he Commercial Graphics Innovation Summit (CGIS) took place last month as the most recent initiative by United Applications Standards Group(UASG) to set and maintain the highest possible quality and ethical standards for the graphic installation trade.
This year’s conference was hosted in St. Paul, Minnesota, in conjunction with 3M giving more than 75 companies three days of training, team building and camaraderie.

For specific business-building and operations support, a series of roundtable discussions at the event covered human resources, accounting, sales and marketing. Specific attention was devoted to hiring/firing practices and current OSHA requirements.

Aside from training sessions—including the proper usage of 3M Knifeless Tape—attendees took to the unique opportunity to network. UASG installers often rely on one another for large jobs that span multiple states. The UASG continues to be North America’s largest organization of 3M Certified Installers and only those who have met the stringent requirements can claim these designations, according to the group.

Summit attendees also completed community outreach work—creating a gymnasium wrap for a local nonprofit, theWashburn Center for Children. Production of the graphics was handled by St. Paul-based Vomela, and materials were donated by 3M.

“As proud as we are of the work we do at the summit and throughout the year, and as proud as we are of our installer-members, the way we all come together and work side-by-side on behalf of worthwhile charity organizations is really something to see,” says Julie Martin, president of UASG.