And Away We Go!: Word on the Street — July 30th thru August 3

Trade Show Blog

And Away We Go

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

August is finally here . . . and depending on your perspective, that’s either a good thing or something to regret.

From a personal perspective, I am like, “Yikes! How did we get to August so quickly?” But from a business standpoint, I am breathing a sigh of relief. Why? Because July is behind us!

July is always a down month, even a good July like this year. If I wear my sales hat, I wish July had been even stronger. That said and before our PM’s and Designers shoot me, July was NUTS for them. Quoting seems to be higher than ever actually, which means Design Requests are up big time as well. And with respect to our designers, WOW, the properties have gotten much bigger for the upcoming fall show season. We are headed into what looks like an Island Paradise this August, September and October. Sans the margarita maker and white sandy beaches.

New Products, BBQ, Partnerships, and Fundraiser

MOD-1334 iPad Kiosk

August also means that new products are ready for release. For example, in Design Monday this week we are showcasing three new portable iPad Kiosks. The new iPad Kiosks, called the Port\Land Designs, feature our exclusive Swivel Stop solution. The Swivel Stop permits the iPads to swivel between the Portrait and Landscape mode without tools (Port to Land — Get it!). OK, maybe the name is a little cheesy since we’re based in Portland, but it’s ours and we’re keeping it.

August also means the Company BBQ. It’s a personal and professional highlight for us at Classic, Exhibits NW and ClassicMODUL. It’s on Friday, August 17. Just in case you have a hard time reaching us around lunch time, it’s because we are napping after consuming an insane number of hamburgers, hot dogs, and desserts.

My challenge to you is to focus on our partnerships and relationships — distributors, manufacturers and vendors. When the trade show industry spikes over the next three months, we get hectic and chaotic to varying degrees. Lean on one another from a partnership perspective and with a sense of understanding that we are all on this roller coaster ride together. I know that’s sort of “fluffy and Polly-anna” but it is true. When we all ramp back up for the busy season, we can’t forget that we rely on one other for our Shared Success.

Lastly, August means that Dave Brown, Joel Roy, Tony Ricci, Betsy Ricci, Charlie Shivel, Mel White, Greg Garrett and myself are only seven weeks away from our fundraiser ride for Mike Swartout. To all of you that have already donated, thanks so very much. It has been nothing short of amazing and touching to receive your support — financially and emotionally. For those of you who have not sponsored Club 815 Powered by The EDPA Foundation, here is a link to our webpage. And below that is a link to a recent posting on the EDPA Foundation website about our band of idiots. Every little bit helps:  $25, $50, $100.

Club 815 Fundraiser: https://ssl.charityweb.net/echelongranfondo/hood_river/club815poweredbytheedpafoundation.htm

EDPA Foundation Story: https://www.edpa.com/foundation/

Be well and have a great week ahead.

–Kevin Carty
https://twitter.com/kevin_carty
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a

 

 

 

Filter by Category

Filter by Year

Recent Posts

Best & Biggest Convention Centers in the US for Trade Shows

What are the biggest and best convention centers in the United States? And does overall size and location matter when it comes to a convention center? Unless you’re a trade show nerd (like me), you’ve probably never wondered if the Las Vegas Convention Center is bigger than McCormick Place in Chicago. Or if the Orange County Convention Center is in FL or CA?

10 Online Tools for Classic Exhibits Distributors

At a recent Shared Knowledge University, we reviewed ten online tools available to all Classic Exhibits Distributors. The attendees told us that these tools are invaluable to their sales, marketing, and customer service teams and are unique within the exhibit industry. 

Why Small Businesses Fail to Grow by Jay Goltz

Excerpt from the “Art of Running a Small Business.” Many, if not most, Classic Exhibits distributors fall into the small business classification as defined by the Small Business Administration. Small businesses have challenges that larger businesses do not.

Top 12 Trade Show Bad Habits

All animals, humans included, are creatures of habit. We learn how to survive, then follow those routines day after day. Trade shows are no different. Exhibitors and attendees find their safe space and get comfortable: same shows, same people, same message.

Your Trade Show Marketing in 2026

When it comes to trade shows, many exhibitors don’t have a detailed plan on how to market their company. They purchase a display, which they think is the key to a successful show. Your exhibit may be the star of the show but it’s only one element in a comprehensive strategy.

IMEX America Hosted Buyer Lounge (Condensed Version)

IMEX America 2025 brought together 17,633 participants, including more than 6,000 buyers from 75 countries, reinforcing the event’s position as a high-value marketplace for the global meetings industry. At the center of this ecosystem was the CORT Events’ Hosted Buyer Lounge, designed as a dedicated environment.

40 Weird Things You Do @ Trade Shows

Trade shows can be a strange world whether you are an exhibitor, attendee, or an industry insider. While many behaviors might seem normal to you as a member of the trade show community, others are downright bizarre to those who rarely set foot in a trade show hall.

Why Are Companies So Bad at Trade Show Marketing?

Some companiees will hint at it. Then there are the ones who are honest. They simply don’t understand trade show marketing. That’s not surprising. It’s rarely taught on the undergraduate or graduate level. At best, it’s mentioned in passing in a marketing textbook.

10 Things Zombies Can Teach Us About Tradeshow Marketing

Single-minded Focus. You may not appreciate their all-consuming desire to eat your flesh, but they are committed to the task. They let nothing get in their way, except an ax to the brain. Your next trade show will be wildly successful, if you make it a priority, not an afterthought.

10 Things To Ask When Renting Trade Show Furniture

Selecting trade show rental furniture is a critical step in your exhibit planning timeline and it should happen well before your move-in. Ideally, you’re confirming your exhibition rental furniture several weeks (if not months) in advance.

Exhibit Design Mistakes Most Companies Don’t Realize They’re Making

What one exhibitor views as an exhibit design mistake another may view as a brilliant strategy. For example, some companies contend that a hanging sign should only include the company’s name and logo. Others would insist that it include what the company does or the problem they solve. To be fair to both… It depends.

The Ultimate Guide to Trade Show Giveaways (2026 Edition)

When used wisely, trade show giveaways are an investment in your business. They serve as silent salespeople, promoting your company long after the trade show or sales event is over. If you are considering adding incentives to your marketing strategy, you are in luck.