With the credit crunch providing ample doom and gloom amongst many business owners and employees, FASTSIGNS® were pleased to give out awards and praise at their annual convention in Oxford.

FASTSIGNS have Centres all over the UK and abroad. The company specialises in sign and graphics products including exhibition displays and corporate and retail signage.  Awards were handed out for Newcomer of the Year, Sales Achievement, and Marketing, with other categories including Project of the Year.
 
The FASTSIGNS award was presented to Jenny Boreham, owner of FASTSIGNS Chelmsford for 11 years.  This coveted award is presented each year to the franchisee that best represents the spirit and concept of the FASTSIGNS name.  Jenny who also picked up a Sales Achievement Award at the convention said; “We are delighted that all our hard work has been acknowledged and we would like to thank all our customers for their continued support over the past 11 years.”
 
Mark Wright of FASTSIGNS Bolton received the award for highest achieving Newcomer.  He commented, “The past couple of years have been a rollercoaster ride.  We opened just before the credit crunch and have managed not just to keep our heads above water but to show significant growth.  Our sales have increased by more than a third in the past year and once the economy recovers there will be no holding us back.”
 

Father and son team Chris and Andy Simpson of FASTSIGNS Leeds were delighted when the convention recognised their outstanding sales achievement.  Andy Simpson said, “We are proof that businesses can buck the trend and do well in a recession, thanks to the hard work, dedication and team work.”
 
Garth Allison, Managing Director of FASTSIGNS UK to unveiled the company’s new Business Planning Toolkit.  This is designed to help franchisees budget, and formulate marketing and sales plans efficiently.  Garth explained; “FASTSIGNS Franchisees receive comprehensive support from head office business consultants who are on hand to give advice on every subject.  The new toolkit is a useful software package to help streamline processes.”
 
Representatives from FASTSIGNS corporate headquarters in Dallas, Texas, USA, also attended the convention to share their knowledge and expertise with UK franchisees and their staff. The US delegation included, President of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., Larry Lane; Director of Special Projects, Matt Miles; Senior Field Marketing Manager, Chuck Kaylor and Technical Service Representative, Brian Boehm.
 
 
Award Winners:
 

The Fastsigns Award

Jenny Boreham, Chelmsford.
 
Sales Achievement
Jenny Boreham, Chelmsford
Chris and Andy Simpson, Leeds
Mark Phelps, Kingston
 
Sales Improvement
Justin Tidmarsh, Coventry
Alan Reaveley and Richard Towers, Peterborough
 
Marketing
Alan Reaveley and Richard Towers, Peterborough
 
Newcomer of the Year
Mark Wright, Bolton.
 
Project of the Year
Mark Phelps, Kingston.