The inaugural ASGA & SGIAA Awards for Excellence 2018 are now open for entries, with a closing date of Friday July 27.
The awards will be presented during the Gala Industry Dinner to be held on Thursday September 13 in the Members Room, ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park.
Michael Punch, general manager, Australian Sign and Graphics Association, says, “The awards encourage, promotes, and rewards skills and craftsmanship in all aspects of sign making, and affirms excellence in production.
“We started the awards in 2006, I’ve run it every second year since then. The categories have grown in numbers, and entries, with the full-vehicle wrap being one of our most popular. We have had to seperate partial wraps from full wraps to cope with the demand.
“Over time there have been less entries in screen printing, to the point where we have removed the category as it fades in the industry.
“Another key area is fabricated signs, but there are also large pylon and sky signs, which we have split over the years.
“There is a massive increase in illuminated signage entries in LEDs, with less using neon. Four years ago we added digital media, as more signage shifted to digital.
“There has always been a strong input in the directional and wayfinding signage, as clients have always required it.
“There was strong stress two years back to include a sign installation category, which we have done. While great signage was being made, people pointed out one of the big challenges was getting quality installations.
“We have also added total-shop fit out, as more companies are asked to do that, instead of just the front, or side of businesses.
“We are very strong about getting our up and coming signmakers, those in training or completing apprenticeships, so there is a category for the Young Stars, so any outstanding work done across the categories through a training centre.
“When they are all in on the closing date, July 29, we will list all our entries up, with a People’s Choice award, where people can look and vote for what they think is the best work overall.
“That will get more general interest in the industry, giving them a choice beyond the judges criteria.”
All entries must be of work completed in period July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2018, with a $30 fee per entry for the first three entries, with a $10 fee for entries 4-10, and no charge for entries 11 and beyond.
“Entering the Awards Event brings its own positive spin as all entries are on show at the Sydney Visual Impact Tradeshow – thousands of potential clients view the entries, in itself a great marketing opportunity,” says a spokesperson from the event.
The event takes place during the Visual Impact Tradeshow held at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park from Wednesday 12th September to Friday 14th September 2018.
For those interested, tickets are available at www.visualconnections.org.au/asga-gala-dinner-2018
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