Day at the Races — The Tradition Races On!
Thirty CSA members and staff attended the races on Nov. 18 at Del Mar Racetrack, located in Del Mar, California. CSA’s sponsored Fourth Race, a picture in the winner’s circle for two, and a fabulous buffet lunch, all were included in the CSA Event Package. Two from our group (CSA President; Pete Michelini, Sign Designs, and CSA Past President; Ken Person, YESCO) watched the race from the “winners circle”, then had their photo taken. Continue Reading
Our Lunch Meetings are Back!
CSA Seminars, Lunches, and Dinner Meetings are Back!
After 2½ years of scheduling, cancellations, and rescheduling, (Covid-19), CSA returned to Lodi, CA on October 26th, for a luncheon meeting at Wine & Roses. Members and guests began to arrive at 11 am – Seventeen people were in attendance for lunch and seminar that included, California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) updates, discussion on a Skilled & Trained Workforce (STW), and the latest information from CSA’s Sign Training & Education Program Series – STEPS. Continue Reading
LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Win-Win!
The pandemic notwithstanding, California legislators were busy this past summer proposing all sorts of legislation. Governor Gavin Newsom wrapped up the 2022 legislative session in October, signing 997 bills into law. He also vetoed 169 bills — two of which CSA opposed.
CSA traditionally tracks legislation that potentially affects signs and signage rights. This year, we lobbied against two bills in particular that raised concern: “The Arena Bill” and “The Lights Out Bill.”
Continue Reading
SoCal Horse Race Event in Del Mar 2022!
LET’S GO!
Join us as Thoroughbred athletes and world class jockeys take to the track for the most exciting 2 minutes in sports! Del Mar Race Tracks, Where CSA Comes to Play! Join sign industry professionals, both members and non-members, for an event to highlight camaraderie and networking! Marvel as the Thoroughbreds dance on “toes” as they are led from the paddock to the track. Watch as the trainers saddle and prepare for the race. Listen as the bugler sounds the call to post. Before you know it, the caller is heard from every corner of the park “racing” and the horses are off dashing for the finish line.
The horses thunder down the stretch towards the finish line – CSA Members can’t help but stand up screaming encouragement. As the horses reach the wire, we erupt into victory hugs and high-fives all around. All part of the amazing fun!
Del Mar racetrack is an American Thoroughbred horse racing track at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in the seaside city of Del Mar, California, 20 mi north of San Diego. Meet us there! 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar, CA 92014
SCHEDULE:
No Host Cocktails: 11:00am-12:00 Noon
Lunch Buffet – Opens: 11:30am
Lunch-Network-Races: Until 4:00pm
Package Includes: Entrance, Program and Lunch
Spend the afternoon in the Ancient Title, a private, air-conditioned, skyroom overlooking the finish line. To help enjoy thoroughbred racing at its finest, our luxurious skyroom features a fantastic view of the races, private wagering windows, a balcony, cocktail bar, and a delicious catered buffet!
JOIN US! Registration is now open – Click Here to Register
BECOME A SPONSOR – Click for Informational PDF – visit our Shop to Register/ Sponsor!
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS:
WIN – $1,600 (16 people)
• Entrance to Turf Club for sixteen people
• Buffet Lunch
• Parking Pass
• Reserved Tables (assigned on a 1st come basis)
• Name and logo on all promotional and on-site material*
• Verbal acknowledgement at lunch/dinner events and Banquet
• Name and logo in Signage Matters thank you ad
• Name and logo on CSA Website thank you ad
• Top level placement on event banners/signs
PLACE – $1,300 (12 people)
• Entrance to Turf Club for twelve people
• Buffet Lunch
• Parking Pass
• Reserved Tables (assigned on a 1st come basis)
• Name and logo on all promotional and on-site material*
• Verbal acknowledgement at lunch/dinner events and Banquet
• Name and logo in Signage Matters thank you ad
• Name and logo on CSA Website thank you ad
• Second level placement on event banners/signs
SHOW – $1,000 (8 people)
• Entrance to Turf Club for eight people
• Buffet Lunch
• Parking Pass
• Reserved Tables (assigned on a 1st come basis)
• Name and logo on all promotional and on-site material*
• Verbal acknowledgement at lunch/dinner events and Banquet
• Name and logo in Signage Matters thank you ad
• Name and logo on CSA Website thank you ad
• Third level placement on event banners/signs
FOURTH – $500 (4 people)
• Entrance to Turf Club for four people
• Buffet Lunch
• Parking Pass
• Reserved Tables (assigned on a 1st come basis)
• Name and logo on all promotional and on-site material*
• Verbal acknowledgement at lunch/dinner events and Banquet
• Name and logo in Signage Matters thank you ad
• Name and logo on CSA Website thank you ad
• Fourth level placement on event banners/signs
“Great vibe, good races. The amenities are fantastic.” 
“Really nice race track with really good food and really good beer. .”
NorCal Presentation & Lunch October 2022
It’s Time to Take on the Challenge of Obtaining and Retaining
Qualified Employees!
NETWORK & EDUCATION:
This eye-opening workshop will shed light on the terms Skill & Up-Skill,
Sign Training & Education Program Series “STEPS”, and Skilled & Trained Workforce “STW”, and give insight to the sign industry workplace training and education available, outlining factors that can improve your hiring and help to reduce personnel turnover.
What this means for your business
- Workplace Training Outline
- Preparing for the future
WINE & ROSES: Time for Good Food & Network!
Wine & Roses is set in the heart of Lodi Wine Country, in a breathtaking environment of natural beauty. Be prepared to enjoy a delicious lunch along with the camaraderie of other sign industry leaders!
Join us October 26th, for an afternoon at its best!
Event Sponsored By:
CSA Director, Matt Fregosi – Altec
CSA Director, Ed Gibson – Elliott Equipment Company
Registration Form or Register Online Here, Securely!
Wine & Roses
2505 West Turner Road
Lodi, CA 95242
SIGNTECH EMBRACES CAREER AWARENESS!
Pathways to a Career in the Sign Industry
Sign Manufacturing Day, part of the national Manufacturing Day experience, takes place on the first Friday in October. The National MFG Day started in 2012, and later, sign industry events were sponsored by the International Sign Association (ISA), with most events hosted on Friday, October 7th. Sign Manufacturing Day came a little early this year for one company! On October 3rd, CSA member company Signtech Inc. provided a tour of their facility in San Diego for upwards of 90 students from Lincoln High School. The company has been participating in Sign Manufacturing Day since 2015. Continue Reading
2022-23 Board of Directors & Officers Elected
Newly Elected August 25, 2022
The California Sign Association Board of Directors for 2022-23, were installed on August 25, 2022 at CSA’s Annual Banquet. Immediate Past President Ken Person was thanked for his leadership and membership growth over the past year, as Pete Michelini, with Sign Designs, was welcomed to the President’s role for the California Sign Association Board of Directors! President Michelini has already chaired his first board meeting, and is setting us on a course for success! Congratulations, Pete! Continue Reading
Convention Was Refreshing & Dynamic!
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO JOINED US FOR THIS YEAR’S WSSC Sign Show / CSA Annual Convention!
Thank you, CSA Southern California, for hosting the 2022 WSSC Sign Show / CSA Annual Convention! It was refreshing to be together again in Orange County, starting with a Golf Tournament in Anaheim Hills, followed by dynamic speakers and a Vendor Showcase at the Hyatt Regency in Garden Grove, with a busy schedule of events Wednesday, AUG 24 through Friday, AUG 26. We hope that this year’s event brought you inspiration, resources, and new connections.
Wednesday, AUG 24, the CSA 2022 Golf Tournament kicked off this year’s annual gathering! Weather was beautiful and golfers were ready. Registration began at 7am and just prior to the shotgun start, many of the golfers participated in a Golf Ball Drop with a bucket full of numbered golf balls dropped from the basket of a basket from an Altec crane, over the green. Three balls assigned to Ball Drop participants, that landed closest to the designated hole, were awarded cash prizes of $250, $150, and $100. Golfers headed to their assigned golf carts, off they went, and golf swings started! Continue Reading
15? 20? How BIG was that FISH?
Gary Quiel has been a long-time “captain” of our annual CSA fishing trips, and handed the baton to Neil Tibbs a few years ago. Well, this year, due to a family emergency, Neil handed the reins back to Gary, who gladly took the wheel. Yes, we mixed a whole bunch of metaphors, but this is a fish story, so it’s okay!
Gary tells us,
“I was fortunate enough to fill in our charter master Neil Tibbs for this trip. As before no trips are ever the same this trip was no exception. Everyone arrived on-time we left the dock with thirty people on board. I was told at first by the captain that we were staying coastal however we found ourselves a bit south and about 25 miles offshore searching for kelp patties with Dorado swimming near them. As we were also trolling with four poles off the back we would stop at the patties and fly-line (no weight) with live bait for the Dorado. When we did this, we occasionally would see the boil and jumping of the Dorado on top off the water. When we fly-lined, the boat is not anchored and it drifts, therefore we would all need to be on one side off the boat letting the current take our bait straight out. Since we were not able to control where our bait is going to swim, there were some tangles (but not too bad!).
After several stops, we totaled with seven decent-sized Dorado on board. A few were lost in the fight– these fish don’t give up easy! On the way in, we were entertained by a whale sighting and several large pods of dolphins jumping high out of the water.
The winner (from those that entered the jackpot) was Rick Dureault with Encore Image Inc. I understand this trip was a retirement present to Rick from Encore. On another note, this is Encore’s third year in a row winning the Jackpot. I think we have a challenge for next year.
We arrived back at the dock about 7 PM. Hats off to the captain and deckhands, they were awesome as usual and it appears everyone had a great time and we didn’t run out of beer. Thank You all for supporting CSA and hope we can do it again next year!!
Insurance Commissioner Adopts Workers Comp Benchmark Rate
News Release Date: July, 2022
Insurance Commissioner Lara issues workers’ compensation benchmark rate
SACRAMENTO, Calif.— Recognizing that businesses are working hard to return to a nearly pre-pandemic market but still facing economic uncertainty and continued COVID-19 disruptions, the Commissioner’s action maintains the benchmark rate at $1.45 per $100 of payroll for workers’ compensation insurance unchanged from last year and within the reasonable actuarial range proposed by other experts, effective September 1, 2022. Action supports California’s recovering economy while acknowledging challenges still facing businesses. Continue Reading