FASTSIGNS® Hosts Annual Industry Convention

CARROLLTON, TX - FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers, invited franchisees and their staff to receive the latest education, view the multiple options and new technologies available to them, celebrate their accomplishments and formulate annual plans for the upcoming year at FASTSIGNS 2007 annual convention, “Reaching New Heights!” in Colorado Springs, Jan. 10-13. Over 550 attended the convention, representing 278 of the over 500 FASTSIGNS centers worldwide.

Nearly 50 education sessions were offered on the latest trends and innovations within the industry, all designed to assist franchise owners in keeping up with the competition and getting a leading edge on what’s ahead in the sign and graphics industry. Sessions were taught by members of the FASTSIGNS corporate staff as well as guest speakers including, Carl Forssen, Senior Vice-President, Business Resource Services; Fred Shlesinger, CFE, Heartland Institute of Financial Education; and sales management speaker and author, John Boyens. Topics included Keys to Efficiency; a Second Generation Franchisee Roundtable; Going Beyond Customer Service; Online Marketing Tools to Connect You to Sign Buyers; and Secrets of Success Selling Promotional Products.

The convention also featured a vendor trade show, with 123 exhibitors – the largest number of exhibitors in the show’s history. Service providers showed off the latest in digital printing technology along with a wide variety of sign and franchise based services available to the sign buying audience, allowing franchisees the opportunity to discuss production efficiencies with the experts.

Multiple awards were handed out during the course of the convention acknowledging the success of the FASTSIGNS centers, from one and two million dollar award recognitions, to managers of the year and outstanding sales achievements. The awards wrapped up with the announcements of the National Sales Award and FASTSIGNS Award. The 2008 convention will be held Jan. 8-12, once again in Colorado Springs.

Special thanks are extended to the vendors and sponsors who made a contribution to this year’s convention. Platinum sponsors, Fellers, Global Imaging, Inc., Hewlett Packard and Ketchum Directory Advertising. Gold sponsors, MacDermid ColorSpan and signsearch, Inc. Silver sponsors, Georgia Printco and Reece Supply. Other sponsors, ASI and Primeline.

About FASTSIGNS®
FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers use innovation and technology to make the sign buying process simple by offering consulting, design, production, file transfer, delivery, installation for a full range of custom sign and graphic products, including wide format banners and POP, site signs, exhibit graphics, window and vehicle graphics, decals and labels, safety and identification signage and floor graphics for interior and exterior use. For more information, visit franchise.fastsigns.com.