Dear DSF Members,
Happy 2024!
I would like to start by saying it is a true honor to assume the role of Chairman or your Digital Signage Federation. I say your because the DSF is and has always been a “by members for members” organization. Our sole focus, as the only not-for-profit voice of the digital signage industry, is the continued growth of the ecosystem across all of the business verticals that digital signage touches.
For those of you who may not know me, I’ve been in this industry for over 25 years, starting at Daktronics in 1996. I then spent 20 years at Rise Vision as Managing Director and today I serve as the CRO at Rise Display.
I inherit a healthy and stable organization thanks in large part to our outgoing Chairman, Len Dudis. His guidance and leadership over these past two years was crucial as we emerged from COVID and began the process of rebuilding the DSF.
As I look back on 2023, I can honestly say it was an amazingly productive year for the DSF:
- We successfully held Mix and Mingle events in Louisville, Toronto, Denver, and Mexico City where we engaged with hundreds of our members providing valuable networking and educational opportunities.
- In October we held our Cocktails and Controversy event at Sony in New York during Digital Out of Home week where our panel of experts debated how AI will shape the future of the digital signage industry.
- We curated the D=Sign educational track at InfoComm and provided show floor tours.
- We exhibited at CEDIA/Commercial Integrator, International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), and Digital Signage Experience (DSE). Each of these events enabled us to interact with our members and attract new end user members.
- Our Advisory Council continues to grow with new voices from across the ecosystem. The AC has become a valuable resource to guide and inform us on the key issues and trends shaping our industry as well as providing much needed financial support to help the DSF remain an independent voice for the community.
- We converted the CMS and LMS backends of our website to provide us with a strong foundation to build our community, communicate with you our members and provide valuable micro educational credentials.
As we begin 2024 the entire board is focused on delivering even more networking and educational opportunities for our members. This year we are scheduled to hold Mix & Mingle events in the following cities:
- Feb 22 – CCS Presentation Systems new HQ (Mesa, AZ)
- May 16 – Water Street (Tampa, FL)
- Sept 12 – Location TBD (Philadelphia, PA)
In addition to those events, we’re also working on another D=Sign educational track and show floor tours for InfoComm 2024 later this year in Las Vegas.
As I mentioned earlier, we have invested in a new backend CMS and LMS. As part of that process, each member has received instructions on how to update their directory listing. One of the first projects we are using the new CMS for is to create a visual landscape of the industry to help end users find the right companies to engage with for their specific needs. The new LMS provides easier access to our 35+ micro educational credential courses for ongoing personal development of our members. If your organization has expertise with a specific topic, please consider volunteering to create new educational courses.
As a “by members for members” organization the DSF needs the support of each and every member. To that end I implore you to please get involved. Join a committee, share your thought leadership or “Work that Wins”, and attend our quarterly Mix & Mingles to network with fellow members. We are here to work together to grow the industry as a whole. I look forward to seeing you at one of our events!
All the best,
Ryan Cahoy
Chairman, Board of Directors
