Industry News

Grant Walker Selected to Join Elite Program for Emerging Leaders in the Sign, Graphics and Visual Communications Industry

(CARROLLTON, Texas) March 12, 2018— Grant Walker, Business Consultant at FASTSIGNS International, Inc., has been invited to join the International Sign Association’s (ISA) Elite program, recognizing the next generation of sign, graphics and visual communications industry leaders. Walker is among only 36 young professionals worldwide chosen for this year’s program.

The ISA Elite program, now in its fourth year, includes three nights’ hotel accommodation and free entry to all education sessions at the ISA International Sign Expo. It also includes unique networking opportunities with fellow professionals and industry leaders. A two-day follow-up leadership retreat will be held in the fall.

“Our association, tradeshow and industry have been transformed by the energy that the ISA Elite brings each year,” said Lori Anderson, ISA president and CEO. “Already, past Elite members are giving back by serving on committees and boards of the ISA and ISA regional affiliates. We’re excited to have Grant Walker join this prestigious group, and we look forward to the insights that each member of the 2018 class brings.”

Walker grew up in the sign and graphics industry helping run his family’s FASTSIGNS® franchise business in Lubbock, Texas. He helped the FASTSIGNS centers in various roles from production to sales to operational management. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Angelo State University in 2009 and his Master of Business Administration with a focus in entrepreneurship in 2011. He joined FASTSIGNS International, Inc. as an inside Business Consultant and later became a new center Business Consultant, where he helped open more than 60 new FASTSIGNS locations. In his current position, he oversees a variety of franchise support initiatives to help franchisees improve their business management, operational efficiency and profitability.

“I’m honored to be a part of the 2018 ISA Elite class and to participate with other emerging leaders in the industry,” Walker said. “I look forward to learning about new products and technologies at the ISA Sign Expo so that I can share this knowledge to help our FASTSIGNS franchisees be more successful. One of the biggest things I have always loved about the sign and visual communications industry is the variety of products and capabilities; there are so many different niches to explore. At FASTSIGNS, we use the term ‘solution selling’ because we do not just sell products, we sell solutions.”

The ISA International Sign Expo takes place March 22-24, 2018 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, with education events starting on March 21. Learn more at www.signexpo.org.

About FASTSIGNS®

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the largest sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 675 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS® centers in eight countries including the U.S., Canada, England, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Grand Cayman, Mexico and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®).

FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive sign and visual graphic solutions to help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, sell more products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points including décor, events, wearables and marketing materials. Learn more about sign and visual graphic solutions or find a location at fastsigns.com. Follow the brand on Twitter @FASTSIGNS, Facebook at facebook.com/FASTSIGNS or on LinkedIn. For information about the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity, contact Mark Jameson (mark.jameson@fastsigns.com or call 214.346.5679).

About ISA

The International Sign Association (ISA) represents manufacturers, suppliers, and users of on-premise signs and sign products from the United States and 60 countries around the world. ISA and its Affiliated Associations work to support, promote, and improve the worldwide sign and visual communications industry, which employs more than 200,000 American workers and has an economic impact of $37.5 billion.

About ISA International Sign Expo

ISA International Sign Expo is the on-premise sign and graphics industry’s largest expo. Held each spring, the event features the latest products that showcase the breadth of the industry along with education and networking events. The event has been named to the Trade Show News Network’s List of Top 250 Trade Shows and ranked in the Top 100 Largest Events by Trade Show Executive three consecutive years. Learn more at www.signexpo.org.