European Sign Summit Programme June 23rd 2010, Munich 10.15-11.00
Registration and Coffee
SESSION ONE: Meeting future challenges 11.00-11.15
Welcome and Chairman’s Opening Remarks Luc Steegmans, ESF Vice President
11.15-11.50
KEYNOTE: The future challenges of sign making What will the signs of the future look like? What will they require from our community? Environmental sustainability and price competition from overseas – threat or opportunity? David Pitt, Group CEO, Principle Group
SESSION TWO: Light sources matching your application 11.50-12.15
LED – a grown up technology Exploring new applications for LED technololgy Luc Steegmans, Vice President, ESF
12.15-12.40
Discharge Lighting after Mercury In an attempt to cut the carbon emissions and to lower the bill for imported energy our governments push us to use 'energy saving lamps' which are discharge lamps with fluorescent coating. But to manufacture that type of lamp, like standard fluorescent lamps or cold cathode lamps such as commercial 'argon-filled' neon, minuscule quantities of mercury are indispensable. Although extensive recycling programmes are put in place for manufacturers and public alike that mercury is still seen as a threat to the environment. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Mercury is being banned from all manufacturing processes wherever possible, from barometers to switches, but is still tolerated for discharge lamps because there is no alternative yet. Scientists around the world are working hard to find alternatives as the clock is ticking. Are we there yet? What kind of life will there be for the illumination and sign industry after mercury is eventually banned? Dr Spiros Kitsinelis, Light Source expert
12.40-13.05
Neon, saving energy with a bright future. In recent years the industry has undergone a tsunami of commercial information about new lightsources that would help us to save energy and would last forever. Have we been caught by surprise and did we forget about the proven reliability of Neon and cold-cathode lighting? Certainly not. New techniques have been developed to produce brighter and longer lasting neon, consuming even less energy. While impartial research shows there is marginal difference only between the energy consumption of these new cold cathode products and the new lightsources, our new approach make it more eco-friendly than ever before. Join us to learn more about this and other exciting novelties in Munich. Fausto Martin, R&D Engineer
13.05-13.30
Electroluminescence: new applications in the advertising industry. Somewhere it rings a bell, electroluminescence. Several years ago we saw the first examples but the technology was not quite ready yet. The revolution of
nano-technology electroluminescence has matured things came within reach that were never thought possible before. Luminous dvd-boxes and magazine covers, fancy displays and even outdoor advertising, it’s all happening here and now. Don't miss out, update your knowledge and seen what's in store for you. Wouter Moons, founder, Lumoza
13.30-14.35
LUNCH
SESSION THREE: Corporate Identity; the need for exposure through signs 14.35-15.10
Signs in Corporate Communication and Identity Strategy Professor Jan Van der Veken, Professor of Business Communication, Brussels University
15.10-15.45
CASE STUDY: The value of sign perception in automotive Exploring the importance of signs in all aspects of the automotive sector’s marcomms mix – from brand awareness and positioning, to car launches and more. A senior figure from a major manufacturer (tbc)
15.45-16.05
COFFEE
SESSION FOUR: Spotlight on the future 16.05-16.40
Dark Skies and Illuminated Signs – we need both We all like to find our way when driving through cities, using illuminated signs as reference points. Illuminated signs in a city help to make us feel safer in the evenings, they even help the city treasurer to save on his energy bill. But the public awareness about energy consumption is rising, together with an improved understanding of our environment. Signmakers have a social responsability because the products they sell affect the society one way or the other. Some authorities are becoming more strict already, based on aesthetics and on brightness. It's time to act, to proof the sign industry can be a responsable one. Do we need that much light, just anywhere? Can we do things differently? Come and hear the opinion of the Dark Sky Association in Europe. Let's find out how we can do better, the sign industry together with the environment. Friedel Pas, European Liaison Officer, International Dark Skies Association
16.40-17.15
PANEL: The future of the signmaking sector Featuring: Richard Gottwald, Executive Vice President, International Sign Association, David Pitt, Jan Van der Veken, Friedel Pas, Fausto Martin
17.15-17.30
Keynote conclusion: The future vision for the sign sector David Pitt
17.35-17.40
Chairman’s closing remarks
17.40-18.30
Networking drinks