Letters from the Chairman

August 4, 2011

Dear Digital Signage Federation Member,

At mid-year, I wanted to take the opportunity to report on the progress of your Digital Signage Federation.

Your DSF has accomplished quite a lot on your behalf so far in 2011.  In February, we hosted a golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club Las Vegas, not only as a kick-off to the week at the Digital Signage Expo, but also as a thank you to all of our early supporters.  Our participation at the Digital Signage Expo 2011 (DSE) provided DSF with increased exposure and broadened relationships with key players in our industry.  DSE, DSF’s official trade show, experienced its best year yet, with a strong group of exhibitors and new participants attending.  Educational seminars provided by our Vice Chairman, Alan Brawn of Brawn Consulting, saw standing-room only attendance, demonstrating the need for more education – a key component of the DSF’s mission to our members.  We continue to work closely with the DSE and look forward to many years of a mutually beneficial relationship.

In February DSF released new industry privacy standards, developed by our Standards Committee, headed by Ken Goldberg of Real Digital Media.  These standards have gone on to be cited in numerous trade articles and blog posts, and will soon be used by other associations as guidelines as they seek to understand the field of digital signage.  The Standards Committee is currently working on a digital signage “glossary” that will provide a common vocabulary for understanding the different terms used within the industry.

In addition to the work of the Standards Committee, our Membership Committee, co-chaired by Jennifer Bolt of rVue, Inc. and Carre Dawson of Harris Corp. Broadcast Communications, has been contacting those whose stake in our industry should compel them to join the DSF, and take advantage of the long list of quantifiable benefits that accrue to membership in our organization.  Our current membership structure allows for a single company to sign up as many of its employees as it likes to utilize the different benefits and discounts that we offer.  

In April DSF launched a new Speaker’s Bureau and Career Center on the website.  The Career Center provides you and colleagues in your organization access not only to top jobs, but also resumes of qualified individuals who know the field of digital signage.  The Speaker’s Bureau is a place where event and meeting planners can contact different member experts in the various fields of digital signage, providing both our members and the DSF exposure throughout the industry.

In May the Board made the great decision to bring on Geri Wolff of Market Works International, Inc. as Director of Marketing and Communications.  We are excited at the opportunity to have a tireless driving force working with us to help increase the credibility and exposure of our DSF.

We remain committed to being the only truly independent voice in the digital signage industry.  We have many exciting opportunities ahead of us, including the addition of 21 new college chapters, the continuation of our webinar series, and exhibitions at related industry events.  I hope you will participate in shaping the future of our industry by joining one of our many committees and by sending us press releases to share with the membership about new technologies and events developed by your company.  Please feel free to reach out to anyone on the board for more additional information on the DSF and where it is headed.

Sincerely,

Bob Stowe
DSF Chairman
Director, Marketing Services, Wendy’s International, Inc.