Dear members of the Digital Signage Federation,
It has been quite a whirlwind for our organization since last year’s Digital Signage Expo. In 2017, we unveiled a new brand logo & website and announced the formation of the Global DOOH Council. The Council was created with the explicit purpose of developing resources for DSF members to build their capacity to support out-of-home advertising companies, agencies and brands.
During the past year, we also hosted regional meetings throughout the U.S. and continue to offer professional education sessions online, through the DSE, and with our certification partner, Digital Signage Experts Group (DSEG).
The DSF leadership team also established DSF Latin America, aimed at offering cross-pollination of practices and opening opportunities for our members in new markets. In Europe, the DSF and our affiliate, DSF Europe, have been working with the DSE to grow the respective markets and facilitate the sharing of global best practices. We are working to develop a first-of-its-kind common set of shared best practices and standards across the DOOH and digital signage industries with numerous industry partners. The first iteration of this document will be available to members shortly after DSE.
Despite our progress, the DSF has no plans of slowing down. Our membership continues to grow and so far, just over 80 new members have joined this year. Additionally, the DSF’s Education Committee will introduce a new online micro-credential program shortly after DSE. This program, which will start with a Digital Signage Fundamentals Course, will provide DSF members access to a robust learning experience throughout the year.
With these new initiatives on the horizon, our objectives remain clear – delivering professional development opportunities, growing the use of best practices within our industry, and promoting the interest of our members.
As we gear up for this year’s Digital Signage Expo, it’s a good time to remind members why the show is vital to the mission of the DSF. The expo serves as the official trade show of the DSF, it provides a nexus for our industry each year and it is often the initial resource for companies looking to implement digital signage. DSF members host pre- and post-conference education events; represent 42 percent of program presenters; and make up more than 60 percent of exhibition space at the show. The DSF has also taken a leadership role within DSE for the Apex Awards and will be presenting the educator of the year and DSF Geri Wolff Scholarship at the award ceremony. The DSF is also actively supporting the Women of Digital Signage group that is in its formation.
Eventually, we would like all expo exhibitors to be active DSF members and, with the discounts provided, this vision is feasible as long as we continue to offer valuable programs, educational opportunities and networking occasions. In 2017, for example, the leadership of the DSE and the DSF agreed to an extension of our relationship and an increase of educational discounts for members to 25 percent. While the DSF remains an independent association, the expo is our most important partner to achieve our mission.
This past year has put our organization and members on a strong growth trajectory and we are looking forward to riding that momentum to achieve even more in 2018. I personally want to thank you all for supporting our industry association and I am looking forward to seeing you in Las Vegas March 27-30!
Richard Ventura
VP Strategy for NEC Display Solutions of America, Inc. and 2018 DSF Chairman
