The Sign Industry’s biggest party ever

Over 400 guests attended the sixth Sign Industry Awards, held in the Eon Lounge at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, making it the biggest night event in the history of the awards.

The 2008 awards attracted over 220 entries, and the judges had an arduous task viewing and assessing over a thousand individual photographs and the accompanying written submissions.

Hosted by the former BBC Political Editor John Sergeant with the help of Val Hirst, Editor of Sign Directions Magazine, it was a night to remember for all concerned.

Raccoon Digital was the big winner on the night, walking away with the top award - the Sign of the Year - for their wrapping of 25 supercars for the Gumball Rally and the Vehicles Graphics award for a fleet of Tuk Tuk taxis.

“Vehicle wrapping is an increasingly important revenue stream for a huge number of signmakers and the award reflects the importance of this sector of signmaking,” said Ray Stewart, one of the Award organisers.

“The cars were stunning and the judging panel was unanimous in its decision to award the top prize to Raccoon.” It was a also a good year for the smaller signmakers with one-woman business GoGirl Signs taking home the Sign by a Small Signmaker award, and Signs Now, Birmingham sharing the Sign Business of the Year Award with Cumbria based AstSigns.

You can view all the winning entries on the awards website at www.signindustryawards.co.uk

“We would like to thank all the sponsors, the entrants and everybody who attended for helping to make the night such a great success. We’d also like to thank John Sergeant who brought a touch a class and humour to the whole event,” said Stewart.

“Finally, we’d like to thank the organisers of The Sign Show, who shared the venue at the Ricoh Arena, and brought a great many of their exhibitors to the Awards Dinner, helping make it the biggest night to date in the history of the UK sign industry.”

Plans are already being made for the 2009 Awards. If you would like more information about sponsoring or entering, watch for news on the awards website or contact James Hirst on 0115 963 7367.