On top of this month’s exciting British Franchise Exhibition, Signs Express franchisees have been celebrating their own success at this year’s bi-annual convention.

As well as the excitement of this month’s British Franchise Exhibition, Signs Express franchisees have been celebrating their own success at this year’s bi-annual convention.

With nearly all of the 80-strong franchisees attending from all over the UK and Ireland, this year’s Signs Express Convention at the De Vere Dunston Hall hotel Norwich, proved to be the most successful to date. The two day learning experience gave guests the opportunity to increase their knowledge of latest market trends and developments, discuss corporate branding issues and have the opportunity to meet with key suppliers at a dedicated Supplier Forum.

The culmination of the event was a glitzy black and white themed awards’ evening, created to reward franchisees for their continued commitment and growth as part of a leading sign-making franchise network.

The Signs Excellence and the Franchisee awards gave all franchisees the opportunity to be fully recognised for their individual achievements. A number of centres entered but with only three finalists per category, competition was tough.

This year saw David and Kim Nurse at Signs Express (Leeds) crowned The 2007 Franchisees of the Year, having also received the Newcomer of the Year award at the last Convention in 2005. Other winners included Malcolm Lant at Signs Express (Gateshead) winning Resale Franchisee of the Year and Stephen Read at Signs Express (Aylesbury) for best Greenfield Franchisee of the Year.

Also celebrating this year’s awards were Neil and Carol Fraser at Signs Express (Glasgow) who won a double whammy. Firstly, for the Best Interior Sign Award for internal signage at the new atrium building in the University of Bradford and secondly, for Best Project for its Slaters contract – an ongoing project to supply signage for the leading clothing store. The Glasgow team were delighted to be named as finalists for five different projects, a first for the awards.

Best Exterior Sign was awarded to Signs Express (Falkirk) for an illuminated sign for the Alloa Plant – franchisee Steve McMurray created a striking new entrance sign for the glass bottle manufacturer. And finally, Gareth and Julia Doherty at Signs Express (Wembley) revved into first place for Best Vehicle Graphics with two vehicle wraps on behalf of the RAF.

The Sign Excellence awards were expertly judged by two members of the British Sign & Graphics Association; Mike Hall Chairman of the Technical Committee and Albert Baxter who is Director of the BSGA.

Signs Express Managing Director David Corbett commented on the weekend’s events: “Our bi-annual convention is always eagerly anticipated and once again this year was a complete success. It is never easy to choose from such an array of franchising talent, and with so many success stories this year the decision has not been any easier. All of this year’s winners have proved worthy of their titles and are true examples of the theme of this year’s convention – Proud to Franchise.”

Since its inception in 1989, Signs Express has developed into the largest sign company in the UK and Ireland providing a complete design, manufacture and fitting service for all forms of signage including interior and exterior signs, vehicle graphics, banners, window graphics and exhibition display products.

Signs Express will be exhibiting at this month’s forthcoming British Franchise Exhibition at Birmingham’s NEC on Stand M140 on 5-6 October.