FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2007

SGIA Volunteers Install 20 Large Graphic Panels in New Orleans - Donated graphics cover damaged Canal Street stores as community rebuilds

Fairfax, Virginia -- Brilliant graphic panels now cover several damaged storefronts in New Orleans thanks to an entirely volunteer effort created by the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA). http://www.sgia.org/

The SGIA Canal Street Initiative recently completed its first phase of an ambitious plan to produce and install approximately 80 large graphic panels -- measuring on average 1.2 meters by 2.4 meters (4 feet by 8 feet) -- along segments of Canal Street, a main downtown artery. http://www.sgia.org/new_orleans/press_support.cfm

Volunteer installers covered boarded-up storefront windows along the street's 800 block with the 20 panels, which featured digitally printed images of the city's heritage and culture.

"The SGIA Canal Street Initiative is off to a fantastic start," said SGIA President/CEO Michael Robertson. "The installed panels provide a startling difference to the urban environment."

The first waves of panels, installed in time for the September 8 Canal Street Opening Festival, helped visitors and residents visualize the street's redevelopment progress, said Kurt Weigle, Executive Director of the city’s Downtown Development District.

"We can have hundreds of millions of dollars in new investments, but until it's complete it doesn't have the impact a few beautifully designed graphic panels can have," Weigle said.

With donations of labor and materials from more than 20 member companies and business partners, the SGIA Canal Street Initiative will help revitalize New Orleans while showing the the benefits of using large-format graphics in construction and renovation areas. http://www.sgia.org/new_orleans/volunteers.cfm

Learn more about the SGIA Canal Street Initiative and view photos at SGIA.org, Keyword: NOLA. http://www.sgia.org/new_orleans/press_support.cfm

SGIA -- Supporting the Leaders of the Digital & Screen Printing Community
"Specialty imaging" comprises digital imaging, screen printing and the many other imaging technologies SGIA members use, including those they'll tap in the future. These are the imaging processes and technologies employed to create new products and to enhance existing products including point-of-purchase displays, signs, advertisements, garments, containers and vehicles. Make the most of your specialty imaging business. Take full advantage of the information on SGIA.org, and experience the specialty graphic imaging industry firsthand at SGIA '07 (Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida; October 24-27, 2007).

SGIA
10015 Main St.
Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone: 703-359-1310
E-Mail: mhiggins@sgia.org
Website URL: www.sgia.org