2022: Year In Review
January 12, 2023
Dear MSSA Members,
Surely I cannot be the only person to wonder how this year has flown by so quickly? 2022 has been an exciting year for us!
With the end of my time as MSSA’s President coming to an end, I wanted to thank both Annie and Rachael for all of the work they have done this year. Both of these women have conquered every challenge thrown their way. I know that the transition committee made the right decisions with Annie and Rachael, and both professionally and personally, I am very proud of them.
The end of the year is my favorite time of the year. The weather gets cold and we are forced indoors, which I believe to be the best time for some self-reflection. As you start thinking about some of your new resolutions, think back to through the year. What surprised you? What were your fears? What was an unexpected challenge for you and do you feel that you handled it your best? What was something different that you tried and found value in?
This year, my difference was small but impactful. I have always been a vocal person, without much hesitation in speaking up. But partway through this year, I felt the urge to sit back and listen more to what others had to say. I already knew that we have very intelligent members, but I discovered that we have so many with good ideas and a lot of members that are leaders without even realizing it or attempting to cultivate it! I heard different viewpoints and opinions that I may have never heard had I tossed my own into the ring. Sometimes, self-reflection becomes the best method for achieving personal growth.
As we close the year, I have the utmost confidence in our Executive Committee, Board of Directors, our committees, our Executive Director and Membership and Marketing Director, and the future of MSSA. I am so very thankful for all of MSSA’s Past Presidents and the time they have given to MSSA. To all of our members, thank you for trusting me with our association.
May every one of you have a Merry Christmas and an even better 2023!
Sincerely,
Brandi Pulliam Blanton, MSSA 2022 President
We have had some great moments and memories made this year, but here are a few of my favorites:
Idea Exchange- Laurel, MS
- Spending an afternoon with the Elite Class and preparing them for their presentation to the Board.
- Visiting the Veteran’s Memorial Museum, meeting Mr. Charlie and seeing the joy beaming from Patrick and Madison’s faces when they got a ride in an old military jeep!
- Also, please know that I had absolutely no idea that the Elite’s were going to have confetti canons for the board meeting!
Sign Connexion- Chattanooga, TN
- Scholarship Auction – We raised $104,000 and at the same time, got to see some pretty amazing cheer stunts. All of this with a bad microphone and sound system that got Richard a little hot under the collar.
- A fun filled white water rafting trip, that on a personal note, has convinced my kids they would rather go rafting than go to the beach!
Engage- Knoxville, TN
- Meeting some new national sign companies and putting a few new faces to their names.
- Being a panelist representing local installers on improving relationships with national sign companies.
2022 MSSA HIGHLIGHTS
MSSA Board of Directors
2022 Officers
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President - Brandi Pulliam, Agnew Sign and Awning
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Vice President - Mel Davey, Hilton Displays
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Secretary/Treasurer - Jenny Gray, GSG
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Immediate Past President - Patrick Knotts, Faces
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2022 Board Members
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On-Premise Sign Co. Directors – Tommy Allen, Allen Industries
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On-Premise Sign Co. Directors – Madison Bowman, Cajun Sign Co.
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On-Premise Sign Co. Directors – Brad Pridmore, Mid-South Signs
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On-Premise Sign Co. Directors – Ross Dial, Mitchell Signs
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At-Large Director – Nick Wilson, Oxford Graphics
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Product Manufacturers Director – Cody Chambers, Keystone Technologies
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Supply Distributor Director – Sean Schultz, Reece Supply Company
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Past Presidents Director – Jason Cicalla, Watchfire Signs
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2022 Annual Sponsorship
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4 Platinum Sponsors
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11 Gold Sponsors
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Eastern Metal Supply
Graphic Solutions Group (GSG)
Reece Supply Company
Tubelite
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Altec
Daktronics
Farco
Optec Displays
Piedmont Plastics
Principal LED
Scotts Power Line
Sign Builders
Sign Pro Wholesale
Think Sign
Watchfire
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10 Silver Sponsors
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11 Bronze Sponsors
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A-1 Signs – Dickson,TN
Akzonobel
Elliot Equipment Company
Elrod
Gemini
Grimco
Letterfab
Matthews Paint
MK Insurance
World Wide Signs
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3M
Admiral Wholesale
Arkansas Sign and Neon
Canedy Sign & Graphics
Faces
France
Oxford Graphics
Palram Americas
Plaskolite
SignComp
Signs First Metro
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THANK YOU, MSSA ANNUAL SPONSORS!
MSSA 2022 Award Recipients
- Agnew Condray Award
- Karen Warr, Signs First Franchising, Past MSSA Executive Director
- Hall of Fame Recipient
- Karen Warr, Signs First Franchising, Past MSSA Executive Director
- 25 YEAR AWARD
- Cupples Sign Company, Paragould, AR
- Facecrafters, Little Rock, AR
- Munn Enterprises, Hattiesburg, MS
- Signs First of Madison County, Jackson, TN
- Complete Lighting & Sign Service, Memphis, TN
Idea Exchange – Headrick Signs and Graphics, Laurel, MS
- 41 Sign Company attendees participated in our first in person meeting since July 2021
- 72 Attendees total
- A highlight of the weekend was visiting the Veteran’s Memorial Museum and meeting Mr. Charlie, a World War II veteran
- Facility tour of Headrick Signs an Graphics
- Saturday Seminars and Demonstrations Included:
- “Tricks of the Trade”
- 1st Place Winner, Drew Ducker, Threebond International
- “Building Code Updates Uncovered” speaker, Kenny Peskin, International Sign Association
- “Gel Ink Printers” demonstrated by Headrick Signs and Graphics
ISA Sign Expo - Georgia International Convention Center, Atlanta, GA
- MSSA member and ISA Chair, Michael Hage, opened up the trade show with an official ribbon cutting on the first day of the Expo
MSSA SignConnexion – Chattanooga Convention Center, Chattanooga, TN
- 62 Exhibiting companies who presented their products and services
- 32 Volunteers attended the Veteran’s Volunteer Project at Chattanooga National Cemetary where they laid sod and weeded flower beds
- 53 Sign Company attendees who took the time from busy work schedules to attend
- 331 Attendees total
- 92 Players in the Elvis Davis Golf Classic
- Thank you, GSG, Reece Supply Company, Tubelite/Denco, and Principal LED for sponsoring and providing tents for all golfers to use
- Golf Calcutta raising $2,550 for the Steve Metheny Scholarship Foundation
- Friday Keynote Speaker
- “Strategic Plan? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Strategic Plan!” speaker, Vince DiCecco
- Saturday Seminars Included:
- “ Tricks of the Trade Best of the Best”
- “Taking the Intimidation out of Innovation” moderated by Mike Lev, Harbinger Signs; speaker Deacon Wardlow, Vantage LED
- 55 Members ended the week on a high, going white water rafting down the Ocoee River
MSSA Steve Metheny Scholarship Foundation
- 52 $1,500 scholarships were awarded to MSSA members and their dependents
- Goal to raise $86,000 for 2023 scholarships was achieved and EXCEEDED, raising over $100,000
- 100 $100 Raffle Tickets sold
- 100% of proceeds go towards the Steve Metheny Scholarship fund!
- $1,642,972 TOTAL scholarship funding given in scholarships to date – AMAZING!
MSSA Elite Program
- 2021-2022 completed their leadership training at Idea Exchange in Laurel, MS
- The Elite Class project was approved by the board, allowing for MSSA Locals Bash, a series of regional networking events, to begin in 2023
2021-2022 Class
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Hollie Harrison, Elrod Engineering
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Madison Bowman, Cajun Sign
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Ryan Wilkins, AAA Signs
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Dustin Snapka, GSG
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James Reason, Professional Sign Services
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MSSA Sign Design Contest
- Freestanding Large Sign (50 sq. ft) 1st place winner
- Jordan Tippett, Knight Sign Industries, Grand River Tech Park
- Freestanding Small Sign (0-50 sq. ft) 1st place winner
- Nestor Rasi, Ortwein Sign, Taft Highway Self Storage
- Wall Mounted/Channel Letters 1st place winner
- Roger Cole, Flynn Sign Co., Scarlett’s Collision Center
- Graphics 1st place winner
- Jordan Tiippett, Knight Sign Industries, AU Women’s Basketball
- Mark Pridmore “Excellence in Design” Award - overall award, voted by SignConnexion attendees
- Roger Cole, Flynn Sign Co., Scarlett’s Collision Center
National ENGAGE Networking Event
- 15 National Sign Companies and 29 Install Sign Companies participated in an all-day speed-dating event
- 18 Vendor companies who presented table top displays
- 133 Attendees Total
- The 2022-2023 Elite Class met in person for their first of two Leadership Training sessions
- Elvis Davis and Bill Uline were their guest speakers, regaling them with important MSSA history and fun memories
- During our Thursday Night dinner and bowling this event, a competition for the most strikes was set up by MSSA members
- We raised $415 for the scholarship foundation
- The pot was split between the winner, Michelle from Design Team, and the scholarship foundation
- Saturday Panels Included:
- “The Inside Track to A Winning Networking Strategy” moderated by Cody Chambers, Keystone Technologies; Panelists, Tommy Allen, Allen Industries; Eric Chessor, Cummings Signs; Starr Gil, Advance Sign Group
- “Building a Healthier Relationship with Nationals and Installers” moderated by Mike Lev, Harbinger Signs; Panelists, Jon Adinolfe, Alternative Signs and Graphics; Alicia Auerswald; Brandi Blanton, Agnew Sign and Awning; Mel Davey, Hilton Displays
Brown Bag Webinars
- Over 100 Attendees participated 6 webinars, presented by MSSA Annual Sponsors and staff, throughout the year
- Thank you, Elrod Engineering, GSG, and Scott Powerline & Utility Services for the time you committed in offering engaging and informative presentations
MSSA Membership
- 31 New members that MSSA welcomed this year!!!!
- Sign Companies, Product Manufacturers, National Sign Companies, Professional Services
- 162 Sign Companies - the most sign companies MSSA has had to-date
Get involved! Be a part of our 2023 success story!
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