National Sign Franchise Event Hailed As A Success

News

As one of the most highly-anticipated events Signs Express Ltd has held in its 30-year history, the 2019 Convention at the Home of England Rugby, Twickenham Stadium, was hailed as a huge success.

Kicking off the conference was a memorable speech from Managing Director, Jonathan Bean, highlighting the achievements of the Signs Express network and Franchise Support Centre team, all contributing to the overall network performance growth in 2018. Mr Bean chose the theme ‘Stronger Together’, stating:

2018 has been a year of real progress underpinned by our network expansion and sales growth. Our continued success is built around network collaboration, the support we deliver to our franchisees and the relationships we all build with our suppliers and business partners. I absolutely believe that we are Stronger Together and I am certain that today will be a terrific demonstration of that.

Managing Director, Jonathan Bean

A total of 28 suppliers joined Signs Express attendees comprising a supplier exhibition which ran throughout the event, with HP and Metamark featured as partner sponsors. Metamark were also announced as Supplier of the Year 2018, voted for by the 65-strong Signs Express network. Informative hands-on demonstrations and seminars were held throughout the Convention by key suppliers to the network, including: a practical demonstration of architectural materials by The William Smith Group, LEDs from The Sign Group, wall coverings from Papergraphics and vehicle graphics application by Spandex. Seminars covered many key topics including a ‘digital signage’ workshop from Inurface Media and an ‘Innovation and Future Trends’ seminar by Make It Happen Signage Consultancy. The culmination of the day’s activities was the presentation of the Signs Express Sign Awards 2018, where trophies were awarded to:

Signs Express (Newcastle) for Most Striking Design
Signs Express (Falkirk) for Best Interior Sign
Signs Express (Birmingham SW) for Best Vehicle Graphics
Signs Express (Stoke) for Best Interior Sign and Best Sign Project

2018 Sign Awards Finalists and Winners

Ian Robertson

The event continued into the evening with a tour of Twickenham Stadium and an exquisite three-course meal, concluding with entertainment from rugby commentator of 47 years, Ian Robertson, to complement the iconic venue, and the presentation of the coveted Signs Express Franchise Awards. Jonathan Bean took the opportunity to make special recognition presentations of signed rugby memorabilia to Graham Casey of Signs Express (Glasgow), Joe Smith of Signs Express (Birmingham SW), Paul and Lynda Heywood of Signs Express (Harlow), Janiv Patel of Signs Express (Milton Keynes) and David Anthony of Signs Express (Warwick). There were three Franchise Awards presented on the evening including:

Ambassador of the Year - Thomas Somers, Director of Signs Express (Lancaster)
Newcomer of the Year - Ian and Priya Lawry, Directors of Signs Express (Oxford)

Craig Tiley, Director of Signs Express (Stoke) scored the hat trick, taking home the prestigious Signs Express Franchisee of the Year award for 2018 on top of the centre’s two Sign Awards. Jonathan Bean celebrated Tiley’s success, saying:

Craig has consistently gone above and beyond, always pushing himself and the business to adapt and grow with creative flair and an open-mind to trying new things. Each month in 2018 his centre surpassed prior year performance, increasing annual sales by 50 percent. With planned investment in the premises and territory expansion we are genuinely excited about where this business can go over the next few years and look forward to working with Signs Express (Stoke) to make it happen.

After the most exciting Signs Express Convention to date, Jonathan and his fellow directors look forward to seeing how the Stronger Together theme will motivate the Signs Express network to achieve their visions in 2019.