Nikki Bochler
Director of Operations, Western Canada,
Pattison Sign Group (Penticton, BC)

How long has your company been in business?
Right around the 100-year mark!

Who has inspired you in your career? 
Kim Brumwell, our former Director of Operations for Canada at PSG. She really showed me that women can do anything, even in male-dominated industries like ours. She’s a wonderful mom, grandmother and was an inspirational boss. 

What has been the most challenging sign you’ve built and/or installed?
The Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital letter sets in Saskatoon. The installation had to be coordinated around Stars Ambulance and we had to be careful of wall penetrations going into the maternity ward! 

What advice would you give someone who is interested in working in the sign industry?
Do it! It’s a great industry to be a part of, so rewarding. 

What is your favorite part of the job?
Making our customers happy – it’s all worth it when you have a satisfied customer.

What’s been your favorite or most memorable moment of your career so far?
Before September 24, 2021 I would have said winning PSG Employee of the Year for Western Canada in 2012 but now the highlight was being named Sign Professional of the Year at the 2021 BOCSIes!

How do you spend your free time?
Listening and recording podcasts, kayaking, hiking, swimming and enjoying the beautiful Okanagan! 

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about your business?
We don’t just service North America, we have PSG built signs in Japan, New Zealand and Australia! 

What has BCSA membership meant to you both personally and professionally? 
Being a member of the BCSA has helped me build a network of professional and exceptional manufacturing and installation partners for my day to day business but the most important thing membership has done has linked me up with other women in the industry. And these dedicated women have banded together to form Breaking Barriers: Women in the Sign Industry – a group of women helping women navigate their careers in a male-dominated industry. I’m very proud of the work we have done to elevate the visibility of the Sign Industry as a lucrative and viable career option for women.

Check out Nikki’s podcast, Breaking Barriers: Women in the Sign Industry — celebrating and elevating the business of signs and sign making, with a special focus on the women breaking barriers in the industry — on Spotify and Buzzsprout.

Just as our province was lifting ourselves out of the pandemic rubble, catastrophic flooding and once-in-a-hundred-years weather events devastated parts of British Columbia. To anyone – business or resident – living in the flood effected areas, our hearts go out to you. And as we brace for another week of heavy rain, we hope the damaged highways, cities and farms will soon be restored and that those displaced are able to return home safely as soon as possible.

If you are wondering what you can do to help during these tough times, here is a list of various websites and organizations on the frontlines bringing aid and support to those most in need right now.

• Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund: www.abbotsfordcf.org
• Chilliwack Search and Rescue: www.chilliwacksar.org
• BC SPCA: www.spca.bc.ca
• Abbotsford Food Bank: www.abbotsfordfoodbank.com
• United Way BC: www.uwbc.ca/flood
• Disaster Aid Canada: www.canadahelps.org
• Langley Animal Protection Society: www.lapsbc.ca
• Canadian Red Cross: www.redcross.ca

Before the flooding, supply chains were already delayed and disrupted, testing the Sign Industry’s resolve. Through all of this, the BCSA has been here – we are your neighbours, co-workers, customers, suppliers and yes, in some instances, competitors. But we are all experiencing, on some level, the same things, and after all is said and done – we are in this together. With a little more patience and banding together, this great industry will overcome and be more successful than ever.

Stay safe and stay strong BC.

– Nikki Boechler, BC Sign Association

Jordan Jacobs
Director, Vancouver Sign Group (Richmond, BC)

How long has your company been in business?
Scott Screen Process (original company) has been in business since 1941! Our new business (Vancouver Sign Group) was formed in January of 2019 as a result of two companies merging – Scott Paragon Signs and Zippy Signs.

Who has inspired you in your career?
My father and brother who originally purchased Scott Screen Process back in 2004.

What has been the most challenging sign you’ve built and/or installed?
If you have worked in a sign shop, you may know that sometimes the smallest easiest signs can have the biggest challenge. When you are working with custom signage every day, each project has its own challenges whether it be a size restriction, an obstacle in the way during installation, or simply a creative way to achieve what the client is wanting within a cost effective solution.

What advice would you give someone who is interested in working in the sign industry?
It is an amazing industry for someone who is a problem solver and loves new challenges every day!

What is your favourite part of the job?
As above, the new challenges that every day brings. Every day is something new and exciting which keeps me on my toes!

What’s been your favourite or most memorable moment of your career so far?
My favourite moment(s) in my career is being able to put on my branded golf shirt every morning with a smile, knowing that I love where I am going to be working every day!

How do you spend your free time?
I love camping, road trips, hiking and trail walks! I also love wandering the streets staring at signs..

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about your business?
That we have over 100 years experience in the sign industry!

What has BCSA membership meant to you both personally and professionally? 
The BCSA has been a great group to work with on a professional and non-professional level. The relationships I have built with some of the members has allowed me to take my business to the next level. The ability to call on another member for advice/guidance, or simply a chat is more than what I could have asked for as a member. For this reason alone, I recommend anyone who is interested in joining the BCSA, to do so – not to mention the great events we hold throughout the year!

Member Spotlight features BCSA members, highlighting how they are making a difference and how they have benefitted from BCSA membership. It’s an opportunity to share stories, inspire future sign industry superstars, and strengthen awareness of the industry and association. If you’re interested in being featured, please contact us!

For the latest information on this, please go to: https://sac-ace.ca/your-chance-to-join-the-sign-association-of-canada-board-of-directors/

 

The Sign Association of Canada (SAC) is conducting a “Call for Nominations” for the national board of directors. We are looking to fill 1 (one) Director at Large position.  Our board members are dedicated to advancing the sign industry while also improving and expanding upon national and regional programs and services that support and benefit the profession and our membership. SAC’s Board of Directors sets national priorities for the association and provides leadership for the sign industry.

The nomination process is designed to identify, encourage and enlist the active participation of dedicated professionals in the service of the Sign Association at a leadership level.

Want to apply? Nominees must be members in good standing with SAC voting privileges and must submit their application form by April 13, 2021 to sacinfo@signs.org.

For the latest information on this, please go to: https://sac-ace.ca/call-out-for-task-force-and-committee-members/

 

Committees and task forces are critical association mechanisms for involving its members, tapping into their specific expertise, ensuring that different perspectives are incorporated and for cultivating volunteer leaders.

As we look to the year ahead, we’d love to involve new voices on the following task forces & committees: Communications/Social Media Outreach, Professional Development Task Force, Membership Task Force, Best of Canadian Sign Industry Awards Task Force, and Government Relations Task Force

Task forces are an excellent way of getting involved in the association, becoming known in the industry for your area of expertise and getting ready for involvement on the association’s Board of Directors.

SAC Board of Directors and its Committee and Task Force Members are committed to furthering SAC’s Vision:

• The sign industry is renowned for its high standards and professionalism
• The Sign Association of Canada is a valued and critical partner to decision makers in developing sign regulations, standards, bylaws and legislation
• The sign industry is well recognized as a credible and desirable career opportunity)
  

The opportunity to serve on a Task Force/Committee is open to SAC-ACE members in good standing and the deadline to submit your interest form is Monday, January 25th. Sign up online with this Task Force form.

Task Forces:

Communications/Social Media Outreach (meetings as needed)

• Role: Plan and monitor social media strategy for both SAC and Best of Canadian Sign Industry awards night
• Specific Activities:
  • Review/update the SAC social media strategy on a regular basis
  • Communicate recommendations to SAC office (Carla Wintersgill)
  • Be available as a sounding board resource for SAC office
  • Suggested deadline: ongoing, as necessary

Professional Development Task Force (short term project; January – March 2021)

• Role: Recommend 2021 programming
• Specific activities:
  • Provide feedback to staff recommendations regarding potential virtual event topics and speakers
  • Recommend programming as applicable (speakers, webinars, SEC)

Membership Task Force (Meetings as needed)

• Role: Provide input and feedback on member campaigns with a goal of increasing membership engagement and ensuring that association’s benefits and activities add value to members.
• Specific activities:
  • Provide input to Manager of Membership and Communications

Best of Canadian Sign Industry Awards Task Force (monthly meetings: February – September)

• Role: Advisory and support to BOCSI planning and operations, and attendee marketing
• Specific activities:
  • Provide strategy for BOCSI attendee marketing
  • Provide input and support as requested by task force Chair
    • Deadline: September

Government Relations Task Force (meet as needed)

• Role: Provide vision, direction and leadership in developing initiative to educate, monitor and review legislation as it pertains to the regulation and activities at the municipal, provincial and federal level.
• Specific Activities:
  • Review Bylaws, regulations and propose changes

For the latest information on this, please go to: https://sac-ace.ca/sign-expo-canada/

The Sign Association of Canada / Association Canadienne de L’Enseigne (SAC-ACE) Board of Directors have voted to cancel SAC-ACE’s Sign Expo Canada 2021.

 

Acknowledging the large financial commitment required to hold and participate in SAC’s Sign Expo Canada, combined with the current restrictions on travel, the continuing pandemic, and the related economic uncertainties, the board decided to cancel SAC’s Sign Expo Canada 2021. The board opted to focus the organization’s time and resources into providing programs and services that can help our industry respond, recover and rebuild throughout all of 2021.

 

We look forward to gathering in person in 2022 and remain steadfast in our mission to you, your staff and your companies.

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact me or Karin Eaton at karin.eaton@signs.org if you have questions.

 

Stay safe and strong,

 

Carl Weger, President
carl@sleeksigns.com
Sign Association of Canada Board of Directors

The BC Sign & Graphics Show that was previously rescheduled to February 2021 has been CANCELLED. The BC Sign Association made the tough decision to cancel as we feel it would be irresponsible to host a trade show with COVID-19 still restricting gatherings and travel. Please email info@bcsignassociation.com for refunds or to request more information. We truly appreciate the continued support and look forward to a time when we can see everyone again.

For more information, go to https://www.signs.org/mfgday/register

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