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The New Zealand Sign and Display Association has put all the pieces in place for its big weekend of April 15-16 where it will host its annual conference, annual awards, biennial Sign NZ Expo, and the NZ Wrap competition. |
Brian Fairchild, secretary for NZSDA, says the awards give the industry an opportunity to celebrate the excellence that exists in the work Signmakers complete. He says, “Sign making in New Zealand is truly of a global standard – from the more traditional aspects of the industry such as brush lettering, gilding and airbrushing, through to the modern techniques that computerisation has brought to the craft.
“It is fair to say that we are blessed with some of the best, most creative, and most innovative craftsmen in the world.”
These awards mark the end of NZSDA president Nick Baty’s participation as a judge. Dean Johnstone and Paul Mendes join him on the panel. Baty says, “I am sure our new recruit Paul will add a fresh perspective to the judging panel. If anyone is interested in putting their name forward for a three year stint starting in 2017 please feel free to give Brian Fairchild a call to find out what is involved.”
Marketer joins the team
THE NZSDA has appointed Melissa Coutts to the position of marketing and administration assistant.
Brian Fairchild says, “We warmly welcome Melissa Coutts to our team. Melissa started with us in January 2016, and has come from a highly experienced background in marketing, co-ordination, customer service and administration.
“She was previously employed at PGG Wrightson and worked in its real estate business unit for approximately 15 years. Her roles ranged from administration and marketing co-ordination, advancing to a senior marketing role, where she helped organise events such as the agricultural national Field days, nationwide real estate conferences, PR and promotional activity supporting brand and strategy, co-ordination of all PGG Wrightson Real Estate property and news magazines, creative and implementation for nationwide online and print marketing, promotions and campaigns, development of marketing plans including social media planning.”
THE NZSDA will again host the biennial New Zealand Wrap Competition on April 15-16.
The event will take place at the same venue as the NZ Sign Expo: the Air Force Museum at Wigram. Nick Baty says, “In 2014, GAS Graphics from Auckland won the event and then beat the winning Australian team in a Trans-Tasman Wrap competition over there. Sadly, GAS can’t compete this year so we will have a new champion.”
Organisers have sweetened the competition’s prize package with help from industry suppliers, who have responded to the call for support, bringing the prize pool total to almost $40,000.
Total Supply has provided first prize: a Mimaki JV400-160LX 7 colour latex printer. For the second prize winner, Jenrite has a Polar 1610 cold roller mounter/laminator ready to go. Sign Supplies will provide the third prize winner with a $2,000 credit account. Fourth prize, a 1524mm wrap kit, comes via 3m. The NZSDA will provide a personalised Health and Safety pack for fifth place.
Brian Fairchild adds that SsangYong has offered a virtually unlimited number of Tivoli SUVs for wrapping. He says, “The vehicles will be wrapped in art created by award winning designer and signmaker Andy Lowe from Image Creators in Motueka.”
The competition pits teams of three going hard out against each other, with the aim of finishing the entire wrap first, and accruing the least number of penalty points for imperfections in the finished wrap. While each team must consist of three people, they needn’t come from the same company.
To top off the weekend, the winning New Zealand Team will face the Australian champions on Saturday April 16, at the same venue, to compete for the Trans-Tasman trophy.
