The DSF Board of Directors authorized the extension of all company memberships which expire on or after March 1, 2020 to September 1, 2020.  This is intended to help companies which may not be able to process renewal applications during the current pandemic.

The extension also extends the benefits of membership to all these companies and their employees through September 1.  One of the major DSF member benefits is access to education and certification.  This summer is a great time to invest in your professional development using these resources.

Summer School

DSF Education and Micro-Credentials

The DSF Education Committee has put together a strong online educational program of 30+ courses and encourages all members to take full advantage of these online programs this summer.  These courses are aligned to a set of micro-credentials received upon completion.  All DSF member companies receive one complimentary license for an employee to take the courses which are arranged in 4 separate learning plans.

Certification

– The Digital Signage Experts Group (DSEG) offers 4 certifications.  DSF Members receive two licenses to the flagship Digital Signage Certified Expert (DSCE) program.

Please use the links above to register for or access these educational programs.

Reminder

The DSF also offers educational discounts to the DSE 2020 show on September 15-18, 2020.  Registration for hall and education passes has reopened.  DSF members receive up to 25% off of the educational packages.

DSE has released information about precautions and preparedness for the September 15-18, 2020 show in Las Vegas.  The DSF is the official trade association sponsor of the DSE.

Read the Statement and the FAQs here

The DSF online education program has been developed by-members and for-members. This video briefly describes the program and its benefits and offers suggestions for how you can contribute to education in our industry.  Thanks to former Education Committee Chair Ryan Cahoy for his work on this video.

(Montclair, New Jersey) By day Jose Suriel is Pearl Media’s Art Director, superbly handling a varied potpourri of creative tasks.  But when he has free time, he grabs a needle and thread and sews. “I’ve been sewing for about eight years now. I taught myself how to sew when I bought my first sewing machine back in 2012,” said Suriel from his new WFH station. “I always had a love for fashion and creating, so I decided to give it a try.”

Fast forward and Jose now creates an assortment of fashion accessories – from scarves to bow ties. Add to that tote bags, clutches and throw pillows. He’s even made his own costumes for Mardi Gras and Halloween. “I’ve sold a couple things here and there, especially my scarves and bow ties but it’s mostly a hobby.”

Recently though, Jose has turned his talent toward helping those on the front lines of the war against COVID-19.  “My best friend is a Nurse at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston and she was telling me how there are no masks and I was obviously hearing that all over the news, too. So, I decided why not?”

He had the fabric but needed the elastic bands to complete the masks but everywhere he looked they were sold out.  After an exhaustive search he finally found some on Amazon (where else?) and was able to order them. They arrived earlier this week, allowing him to begin work. He plans on making as many as he can, in order to donate them to the hospital. “It’s going to take me a while since it’s just me, but I wanted to help out as much as I can.”

The Pearl Media family is proud of but not surprised by Jose’s selfless act of kindness during this time of tremendous need. “Jose has always been a supporter of local businesses, restaurants and first responders,” said Daniel Odham, SVP for Production. “His kindness is without measure, whether he’s working for Pearl Media or working for the friends and family in his community.” Added Chief Operating Officer Jen Almeida, “I’ve worked with him for more years than I can count now, so it’s no surprise to me that he’s using his talents for good as those talents are rivaled only by his kindness. Plus, he has quite an eye for fashion. As you can see, his masks are as functional as they are fashionable!”

Here’s hoping the first responders who receive them wear them in good health.

About Pearl Media
Pearl Media develops, manages and sells unique marketing and digital media opportunities. Working with best in class real estate assets, Pearl digitizes urban core mixed use commercial space, transit centers and transit adjacent properties in top markets with premium place-based digital signage networks. We target and transform premium large format static properties and vacant storefronts into best-in-market out-of-home advertising opportunities. At Pearl we leverage all of our creative and technical disciplines to provide an all-encompassing 360-degree platform that enhances a real estate asset’s persona allowing brands to engage with consumers in meaningful ways where they work, shop, live and play through digital signage, experiential activation spaces and sponsorship opportunities.

In December 2019 the DSF Board of Directors approved support for a concept called Advocates for Connected Experiences (ACE).  The purpose of ACE is to be a forum for sharing among associations in the digital signage, digital experience, and out-of-home industries.  This sharing is intended to help associations which represent similar groups of constituents to find common language and accepted practices.  The collaborative environment is also intended to facilitate cross-education of partner constituencies by helping each other discover knowledge and professional development resources offered their respective groups.

ACE’s first collaborative project is to post COVID 19 public service announcement (PSA) content which may be used publicly under the creators’ use policies.  Other collaboration will occur and the DSF anticipates an operating agreement to be approved by ACE partners this spring.  ACE is only open to associations, not individual companies.

Read More About ACE