Why Are Trade Shows Important for Business Growth and Branding
With the rise of online meetings and ecommerce, business experts have predicted the death of trade shows and live events for 40 years. Yet, the benefits of trade shows and events have never been more important for businesses. There were over 13,000 separate events in North America in 2025 alone.
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?
Trade Show Exhibits — Outsource vs In-House Production
At Classic Exhibits, we’ve learned a few things over the past 30 years. For one, everyone wants to be in control. In our business that means the design, project management, construction, staging, and delivery of their client’s display.
People’s Almanac of Trade Show Knowledge
We all love working with an informed client about trade shows and trade show marketing. They ask our advice. We give it. Sometimes we state facts. Sometimes we offer opinions. And sometimes, we should send them to an expert.
Westeros and Trade Shows: Meet Your Game of Thrones Characters as Exhibitors
Trade show exhibitors and Game of Throne characters have a lot in common. See which character you resemble as an exhibitor in this entertaining blog post. So, sit back and contemplate who you are, or rather, who you want to be and see if this makes sense — unlike the ending to GoT.
10 Questions about Trade Show Labor
On May 21, 2024, Jim Wurm from the Exhibitor Appointed Contractor Association (EACA) presented a webinar on the State of the Labor Industry particularly as it relates to the production of trade shows and events. Jim was joined by Bill Muller from Nth Degree.
Share, Rent, or Buy — Your Next Trade Show Display
As a parent, you teach your children to share — share their toys, their candy, their whatever.
At Classic, we’ve seen this rental trend since 2008. At first, it was driven by necessity. Exhibitors were committed to a show and/or committed to trade show marketing and their budgets were slashed. Now, however, that trend has less to do with slashed budgets and more to do with personalization, capacity, ownership, storage, and design.
Rental Exhibits Q&A: 12 Questions about Renting a Trade Show Display
Rental exhibits have become as popular as leasing a car. It’s no longer just an economic consideration. It’s also about design flexibility and convenience, such as no storage.
Life as a Traveling Sales Representative
Snake Oil Salesman or Snake Charmer. The traveling salesman has always had slightly negative, slightly shady reputation. If you’ve ever seen The Music Man, particularly the opening scene on train, you’ll know what I mean. I would like to think business has changed from the days of the “snake oil salesman” to what we now refer to as a “manufacturer’s rep.
29 Ways to Cut Your Trade Show Costs
Many exhibitors are guilty of two self-inflicted mistakes when it comes to trade shows. They don’t have a comprehensive sales and marketing strategy, and they don’t manage their trade show costs before, during, and after the event. Let’s change that.
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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.
Your 7 Truths about Renting a Trade Show Exhibit
Trade Show exhibit rentals are growing. Rapidly. And exhibit companies are trying to position themselves based on their individual strengths. Some rental-only exhibit companies are touting renting as the only solution. They say, “Why buy when you can rent? No more storage fees. You can change the display for every show. The cost is less.”
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 to Consider Before Buying a Portable Modular Trade Show Display
Attend any recent trade show and you’ll see many, many portable modular displays. They have gone from the exception to the rule in many show halls over the past two or three years. Visually, the reason is obvious.
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.
Comparing Modular Wall Systems — Timed Assembly Video
If you have assembled a Gravitee One-Step Exhibit (either as a purchase or a rental), you know it’s unlike any other wall system. There are no loose connectors. Just two corners (one adjustable).
Trade Show Display Videos on YouTube
Trade Show Display Videos. For years, Classic Exhibits has posted trade show display videos on YouTube. It just makes sense. After all, we’re in a visual advertising medium so why not take advantage of videos.
How Three Exhibit Companies Changed Their Businesses
These three exhibit owners made the gutsy decision to change their business model. It wasn’t an easy decision but they chose to see a problem as an opportunity.
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.
What are Silicone Edge Graphics (SEG)?
You may have noticed something new at trade shows and events. Traditional fabric graphics are frequently being replaced by Silicone Edge Graphics (SEG). So what is SEG and what are the benefits?
What is SEG (Silicone Edge Graphics)?
Silicone Edge Graphic (SEG)
Silicone Edge Graphic (SEG)
SEG is a high-resolution dye-sublimated fabric graphic finished with a thin silicone strip (or welt/gasket). The silicone strip is sewn directly to the edge of the graphic, and the strip is then inserted into a frame with a recessed groove.
What’s the Expiration Date of Your Trade Show Display? 20 Clues.
Trade show displays, like yogurt and milk, have expiration dates. While it may not be printed on the box, it’s not hard to spot one that’s starting to spoil. Here are 20 Clues that it’s time to buy a new exhibit.
What “Budget Portable Displays” Really Means
Buying a budget portable via the Internet is like placing $3000 on 26 Black at the roulette table. You might win… but the odds are not in your favor