sign companies, more than 90% of companies that participated in ISA's latest Business Confidence Survey expect stable or increased employee levels by October 2010. This marks a slight increase from May 2009, when 87% of those companies expected stable employment numbers in the following twelve months. Additionally, 17% of companies reported increased employee levels in the last year, up from 12% in May. The most recent ISA Business Confidence Survey, sent in October 2009, has identified these numbers as important markers of the current state of the North American sign industry. Other key results from the October 2009 Survey are that 47% of sign companies anticipate 2009 capital expenditures at or above the 2008 levels and 38% of sign companies anticipate year-end 2009 revenues at or above 2008 levels. For additional information on the Business Confidence Survey, contact Kenny Peskin.
ISA member recognized for sign-shop safety
ISA SmartBrief | Nov 12, 2009
In the midst of recent record-setting fines and an increase in the number of safety-related workplace deaths, International Sign Association member Bee Seen Signs received recognition from the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations for their dedication to maintaining a safe work environment for employees. "In these tough economic times companies are cutting back on employees and relying on the remaining workforce to be more productive. A side effect of doing more with less is that employees sometimes shortcut safety measures resulting in an increase in workplace injuries and even death," says Department Director Larry Rebman. "We are fortunate there are employers like Bee Seen Signs that are dedicated to making workplace safety a priority." Read more here.
Two new governors
ISA SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2009
Two gubernatorial elections took place this past Tuesday, with Republican Bob McDonnell beating Democrat Creigh Deeds in Virginia and incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine, a Democrat, losing to challenger Chris Christie, a Republican, in New Jersey. These elections could have considerable impact on sign companies, the retail sector and small businesses in both states. Governor-elect McDonnell has a 91% Key Vote rating from the National Federation of Independent Business, while Governor-elect Christie is offering an "across the board" rate cut for all taxpayers, a reduction in the state's corporate business tax rate and elimination of the "double taxation" on New Jersey S-Corporations. For more information, please contact David Hickey at david.hickey@signs.org.
Take action now!
ISA SmartBrief | Nov 05, 2009
The latest version of the Democrats' health care reform bill was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, and it appears that the bill will be voted on as soon as this Friday. H.R. 3962, the "Affordable Health Care for America Act," will impose a new surtax on small and medium-sized manufacturers and is estimated to cost $1.2 trillion over the next decade. Visit ISA's Legislative Action Center to contact your members of Congress and let them know that you oppose this bill! For more information, please contact David Hickey at david.hickey@signs.org.
Phoenix Developing Regional Model Lighting Code
ISA SmartBrief | Oct 29, 2009
The Maricopa Association of Governments (regional planning entity encompassing metro Phoenix jurisdictions) is currently developing a model lighting code. While lighting ordinances are most concerned with ambient illumination levels and light trespass, the continued use of electric signs in the Phoenix area would be affected by such a code. Upon its completion, this model code may be recommended for adoption by 18 Phoenix-area communities. For more information, contact Patti King at info@arizonasign.org.
Take the ISA Business Confidence Survey
ISA SmartBrief | Oct 29, 2009
ISA-member sign companies have just a few more days to complete the ISA Business Confidence Survey. Please take 2 to 3 minutes and complete the quarterly ISA Business Confidence Survey. Please respond by Tuesday, Nov. 3. The survey results will be compiled in the aggregate. Your responses are confidential; no individual responses will be reported or known. Complete results will be shared only with survey respondents. Summarized results will be posted online. Take the ISA Business Confidence Survey.
Sign up for ISA SmartBrief
