THANK YOU to all who joined us for the 2026 WSSC Sign Show/CSA Annual Convention!
THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER GREAT YEAR!
On Wednesday, August 12, the CSA 2026 Golf Tournament kicked off this year’s annual gathering! Plenty of networking, food and drinks, education, great camaraderie and most importantly fun!
Weather was beautiful and golfers were ready. Registration began at 7 a.m. 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 an Altec truck over the green. The first Golf Ball that dropped into the designated hole was awarded a cash prize of $1,000.
Following the Golf Tournament, the last meeting of the 2025-26 CSA Board of Directors took place that afternoon at Sycuan Casino Resort in El Cajon, CA. On Wednesday evening, convention attendees headed over to the ballroom for an indoor cornhole tournament, for the CSA Convention Welcome Reception. For those of you who have not yet had an opportunity to experience a CSA Convention Opening Party, it is something you don’t want to miss! A room full of great camaraderie, networking, food and drinks, and again most importantly FUN!
Thursday was action packed! Thursday, August 13, began with The US Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s comprehensive, intelligent course on AI. Not only was it a deep dive for 90-minutes, it included a workbook allowing you to create your own action plan! Whether it is strategic business processes, customer service, sales & marketing, or hiring or finance and accounting – you can choose your pain point and find a way to make it better with AI! It could be the business partner you always imagined but never had, or your secret weapon for business growth! This session was well received, with a definite WOW from those in attendance!
The next order of business was our annual membership meeting where President Mike Avery brought members up-to-date information on where CSA is and where it’s going. The election of the board of directors for the year 2026-27 was conducted, along with the election of next year’s officers: Immediate Past President Mike Avery (Glantz), President Neal Tibbs (Ad Art), 1st Vice President Patrick Mulholland (Current Lighting), 2nd Vice President Lisa Rojas (HUB International), and Secretary/Treasurer Bob Shimmin (CSA Director Emeritus).
The CSA 2026 General Membership Meeting moved quickly to a networking lunch. All in attendance enjoyed the fabulous food, with an opportunity to exchange how they are addressing business challenges, expand on a great day on the golf course, share excitement on last night’ opening party, discuss current events and family. We were pleased to have Kyle Hermann from Senator Brian Jones’ office, join us at lunch, and share a little of what is happening on a state level, affecting business in California.
Immediately following lunch, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Vendor Showcase opened with 31 exhibitors that were delighted to share their new products and services, and to spend time with existing as well as potentially new customers.
Thursday’s activities were concluded by the Annual Banquet where the 2026-27 CSA Officers and Directors were installed, the silent and live auction conducted, CSA awards for 2025-26 were announced, and the always exciting $10,000 Drawing was held.
Friday began with breakfast, followed by the first meeting for the 2026-27 CSA Board of Directors. Discussions of the newly-elected Board included commitment, budget, and focused goals for the year. The second Education Session and Lunch & Learn was then conducted – A 3M hands-on workshop, where new product was reviewed and attendees given an opportunity to go to work – But as you can see in the photo, work with no play is not the CSA way!
Finally, to conclude the multi-day itinerary,
Food for thought —
Friendships are built on shared experiences. Without active engagement and interaction with each other our bonds of camaraderie deteriorate. Associations dissolve as surely as neglected buildings do. After participating in events, celebrations and even small rituals, we remark how good it is to gather, and remember.