May 6-7, 2022 (Atlanta, GA)– Sign Biz convention attendees gathered in May to exchange best practices and learn of latest innovations for sign industry professionals. Full Story Here. Served up was not only the largest slate of Milestone Inductees ever honored at the Reunion, but three special events took place during the Gala on Saturday, May7th at Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta.

Three Heartwarming Highlights

A Tribute Well-Deserved! We honored Bill & Fran Potts, retired owners of Sign Depot (Right), former Advisory Board Members, and extraordinary Live Store Trainers for decades. A canvas print signed by every Member in attendance was presented to Bill and Fran, with a touching, and humorous tribute delivered by Young.

“We want to acknowledge Bill and Fran at this year’s Reunion, to thank them for YEARS and YEARS of great support of Members, as Live Store trainers, as Advisory Board members, and as friends to all. It’s been so long, but I remember you could just dial them up on your rotary phone, and they would always be there for you. This is loooong overdue!”

The stretched canvas print featured an old rotary phone. Bill shed tears, as did many in the gathering. “We have something for you two – a token of our love and appreciation. A memento so you know your time, energy and spirit of giving are truly, deeply felt by all. Thank you both!!”

Message from Bahamas! Also retired, Peter and Kate Bates delivered a thank you greeting by video. Their shop, The Signman, opened 32 years ago. A three-million-dollar Milestone Club Member, Peter retired in 2018… but still has his hands on the business, as Kate pointed out!. Some of the staff are now owners, and Peter is on the board of directors. Once a sign man, always a sign man!

A Special Original Song! A third special highlight was the original song composed and recorded by DJ Lance LeVor. Young introduced Lance LeVor and explained how she found his music with a little bit of web research. When asked, Lance was pleased that she wanted to play his song as food was being served. It was a hit, with resounding applause.

INSPIRING ACHIEVEMENTS

The Gala brings together friends, new and old, and provides the ideal platform for the annual awards ceremony. This year was exceptional, recognizing not only the 38th Sign Biz Member shop to achieve $1 Million in annual sales, but also a host of other remarkable achievements and awards. Here is the line-up of Sales Consultant and Milestone Awards, for those achieving new heights in revenue for the first time:

Member Honors

We honored five for sales exceeding $100K in a single month, new inductees to the Century Club: Michael Martini, ImageLife Signs & Graphics; Cory McKnight, The Sign Center; Jay & Claudia Nolan, Kentucky Sign Center; Dan & Laurie Peach, Precision Signs; and Doug & Carla Pierce, Innovative Signs & Graphics. We also honored Pat & Stefanie Dacy, 3V Signs, for a TRIPLE-CENTURY CLUB – exceeding $300K in a single month! Congratulations to all!

Half-Million-Dollar Milestone Club

To the delight and applause of everyone present, the following were inducted into the Half-Million-Dollar Milestone Club this year:

$500K Milestone: Michael Martini, ImageLife, Nashville, TN

$500K Milestone: Jay & Claudia Nolan, Kentucky Sign Center, London, KY

The $750K Club

Another big milestone is recognized as the $750K Club, and we honor those who achieved annual sales of $750,000 for the first time. It is a major step toward the Million Dollar Milestone, and this year, three new inductees were honored:

$750K Club: Pat & Stefanie Dacy, 3V Signs, Torrance, CA

$750K Club: Michael Martini, ImageLife Signs & Graphics, Nashville, TN

$750K Club: Cory McKnight, The Sign Center, Boise, ID

$750K Club: Dan & Laurie Peach, Precision Signs, Garner, NC (2020)

The Million-Dollar-Milestone Club and Beyond!

We have big news. Really BIG news. We are incredibly proud, inspired, wowed, and awed to announce that the Sign Biz Network now has SIX new inductees to the Million Dollar Milestone Club, bringing our tally to 38. But wait, there’s more! We recognized some Members who achieved the Two-Million-Dollar Milestone as well as the Three-Million-Dollar Milestone! This industry thrives, even during a pandemic!

$1 Million: Pat & Stefanie Dacy, 3V Signs (CA)

$1 Million: Lane Keen, Keen Signs (GA)

$1 Million: Sholom Hochman, Sign Here (NJ)

$1 Million: Michael Martini, ImageLife Signs (TN)

$1 Million: Jay & Yesha Patel, Platinum Sign (FL)

$1 Million: Joe Tindall, GrandMark Signs (KS)

& Beyond!

$2 Million: Linda Levitan & Mike Quigley, SIgn-Age (FL)

$3 Million: Justin & Michael Seibert, The Sign Brothers (GA)

Sales Consultants of the Year!

And finally, the awe-inspiring Sales Consultants of the Year awards! The 24th annual SCOYAs – Sales Consultants of the Year Awards –  were awarded this year Rising Stars, and a #1 Sales Consultant that exceeded $1 Million in annual salesa new record!  These awards honor individuals for thier commitment to service, dedication to each project, and ability to manage the multi-layered sales process with their teams.

First up, the Rising Star. Any consultant that has been selling for 12 months or more can be entered in this category. This individual was nominated by Jay and Claudia Nolan, owners of Kentucky Sign Center in London, KY. He won in this category for sales averaging $28,643, nearly triple his average in 2020 of $10,632. Dylan won in the New Consultant category in 2020, which is for those in the first year of their sales role. Congratulations to Dylan Ross!

STELLAR SCOYA

A significant SCOYA category is reserved for those who are shooting to the top spot in this annual competition, and have achieved the second highest annual sales with the largest single sale of the year. It is invigorating to see what can be achieved with full dedication to the consulting process.

This year our winner was nominated by Pat and Stefanie Dacy of 3V Signs in Torrance, CA. This year’s impressive win belongs to Adam Montoya, who not only managed a $331,479 sale (featured in this year’s General Session, Bid2Permit, panelist presentation), but achieved average monthly sales of 47,885!

CONGRATULATIONS, Adam, on a stellar accomplishment! Stefanie accepted the award on behalf of Adam, photo right.

#1 SALES CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR

And next, the much anticipated Sales Consultant of the Year, honored for highest sales and nominated for the quality of their performance. This year’s #1 Sales Consultant was nominated by Justin and Michael Seibert, The Sign Brothers, Bogart, GA. Their nominee has achieved average monthly sales of $139,097! We honor Phillip Henry for this prestigious award!

For the first time ever, the annual sales bar for top spot has been raised above $1Million – Phillip’s annual sales were $1,669,168! WOW!!

We are truly impressed with every accomplishment, and give Heartfelt congratulations to all of our SCOYA honorees!

Three Sign Biz Members who contributed as panelists in the Bid2Permit General Session were also recognized. Their knowledge and insights were invaluable! Pictured above from left: Joe Tindall, Pat Dacy and Lane Keen, with Teresa Young.

After thanking all Sponsors and Presenters, the Advisory Board and Member Contributors who worked behind the scenes with Walk the Floor with a Mentor, swag collections, and more were presented a Thank You framed acknowledgment.

The Gala Games!

There is crazy and then there is Reunion Gala Crazy. Late in the evening, it is time for teams to show off, or show… more… in “Cirque du Charades” aka inspired insanity! This is a themed team event like no other, and our esteemed sponsors get to be judge and jury!

Often bribed with drinks and money, sponsors (photo, right) are “treated” to the best the Sign Biz Network can offer in the Crazy category.

This year’s theme was “Cirque du Charades” and the zany antics of sharks, strange mythical creatures, cats, panthers, and more took center stage! Battling for the win were teams Trapezoners, Mobius Slips, Spun Sugars, the Illusionals, and the Tumbelinas. See the photos at the top of this article, and watch for the Music Video out this Summer, because words can never fully describe what happens….