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.

The Rent vs. Buy Debate for Trade Show Exhibits

The Rent vs. Buy Debate for Trade Show Exhibits

If price was the only criteria for a trade show exhibit, then most exhibitors with a full show schedule would probably buy their display. Or would they? Let's explore this topic with three examples showing both rental and purchase prices from Classic Exhibits and Classic Rental Solutions. Example #1 The RE-1081 (rental) and VK-1356 (purchase) are identical backlit displays with a charging...

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Our Video(s) for the Portable Modular Awards Ceremony

Our Video(s) for the Portable Modular Awards Ceremony

The Portable Modular Awards and Find-It Top 40 Presentation will be on Thursday, April 8. Look for an announcement from EXHIBITOR Magazine next week. Classic Exhibits has supported the PMA's from the beginning both as a sponsor and as a participant (with 5 finalists this year). We will also be an advertiser during the virtual Facebook presentation. We gave EXHIBITOR two identical ads but with...

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Gravitee One-Step Modular Showroom Sample Kits @ Amazing Promotional Prices

Now is your chance to order Gravitee One-Step Showroom Sample kits at amazing prices. These kits are perfect for showing how Gravitee assembles without tools or loose parts. The showroom kits come with both an SEG and direct print graphic and corner connectors. Seeing is Believing with Gravitee. The only modular wall system engineered specifically for North American Shows.

A Discussion about Personal Branding and Business Success

Recently, I asked Erica Dougherty, an Account Executive at Exhibits Northwest Seattle, about her strategy of personal branding. From the photos, you can tell it’s distinctive, creative, and memorable. It’s also genuine as you’ll discover in this delightful interview.

Happy New Year! Annual Letter from Kevin Carty

It’s January. The start of the New Year, and I’ve been thinking about our conversations all last year. You see, I know things you might not know because we talk every day. Not you specifically, but you as a Classic Distributor. I usually bite my tongue, but it’s time we chat honestly.

New Faces and New Designs from Classic Rental Solutions

Classic Rental Solutions is celebrating with new faces, new designs, and a New Year promotion. Jessica Marchant has joined our team. We’ve added over 150 new designs to our EDS galleries, and there’s an exciting New Year promotion coming.

Eco-Systems Sustainable Winter Promotion

There’s never been a better time to consider an inline or island from Eco-Systems Sustainable, whether you are an ECO expert, novice, or newbie. For the next two months, Eco-systems will reward you with a $500, $250, or $100 Visa Gift Card.

Greetings from Kevin Carty at EDPA ACCESS

Last week, I attended EDPA Access which was held in beautiful Carlsbad, California at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort. Let me say, as someone who has been a member of EDPA for more than a decade, this was easily one of the Top 3 venues ever. Great layout, great services, beautiful facilities, and much more.

2018 EXHIBITOR Portable Modular Awards (PMA)

EXHIBITOR Magazine announced the finalists for the 2018 Portable Modular Awards this week. They also launched the People’s Choice Voting website where you can vote once a day for your favorite design (regardless of the category). We submitted five entries, and four were accepted as finalists.

Submit Your EXHIBITOR “Plan B” Story for Publication

Plan B is a humorous column about trade show disasters (e.g. missing graphics, last-minute booth alterations, exhibit fires, missing staffers, AWOL tractor-trailers, flooding, and more). More importantly, it’s about how you or your client solved or at least coped with them.

Not Just Any Custom Table Top Display

Recently, a client said, “I need a table top display. Do you have one that maximizes counter top space for samples, literature, and business cards?”
“Like how much space?” we asked. “Well… all of it… if possible.”

Kevin Carty — Video Update October 2017

In this video vlog, Kevin shares his thoughts about fall business, Shared Knowledge University, Classic Rental Systems, and EDPA Access (in late November). It’s been an exciting fall season at Classic Exhibits with increased orders and a HUGE bump in custom builds.

Brainstorming with Clients on a Whiteboard Bistro Table

Purpose1, a Classic Exhibits distributor in Harrisburg, PA, recently purchased an MOD-1432 Bistro Charging Table for their showroom. Although most charging stations are branded with a graphic, they chose a whiteboard laminate. Why? I’ll let Dan Liberatore, the president of Purpose1, explain:

NEW Rental/Purchase Price Feature in Exhibit Design Search

Nearly every day we get the following request, “My client can purchase the VK-1233 for $9208. What would the rental price be?” We’re happy to answer that question… but wouldn’t it be nice if those prices were in Exhibit Design Search? Yes.

That’s a HUGE project! And we’re up to the challenge, but it will take a little time. Effective on all Exhibit Design Search websites, you can now find 72 kits with both rental and purchase prices. You can see them in Visionary Designs, Islands, SEGUE, eSmart, and the Rental Galleries.

EDPA Exhibition and Events Industry Labor Rates Survey

The 2017 EDPA Labor Rate Survey tracks the advance order rates charged to corporate exhibitions in major U.S. and Canadian cities at exhibitions, conventions, and corporate events. The rate sources are general service contractors, show producers, and venue order forms.

Two New Project Management Superstars at Classic Exhibits

We are delighted to announce two additions to Classic Exhibits: Stefania Toscano and Paraskovia Semenov. Both are new project managers. Stefania works for the Classic Rental Solutions team. Paras handles orders, quotes, and customer service for Classic Exhibits.