Signworks Wins Watchfire's 2024 LED Sign Awards Grand Prize
2026-10-29 · via Digital Signage Today
Watchfire Signs has named Signworks the grand prize winner of its 12th annual LED Sign Awards, recognizing a dealer-installed electronic message center at Riverview Health Arena in Indiana. The award matters to sign and display buyers because it points to how dealers are integrating digital message centers into architectural structures rather than bolting them on as standalone elements, a design approach that is increasingly common in outdoor and venue signage.
The winning installation uses a 16mm Watchfire EMC measuring roughly 21 feet by 4 inches by 33 feet, built into a large pylon along the I-69 corridor. According to the release, Signworks designed the display to be part of the pylon's overall architectural form instead of treating it as a separate sign component.
"We designed the EMC to be integrated into the overall architectural form of the sign, rather than treated as a separate sign element," said Andy Chapman, CEO and founder of Signworks, in the release. He said the placement creates visual hierarchy while giving the arena a communication platform for event promotions, graphics and real-time messaging as part of what the release calls a gateway feature for the Innovation Mile development.
For arena and venue operators, the project is a reminder that outdoor LED message centers remain a primary tool for driving local awareness of events, separate from indoor digital signage and retail media deployments. The release frames the sign's value in terms of traffic exposure along a highway corridor, though it does not provide specific traffic counts or viewership figures.
Eleven gold winners also recognized
Watchfire named 11 additional gold winners in this year's competition, spanning a mix of retail, religious, education, government and recreational installations. Winners include Horst Signs for a project with Bell & Evans in Pennsylvania, Baldus Company for Huntington First Church of the Nazarene in Indiana, Empire Graphics for Patuxent Baptist Church in Maryland, Holiday Signs for The Highlander Studios in Virginia, Creative Sign Company for Honeymoon Acres in Wisconsin, Phillips Signs for Holly Lakes Campsites in Delaware, Fritz Signs for its own location in Michigan, Ace Sign Co. for Scheels Sports Park in Illinois, City Sign Service for the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, and North Shore Sign for two separate projects in Illinois.
"Our sign company partners are central to Watchfire's success and to the value we deliver to customers," said Chris Kelm, vice president of on premise sales at Watchfire, in the release. He said the awards recognize the craftsmanship dealers bring to projects that help customers communicate more effectively.
The release does not disclose judging criteria, the number of entries submitted, or any prize details beyond recognition. For sign dealers and integrators, the awards serve mainly as a showcase of what's possible with Watchfire's EMC hardware when paired with custom architectural design, rather than an announcement of new products or technology.
The announcement in full
Reproduced from Digital Signage Today for reference. Digital Signage Magazine did not write the text below.
Signworks has been awarded the grand prize in Watchfire's 12th annual LED Sign Awards for its installation at Riverview Health Arena in Indiana.
The awards celebrate the achievements of dealer partners who excel in creating high-impact sign solutions that incorporate digital message centers, according to a press release. This year's competition featured one grand prize winner and 11 gold winners.
The Signworks project features a 21 foot by 4 inches x 33 foot and 16mm Watchfire electronic message center integrated into a large architectural pylon along the I-69 corridor.
"We designed the EMC to be integrated into the overall architectural form of the sign, rather than treated as a separate sign element," Andy Chapman, CEO and founder of Signworks, said in the release. "Its placement creates a clear visual hierarchy while giving Riverview Health Arena a high-impact communication platform for event promotions, graphics and real-time messaging. The result is a dynamic gateway feature for Innovation Mile with a strong visual presence along the I-69 corridor."
The installation helps Riverview Health Arena reach thousands of people traveling through the area and build awareness of events and activities at both the arena and throughout Innovation Mile.
"Our sign company partners are central to Watchfire's success and to the value we deliver to customers," Chris Kelm, vice president of on premise sales at Watchfire, said in the release. "These awards recognize the creativity, craftsmanship, and dedication they bring to every project. Together, we're focused on delivering high-quality, innovative sign solutions that help our customers move their businesses forward, communicate more effectively and strengthen connections within the communities they serve."
Horst Signs | Bell & Evans, Fredericksburg, Pa.
Baldus Company | Huntington First Church of the Nazarene, Huntington, Ind.
Empire Graphics | Patuxent Baptist Church, Great Mills, Md.
Holiday Signs | The Highlander Studios, Kilmarnock, Va.
Creative Sign Company | Honeymoon Acres, New Holstein, Wis.
Phillips Signs | Holly Lakes Campsites, Millsboro, Del.
Fritz Signs | Fritz Signs, Spring Arbor, Mich.
Ace Sign Co. | Scheels Sports Park, Springfield, Ill.
City Sign Service, Inc. | National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, Pa.
North Shore Sign | American Legion Post 771, Gurnee, Ill.
North Shore Sign | Lifespring Community Church, Libertyville, Ill.
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