2017 CSA Board Meeting at ISA Expo
FRIDAY – April 21, 2017
Third CSA Board Meeting
(at ISA 2017 EXPO)
CSA BOD Mtg: Time: TBD
The April Board Meeting will take place at the ISA Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada
SoCal Seminar and Dinner Meeting 3/21/17
Date & Location: Tuesday, March 8th at Green Dragon Tavern & Museum
– 6115 Paseo del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92011
First up: A Seminar you don’t want to miss!
Solar: Sign Industry Application & Value!
Presented by Ben Widmer, Applications Engineer with SimpliPhi Power, Inc.
Seminar: 3:30pm -5:30pm
Meet our speaker, Ben Widmer, Applications Engineer with SimpliPhi Power, Inc.
In late 2009, Ben joined the design and applications team with LibertyPak, now SimpliPhi Power. Since that time, Ben and his team built upon the previous 8 years of success and innovation in the professional Film and Lighting industry, to create the technology platform for SimpliPhi’s portfolio of products it offers. And when it comes to “Solar,” Ben is the “Go to Guy”!
BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF SOLAR ENERGY
- Insight into Commercial Application of Solar
- Tying into the Grid vs. Self Contained Product
- Developing Whole Foods solar sign system
Followed by No Host Cocktails 5:30 – 6:30pm
Then, stay for Dinner, Networking and learn about our country’s history!: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Join the Revolution at the Green Dragon!
We talk about Constitutional Rights, day in and day out, when it comes to our personal and (sign) business lives – Freedom of Speech.
No better place to Network with the Sign Industry movers and shakers than the Green Dragon Tavern & Museum as America is brought to life!
A replica of North End Boston’s historic Green Dragon Tavern, attendees will learn about the Colonial and Revolutionary War eras. Sip on some-thing cold to drink, then it’s time to experience some fabulous food!
2017 CSA Board Meeting & Dinner Jan. 19th
THURSDAY – Jan. 19, 2017
CA STATE RAILROAD MUSEUM
111 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
CSA BOD Mtg: 10:30am – 3:30pm
The January Board Meeting will take place at the CA State Railroad Museum-Stanford Gallery; located at 125 I Street, Sacramento, CA. The meeting will run from 10:30am until 3:30pm, including lunch. Following the Board Meeting, we hope all of you will join in on the California State RR Museum Tour!
Tour-CA State RR Museum: 3:45pm – 5:00pm
Take a journey into the past at the California State Railroad Museum! Experience the feats of engineering and ingenuity that have kept the Golden State steaming along for nearly 200 years – from immaculately restored engines and cars to exciting events and exhibits that bring the railroad to life. The California State Railroad Museum is a museum in the state park system of California, interpreting the role of the “iron horse” in connecting California to the rest of the nation. It is located in Old Sacramento and regarded as North America’s railroad museum – Home of the Polar Express and 225,000 square feet of exhibits and beautifully restored railroad cars and locomotives which illustrate railroad history in California and the West.
Cocktails & Network: 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Dinner & Presentation: 6:00pm – 8:30pm
ConnectEd & Linked Learning
Presentation by Rob Atterbury, Director District & Regional Support
California Center for College and Career (ConnectEd)
Rob is looking forward to sharing how “Linked Learning” has expanded throughout the state of California, linking our Education System to College AND Career Pathways. The skills students are learning, are skills CSA members have been asking for! Keep up with the latest in career education – prepare for your new hires!
2017 So Cal Dinner Meeting Jan. 10th
TUESDAY – Jan. 10, 2017
RADISSON HOTEL
2200 East Holt Blvd., Ontario, CA 91761
TWO great events!
Seminar: 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Don’t miss this one!
In the Workplace-At the Job Site- And In Between: SAFETY Practices for the Sign Industry
Presented By: Greg Bird, Boretti Inc.
Greg Bird oversees the technical operations of Boretti, Inc. ensuring staff personnel are up to date with new practices, regulations and standards. He also works with clients to solve intricate safety and environmental issues and provide a safe working environment for their client’s employees. Topics to be covered include: * New Silica Regulation * Working in the Heat & Laws that apply
* Vehicle, Truck, and Trailer Safety * Emergency Plan
Stay for dinner and great presentation!
Dinner & Presentation: 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Elaine Norland, CEO and President of A Cone Zone, Inc., is the only female owner of a temporary traffic control company in the Inland Empire. With more than 30 years of construction experience + 15 years in traffic control, Elaine is making her mark in a male-dominated industry, providing traffic control equip. services for construction sites, road closures and events. In 2003, Elaine started A Cone Zone on a shoestring budget as a one-woman operation. Today, she has more than 20 employees and million-dollar revenues.
Recognized for her business savvy and acumen, Elaine was honored as a Spirit of the Entrepreneur Award finalist in 2011.
She was also awarded NAWBO California Woman Business Owner of the Year, 2016
Education, Part 2 “Pathways”
The California Sign Association has made a strong commitment to meeting the education needs of its members, and of California’s sign industry at large. Last month’s article reviewed the well-attended CSA Conference workshop on hiring and keeping Millennials. This Part 2 article covers the focus of CSA’s recent visits to some PUSD high schools, and their efforts to prepare students for successful careers. As CSA’s President for the 2016-2017 year, Pete Michelini, explains, “… CSA is placing emphasis on education and creating a qualified workforce for the industry; a definite need as expressed by the sign industry in general.”
The California Sign Association continues to address its commitment to meeting the education needs of its members, exploring new and exciting ways of developing our workforce. As the question continues to be asked “where can we find employees and how do we train them,” new avenues are opened – Okay, let’s call them “Pathways.”
On December 1st, Pete Michelini, CSA President; Roy Flahive, CSA Executive Director; and Cheryl Flahive, CSA Director of Member Services, attended a training program at the Porterville Union High School District. To say each of them was impressed is an understatement — they were simply overjoyed at the wonderful work being done with the students – they not only are being prepared for higher education and careers, they are learning the necessary skills for successful futures!
“PUSD Pathways Linked Learning” is part of an effort statewide to address the needs of students as they prepare for successful careers.
The referenced training program “PUSD Pathways Linked Learning,” is part of an effort statewide to address the needs of students as they prepare for successful careers. Their “Pathways” program offers small learning communities, college preparation, career-theme focus, academic rigor blended with technical relevance, project-based/hands-on learning, work-based learning opportunities, and actual projects utilizing CNC routers, laser cutting machines, 3d-printers, computers, etc.
Not only are these students being taught skills used in the sign industry, they are also learning so much more that our members have been looking for: Social skills, professionalism, thinking outside the box, working as a team, focusing on specific projects and aligning with other students within their chosen Pathway.
CSA is anxious to tap in to this education program throughout the state; in particular, internship opportunities and exposure to the terrific careers available in the Sign Industry!
2016 Day at the Races – Bing Crosby Season
Fifty-three CSA members and staff attended the races on November 17 at Del Mar Racetrack, located in Del Mar, California. Entrance fee, a program, the CSA-sponsored Six Race, a picture in the winner’s circle for two, and a fabulous buffet lunch all were included in the CSA Event Package. With the help of our 5-Sponsors; two $1,000 sponsors (Federal Heath and N Glantz & Son) and three $500 sponsors (RNS Channel Letters, Sullaway Engineering, and Swain Sign), this CSA SoCal event was a huge success – THANK YOU!
We couldn’t have asked for a better day: The weather was perfect, the track was fast, and the beverages and conversation started flowing at 11 a.m. Lunch was served at 11:30 am, first post was 12:30 p.m., betting was active and cheering for favorite horses was lively and loud, eventfully leading to “I need to collect my winnings!” — or “if it weren’t for …”
CSA officers and staff asked if attendees thought this was a good idea and one worth repeating. “Yes” was the emphatic answer, “Let’s do it again next year!”
SoCal Membership Event in Del Mar!
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. .”
Education Takes Center Stage, Part 1
The California Sign Association has made a new commitment to meeting the education needs of its members, and of California’s sign industry at large. While it is true that every one of the seminars and dinner meetings throughout the year features a well-vetted and relevant topic, now we will see a strong focus on seminars at annual conventions. Topics featured at the Association’s dinner meetings this year alone include: LA Chamber of Commerce; Speaking Geek: Websites Decoded; Increase & Secure Your Bottom Line; Right Brain Rules!; Transitioning: Leap and Land on Your Feet; Cyber Security; Cash Management, and many other high-impact seminars.
CSA’s President for the 2016-2017 year is Pete Michelini, who explains, “During this year, CSA will remain diligent in addressing local and statewide Government Affairs and concerns affecting business and the sign industry. We will continue to work with cities and counties throughout California to develop equitable sign codes…. In addition, CSA is placing emphasis on education and creating a qualified workforce for the industry; a definite need as expressed by the sign industry in general. Member enthusiasm for this new path was heard August 25th at the CSA Annual Conference, with the Education Session room packed with CSA Conference attendees.”
Member enthusiasm for this new path was heard August 25th at the CSA Annual Conference, with the Education Session room packed with CSA Conference attendees.
Michelini is referring to a keynote presentation by Teresa M. Young, President/CEO of Sign Biz, Inc., and Lori Anderson, President/CEO of the International Sign Association. In today’s article, we look at the first hour of this two-hour seminar, titled “Hack the Hire and Reap Retention.” The presentation took place on Thursday, August 25, 2016 from 8:00- 10:00 am. Despite the early hour, the room was packed, and a few folks had to stand at the back of the room.
New Tools and Resources to Find and Keep Good People
Teresa M. Young kicked off this big keynote with a look at new research that explains how social media prowess, ongoing education, and Millennials can build a better business and a stronger hiring process.
This seminar shed light on social media, workplace training and culture, and education factors that can drastically reduce staff turnover, and consequently, improve a business's bottom line.
With the Millennial population on the rise, and the need for qualified staff that stays, it is imperative to use today’s newest resources. Check out the compelling evidence in the video highlight reel here!
Part 2 of this two-part series provides insight from Lori Anderson into new credentialing tests that can have a profound impact on staff quality and retention. The future of employment and retention offers modern, high-tech and high-touch opportunities for verification. Young and Anderson shared some high-impact, fresh new perspectives that certainly empowered human resources. Watch for it in two weeks!
“Our goal is to develop an industry training program for installers, fabricators, project managers and all other functions necessary to conduct successful operations. Through education, we look to raise the on-premise sign industry to new levels of professionalism, high quality product, and career advancement and growth for CSA Members.
I look forward to serving our CSA Family.”
Pete Michelini
President, 2016-17
Think Lean Seminar and Dinner, Livermore
Attend one or both events!
Join CSA members and prospective members at the THINK LEAN Seminar presented by guest speaker Melissa Searle, followed by a networking dinner meeting and discussion.
Seminar Time:
3:30 – 5:30 PM
ABOUT MELISSA SEARLE
Melissa earned multiple bachelor degrees from the University of California, Berkeley and Certifications in both Health Care Compliance (CHC) and Health Care Privacy Compliance (CHPC). Melissa is an active member of the Health Care Financial Management Association, receiving the 2014-2015 Committee Leadership Award from their Northern California Chapter.
Through Melissa’s progressive leadership roles, she has assisted numerous teams and developed leaders to embrace lean behaviors.
Stay for dinner, bocce ball, and networking! Enjoy the best time to Network!
Nestled against rolling hills and vineyards of the wine country on the Livermore/Pleasanton border, come discover Campo di Bocce, where some of Northern California’s best Italian food is served in a quaint Italian village setting designed around the centuries-old game of bocce ball!
Event Time:
6:00 – 8:30 PM
Dinner at Campo di Bocce
Big Winner Signtech!
2016 Convention’s Big Winners
While everyone who attends the CSA Conference each year is the beneficiary of connections, knowledge and fun, there was a big winner in the conference fundraiser. The California Sign Association was proud to present a check to Kevin Cline with Signtech Electrical Advertising this week, winner of the annual CSA $10,000 Fundraiser. Kevin is a long time supporter of the association and has been participating in this fundraiser for years – It was with great pleasure that CSA’s executive director Roy Flahive, was able to hand deliver the winnings. In the photo, from left to right; David Schauer (President, Signtech Electrical Advertising), his father Corky (CEO), Kevin Cline, Roy Flahive, and Patty Soria (Signtech Electrical Advertising VP of Production and new board member to CSA).
Congratulations and thank you Kevin!