FASTSIGNS International, Inc. located in Carrollton, Texas has become a Sustaining Corporate Affiliate of the Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications, Inc. Ms. Catherine Monson, CEO & President of the company stated that, “Graphic communications is an exciting field that continues to evolve and grow. We want to ensure that the future generations are provided with the best possible knowledge and resources to be competitive and innovative. The FASTSIGNS network and many others will benefit from investing in these potential pools of talent that will someday lead our companies.”

FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the largest sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 575 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS® centers in nine countries including the US, Canada, England, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Grand Cayman, Mexico and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®).

FASTSIGNS consultants provide comprehensive visual marketing solutions and help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, sell more products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points including décor, events, wearables and marketing materials.

In 2005, the ACCGC Board of Directors established the Sustaining Corporate Affiliate program. This program gives graphic communications-related companies the opportunity to become a Sustaining Corporate Affiliate (SCA) of the council. Sustaining Corporate Affiliates contribute to the improvement of collegiate academic graphic communications programs and help insure that there will be a continuous supply of qualified graduates and employees for the industry.

In addition to FASTSIGNS International, Inc., eleven other companies and corporations have become ACCGC Sustaining Corporate Affiliates. They are Bell and Howell, LLC; Digital Enterprise Education and Research (DEER) Foundation; Eastman Kodak Company; Fuji Graphic Systems, Inc.; Heidelberg USA; INX International Ink Co.; KBA North America Inc.; Leo Burnett USA, Inc.; manroland Inc.; Quad/Graphics, Inc.; and Xerox Corporation.

The multiple benefits of a company/corporation becoming an ACCGC Sustaining Corporate Affiliate are listed as follows:

1. Helping to improve the quality of associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degree programs in graphic communications at colleges and universities throughout the USA and beyond.
2. Providing additional credibility for associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degree programs in the eyes of industry, prospective students, and graduates of accredited programs.
3. Receiving public and industry recognition for companies/corporations in support of graphic communications education.
4. Facilitating the opportunity for affiliated companies/corporations to have representation on the ACCGC Board of Directors (currently, four Sustaining Corporate Affiliate companies are represented on the ACCGC Board), and
5. Making it possible to have direct access to graphic communications graduates for employment purposes from the ACCGC accredited colleges and universities.

For additional information about the Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications, Inc., please view the ACCGC website at: www.accgc.org