Trade Show Tales Blog

Trade Show Tales is your comprehensive guide to informative articles about trade show marketing, exhibit industry news, promotions, and updates on Classic Exhibits. 

For specific topics, use the Search Tool in the blog or visit the Trade Show and Event Tips in Exhibit Design Search.

Do You Remember Your First Trade Show?

Do You Remember Your First Trade Show?

It’s human nature. We ignore the familiar. After a while, the pile of messy papers doesn’t exist and the big coffee stain is invisible. Then, someone comments on it, and we can’t not look at it. Until it disappears — again.

Trade show exhibits are no different and maybe even worse. Do you remember your first show with a brand new display?

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Before Buying Your Next Trade Show Display

Before Buying Your Next Trade Show Display

It’s time to buy a trade show display. Unlike lawn mowers, cameras, or smartphones, there’s no Consumer Reports and your experience is limited. So, you do your research on the web, and if you are smart, you consult with a trade show exhibit professional. However, there are questions you won’t ask. How do I know? Because no exhibit manager has ever asked me these questions… and they should.

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Trade Show Booth Layout: Ideas That Boost Traffic

Trade Show Booth Layout: Ideas That Boost Traffic

Let’s start by clarifying the difference between a trade show booth layout and booth regulations. The former is all about design. The latter is about the specific trade show guidelines. For example, this page summaries the most common trade show regulations in North America, which differ from trade show regulations in Europe and Asia. Knowing them, even on a basic level, prevents being “asked”...

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Trade Show Product Displays Including Stands, Shelves, & Setup Ideas

Trade Show Product Displays Including Stands, Shelves, & Setup Ideas

For companies with physical products, the ability for clients to see, touch, taste, or smell their products is crucial to their trade show success. For them, “show and tell” isn’t standing in front of a monitor. It’s handing the product to an attendee, inviting them to participate in a demo, and giving them the opportunity to test it right then and there.

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Island Booth Solutions for 360° Trade Show Impact

Island Booth Solutions for 360° Trade Show Impact

At most trade shows, island booths are the rock stars, attracting more foot traffic than inlines. Thankfully, it’s possible to mingle with the “stars” without blowing your marketing budget. In this article, we’ll review the basics of an island booth, the advantages, island design trends, and showcase affordable examples of island booths, both for purchase and to rent. 

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Popular Home Trade Shows (& Tips to Stand Out!)

At some point, you have probably attended a local home improvement show where landscapers, contractors, interior designers, and other companies showcase their products and services. Now, imagine these trade shows at a 10x or 20X scale in Las Vegas, Orlando, or Chicago.

Trade Show Booth Selection. An Alternate Approach.

EXHIBITOR Magazine recently published “Space Case,” an informative article about selecting floor space at a trade show. They asked nine exhibit industry experts to share their booth selection strategy based on a show floor plan. See the image above for their selections.

The 40 ft. Inline Exhibit Challenge

Does the size of your exhibit matter? Yes, but perhaps not in the way you think. Let’s say you budgeted for 400 sq. ft., which typically translates into a 20 20 island exhibit. Islands have advantages. They’re usually centrally located. They are surrounded by four aisles.

Download “Rent or Buy” Unbranded Literature

This week, you can download Rent or Buy unbranded literature. Just add your company branding, then email it to your clients or post it on social media. As you know, Rent or Buy is a hot topic with exhibitors.

8 Trade Show Sustainability Solutions for Exhibitors

Sustainability and trade shows have never been best friends. For years, trade shows and exhibitions have been significant contributors to landfills, especially in parts of the world where “build and burn” was common. Recently, trade show sustainability has gone to the front of the line with industry associations like EDPA and ESCA advocating for significant changes in trade show practices.  

Image Resolution Calculator

Explaining graphic file requirements to a client with limited graphic experience is like explaining the earth’s curvature to a flat earther.

Saying the “S” Word Outloud (Sustainability)

It’s nearly 2025, and people still cover their ears and sing La, La, La whenever the “S” word is mentioned (sustainability). And yet, the S word is the secret weapon for many Classic Distributors. These Distributors know that many companies have S-word initiatives.

33 Big Trade Shows in North America (2025)

November is a BIG trade show month (not to mention a BIG election happening too). Here are 10 gems that you might wanna have on your radar before diving into to Aunt Ruth’s green jello and carrot salad. Enjoy!

Summit Graphics PDX — Video Walking Tour

Summit Graphics PDX is not only the print provider for Classic Exhibits projects, but they also work with Classic Distributors and Summit clients throughout the Pacific Northwest.