Inside Look: Sign Manufacturing Day 2017
Cabrillo and Lakewood High Schools Explore Sign Manufacturing
Sign Manufacturing Day brought together the experts at Superior Electric Advertising with the curious minds of high school students from Cabrillo and Lakewood High Schools. Two tours of 25 students each were crafted to give students a close up view of the complete sign operation. Hosted on October 5th, this was Superior Electrical Advertising’s first time participating in ISA’s (International Sign Association) annual Sign Manufacturing Day and the team at Superior really loved it. Following the first tour, four students asked for a job! Of course they had some really fun stuff on the production floor along with many brand names they recognized, giving them a true sense of the impact of this industry. Continue Reading
SoCal Membership Event in Del Mar 2017!
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
- No Host Cocktails: 11:00am-12:00 Noon
- Lunch-Network-Races: Noon – 4:00pm
Package Includes: Entrance, Program and Lunch
Sponsorship Packages Available! Click Here for PDF
Book Online OR Download PDF Here
“Great vibe, good races. The amenities are fantastic.” 
“Really nice race track with really good food and really good beer. .”
NorCal Seminar, Dinner and Presentation Oct 12, 2017
Education Seminar, Network & Dinner Meeting at Holiday Inn
Education Session: 3:30 – 5:30 PM:
Meet our guest speaker, Mike Sullaway PE, as he brings Standardized Engineering to life and outlines how it can be utilized through your departments: Design, Permits, Estimating, and Project Management!
Michael F. Sullaway, P.E., President and CEO of Sullaway Engineering, Inc. is a 1985 graduate of the prestigious Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California, San Diego, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Structural Engineering. He has over 30 years’ experience in the design of international bridge projects, nuclear containment structures, steel pedestrian bridges, post-tension concrete foundations, parking structures, commercial and residential buildings, remodels and retaining walls. In 2009, Sullaway co-founded Sullaway Engineering, Inc., a nationwide structural engineering firm and recognized leader in the sign and awning industries for providing structural analysis and stamped structural engineered drawings and calculations for projects throughout the United States and Canada. Sullaway holds professional engineering licenses in 48 states, including the District of Columbia, and has affiliate engineers licensed in Alaska, Hawaii and Canadian provinces.
No Host Cocktails: 5:45pm – 6:45pm
6:45 – 9:00 PM: Dinner and Presentation following the Seminar:
Sip on some-thing cold to drink, with an opportunity to network with fellow CSA Members. Then it’s time to experience some fabulous food and a presentation on Signs Americana by Heather David. Heather is the author of Motel California and is the Who’s Who historian of the sign industry in northern California! Be inspired by your Signage History!
Register online – see link above (includes option for PDF form)
CONNECT: A Conference to Remember
The first CSA Educational Conference of the new, six-year plan was phenomenal!
Hosted Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 23-25, at the Ontario Convention & Airport Hotel in Ontario, the emphasis was on education. From the first swing of the golf clubs, to the last enlightening seminar, the 2017 conference was memorable! Continue Reading
CSA FISHING TRIP 2017
EXCURSION IMMERSION
CSA’s 15th voyage found first mate Joann Quiel with a new captain on board! Stalwart Captain Gary Quiel was unable to hit the water on Aug. 12, so CSA board member Randy Crossno stepped up to the plate! Forty-five anglers booked the trip, and forty actually boarded the Clemente at 5 a.m. The following is commentary from Randy Crossno:
“We decided to take the long trip to Catalina, due to the questionable catch off the coast in the preceding two days, especially when the captain announced over the PA that “zero fish were caught yesterday.”
On our way out, like CSA’s previous years’ fishing excursions, we were once again escorted by the friendly dolphins– but it was a short visit when they realized Captain Gary Quiel was not on board. They sent their best to the Quiel Family and headed north.
Arriving off the Catalina Shore at 9:30 a.m., lines were dropped and our first catch that was immediately caught was a nice size yellowtail. We continued to fish until 1:30 p.m. bringing in yellowtail, bass, bonita, and barracuda, with the “Big Catch of the Day” by Jose Abundez, Team RNS!
We arrived back to the dock at 6 p.m. It was a great group and a beautiful day on the water!
A special shout-out goes to Richard Pando, RNS Channel Letters, Co-Captain for the day. Hope to see everyone next year!”
CONNECT: Connections + Education for Sign Trade Professionals
The first CSA Educational Conference of the new, six-year plan is scheduled to take place Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 23-25, at the Ontario Convention & Airport Hotel in Ontario.
Consistent with the goals of the CSA Board, the emphasis this year will be on education. With the finishing touches being put on the enhanced training (STEPS) program, the conference provides a good opportunity to kick off this ambitious program for the 2017-18 CSA year. Teeing off with golf, you will make new connections that boost your business. Then soak up knowledge, hang with movers and shakers at the dinner event, and leave with batteries charged! Participation in the 2017 conference is sure to be memorable! READ AND REGISTER HERE. Continue Reading
First CSA Certified Crane Operator Class
FROM CLASSROOM TO CRANE
CSA’s first training class to become a Certified Crane Operator took place July 20-22 at Quiel Brothers Electric Sign Company, located in San Bernardino, CA.
Gary Quiel, CSA Director Emeritus, along with his brothers Larry and Jerry, hosted this event for CSA. ALTEC provided the crane used during testing at no charge to the association – A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL!
David Shelley (Crane Care Operations), along with his son John, conducted the classroom training as well as the practical training and actual testing on the crane. This was conducted over a full day on Thursday and Friday, plus a Saturday morning; an NCCCO proctor conducted the written exam on Saturday afternoon.
All candidates in attendance stated they thought the training was very well done. Dave Saudargas with Quiel Brothers added, “The instructors were excellent – we couldn’t ask for more.”
“The instructors were excellent – we couldn’t ask for more.”
The candidates are anxiously awaiting their results from the 3-part practical and 2-part written tests– “a little nervous,” they indicated. David and John were extremely pleased with the efforts put forth by the attendees and worked very hard with them, individually and as a group, to assure they would be safe crane operators AND pass both exams.
It will take up to two weeks before the results of the exam will be published.
Future classes will be conducted at Superior Electrical Advertising, Pacific Neon, CNI Signmakers, Sign Designs, AD/S – Architectural Design & Signs, CNP Signs & Graphics, as well as an additional class at Quiel Brothers.
For further information on the CSA Certified Crane Operator Classes, look on the CSA Website or contact Cheryl Flahive, Dir. of Member Services: cflahive@calsign.org
In Memoriam: Raymond Quiel
It is with a very heavy heart that we share with you the passing of CSA Director Emeritus Ray Quiel, Quiel Brothers Electric Sign Company. Raymond V. Quiel passed away on July 6, 2017 in San Bernardino, CA. He was 90 years old. Ray was born in Des Moines, IA and traveled to San Bernardino with his mother and 5 brothers when he was 3 years old. He attended Lincoln Elementary, Sturges Middle, and San Bernardino Highschool, was a Navy veteran, founded and co-owned, with his brother Gordon, Quiel Brothers Electric Sign Co and Stardust Roller Rink. Quiel Brothers Signs began operating in 1961 with the erection of a 5,000 square foot facility. Ray Quiel started out with just one employee and one truck under the name Electric Sign Service. That beginning paved the way for a multi-generation family business that has left its very visible mark in thousands of places across the Inland region.
He also owned the Brass Key with his wife. He was heavily involved with the California Sign Association, National Sign Association, and World Sign Association. Ray was a longtime member of the CSA Board of Directors, having served as president in 1982; he was elevated to serve as a Director Emeritus in 1994.
Ray was involved in so many CSA activities it would be hard to enumerate all of them; the one activity he took the greatest pride in was being the person who managed the publication of the yearly CSA Directory for many, many years.
Another of his many achievements was the first McDonald’s signs at the original location on E street. Ray traveled to the four corners of the world and enjoyed vacationing with his wife, family and friends. Ray was a longtime member of the Elks and Arrowhead Country Club. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Margaret L. Quiel, brothers Lawrence, Marvin, Gordon and Norwald. He is survived by his brother Robert, sons Larry (Tammy), Jerry (Mary) and Gary (Joanne) of San Bernardino, grandchildren, Ashley, Michael, Kristina, Kimberly, Erik and 7 grandchildren.
Ray Quiel took this picture of the Mcdonald brothers in front of the first Mcdonalds. The photo was later donated to the Smithsonian.
A viewing will be held July 20, 2017 at 5-7:00 p.m. with a funeral service on Friday July 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. both at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel 1299 E. Highland Ave San Bernardino, CA 92404. A graveside service will follow at Montecito Memorial Park in Colton. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Ray’s honor to Inland Empire Lighthouse for the Blind, 359 E. Parkcenter Circle South San Bernardino, CA 92408. A form is available here: Inland Empire Lighthouse for the Blind
2017 CSA Golf Tournament
Get ready for the 2017 CSA Golf Tournament!
CSA is sponsoring a golf tournament Aug. 23, to be held in conjunction with the CSA Educational Conference & Annual Mtg. August 23-25, 2017.
Just minutes away from the Ontario Airport, Sierra Lakes is challenging but fair for all types of golfers. Sierra Lakes was created with players of all levels in mind, with five sets of tees so everyone can have fun!
We encourage you to use this great opportunity!
- To make your golfing customers feel a part of YOUR team!
- Reward your golfing employees with a day on the links giving them the chance to bring home the bacon for the company!
- Or Both – have a couple customers and a couple of employees representing your company!
IF YOU ARE A CSA MEMBER AND WANT TO BE A SPONSOR FOR THIS EVENT, DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE AND SIGN-UP FORM (PDF) – CHECK OUT ALL OF THE GREAT SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES!
To Register as an individual or with company staff, visit our shop here. or complete Page 4 of the Golf Tournament Brochure (PDF) above.
Here’s what we have in store:
Shotgun Format – Sierra Lakes was created with players of all levels in mind, with five sets of tees so everyone can have fun!
Added Competition – Just to add a bit more excitement, we are adding the “Corporate Challenge” —a tournament within the tournament. The only teams eligible to compete in the “Corporate Challenge” are those registering via the Birdie, Eagle, or Double Eagle sponsorship packages (see page 3).
Great Tee Prizes – Every participant will receive a nice tee prize package!
Golf Ball Drop – For golfers and non-golfers alike, here is a chance to be a winner! For $10, you can buy a uniquely numbered golf ball or for $20 you can buy three or for $50 you can buy ten. We’re going to put all of the balls we sell in a basket and take the basket high in the sky where we will dump ‘em out. If your ball ends up closest to the pin under the ball drop, you win one of the three prizes! We’re going to give 25% of what we take in for first place, 15% for second and 10% for third. We’re going to keep the other 50%—after all, it is a fundraiser!
On Course Competitions – Even if your team doesn’t come up a winner, you may still walk away with a prize or two. We will be holding the traditional on-course competitions including Closest to the Pin and Long Drive. We may throw in a couple others, but you have to participate to find out!
Location: Sierra Lakes Golf Club, 16600 Clubhouse Dr., Fontana, CA 92336
You’re going to love this tournament and you’re going to love this golf course!
See you in southern California!
Introducing: A Seasoned Industry Coach
The Robert Armerding Company Story
Robert Armerding
1973: Pleasanton CA, with a brush and can of One Shot, I began a wonderful journey. Indeed, a sign that I built back then is still in downtown on the Chad Henderson Bandstand in the Lions Wayside Park. Besides having my own sign business, I have worked for a local sign shop and a national sign company. More recently, for 17 years I worked in San Jose, CA for Product Sign Supplies. When my friend Davey Glantz (N. Glantz & Sons) bought the company, I helped him with the transition and thus began a new service I am proud to introduce here.
Over the years, I have attended California Sign Association functions as an employee of a member company. Now, having started my own Robert Armerding Company, I have joined CSA and my new focus is on the management side of your sign business. In the broad sense, I am a consultant / coach for the sign business.
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