Up Your Game Newsletter — December 2020
It’s been a tough year for the exhibition and event industry, as well as travel, food, and hospitality.
Safe and Stylish Safety Barriers for Hotels and Banks
Safe and Stylish Safety Barriers custom designed for banks, medical offices, and hotel reception desks can be affordable and elegant.
Katina Rigall Zipay Named EDPA’s Designer of the Year
Katina Rigall Zipay was presented with the EDPA Designer of the Year Award at the EDPA ACCESS Conference in San Antonio on December. 2. The award acknowledges a “designer who works diligently to enhance the professional standards of experiential/exhibit designers, contributes their talents, creativity and personal time to bring innovation to experiential/exhibit design.” As the Creative Director...
2020-2021 Event and Exhibition Associations
The Event and Exhibition industry in North America is represented by an alphabet soup of organizations for show organizers, exhibit builders, or venue managers.
Complete the Crossword Puzzle. Win a $15 Starbucks Gift Card
Below is a crossword puzzle. A Classic Exhibits crossword puzzle with many common trade show terms.
New Galleries in Exhibit Design Search: Video Review
Tim Patterson takes us on an informative tour of the newest galleries in Exhibit Design Search
How Much will Material Handling Change at Post-COVID Trade Shows?
Recently, Fern and Freeman announced new material handling policies
The Classic Exhibits Culture of Shared Success
At Classic Exhibits Inc., we believe that healthy relationships with employees,
suppliers, and distributors (and their customers) depends on Shared Knowledge,
Shared Responsibility, and Shared Innovation. We value honest communication,
transparency, trust, and hard work. We are committed to the Shared Success of all
stakeholders based on their contribution.
Virtual Lunch Interview on Post-COVID Exhibit Design
Our HUGE thanks to Marlys Arnold from the Exhibit Marketers Cafe for the discussion with Mel White on Post-COVID exhibit design
Word Search for Safety Dividers and PPE Solutions
Search for PPE Safety Solutions from Classic Exhibits. Complete the word search and send your answer to mel@classicexhibits.com by November 7 for a chance to win a $15 Starbucks Gift Card. For a full range of Safety Divider Solutions, CLICK HERE.
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College Scholarship Deadline — EDPA Foundation
As many of you know, I am on the EDPA Scholarship Foundation Committee. The Exhibit and Designers Association Foundation offers college scholarships to member families who apply and qualify. It’s a great opportunity for the Association to give back to its members and a benefit to you.
SEGD (Society for Experiential Graphic Designers) Conference Notes
Several Classic employees attended the SEGD “Experience Seattle” Conference from June 9-11. It was well-attended by top professionals in the Experiential Graphic Design community and beyond, well-stocked with expert presenters, and well-staffed with knowledgeable personnel.
The Magical Middle of Trade Show Displays
Many exhibit houses and distributors devote nearly all their resources to low budget exhibitors (under $3000) or multi-national corporations. There’s nothing wrong with this approach, but it ignores the true sweet spot in our industry – The Middle.
These customers want value, quality, and most importantly, personalization in design and accessories. They
appreciate value-added resources such as consultation, reusable packaging, detailed setup instructions, and show services.
New This Summer at Classic Exhibits
Summer 2016 wouldn’t be “Classic” without new products and promotions. See all the new charging station options, including a 60″ conference table. The On the Move Portable Furniture line now includes curve, comfortable backs for white and black chairs. There’s two new Rental Furniture Galleries including soft seating, chairs, and bistro tables. Finally, you can’t go wrong with specials on 12 rental designs.
Trade Show Exhibit Systems by Pat Friedlander
When I was new to this industry, I heard the word “Octanorm” bandied about as if it were the last ditch attempt for stingy exhibitors There was no design consideration — just how many panels and how many uprights.
The 100-Day “Love It”| A Classic Exhibits Exclusive
There’s not much you can’t return or exchange these days… except a trade show display. Not anymore. Classic Exhibits announces the only 100-Day “Love It” Guarantee in the exhibit industry. Within the first 100 days after receiving your Sacagawea, Perfect 10/20, Quadro, or Quadro FGS Display, you can return it for a refund if you’re not completely satisfied (minus graphics and shipping).
Meet Kim DiStefano, Classic Exhibits Designer
We’ve been talking with Kim DiStefano, an exhibit designer, for awhile. Kim lives a few miles from our shop in Milwaukie, OR. Enticing her to join us has taken some time and persuasion. Not that she didn’t like us, but as a contract designer with a family, she was uncertain if she wanted to work in an office. Well, eventually Kevin convinced her, wore her down, or she changed her mind. Probably a little of all three.
Classic Exhibits — Summer Gift Card Promotion
Earn a $25 Nike Gift Card for every $1000 in wholesale orders. Eligible on all Classic Exhibits inlines from May 26 thru July 31. Get your game on this summer with Nike gear compliments of Classic. Some restrictions apply. See details.
Kevin, Why Have You Worked at Classic So Long? “C”ing is Believing!
July will mark my 22nd year at Classic. I often hear, “Wow, that is a long time by today’s standards to be with the same company.” Or I am asked, “What is it that keeps you there for so long?” The answer is easy.
The Trade Show Show Podcasts
Last month, I had the good fortune of meeting Todd Youngblood while attending the E2MA Red Diamond Congress (RDC) in Orlando. Todd runs The Trade Show Show, a podcast series about the exhibit industry. The RDC was fertile ground for Todd, since the event attracts trade show managers, suppliers, show organizers, builders, exhibitor-appointed contractors, etc. Basically, anyone with a vested/financial interest in the trade show biz.
Price Changes in Exhibit Design Search
It’s May… and there doesn’t appear to be any slowdown in designs, quotes, and orders. So thanks as always.
Effective today, you will see modest price changes in EDS. Yes, the dreaded price increase. No one likes them, but they are a reality. I have taken a deep dive the past two months reviewing our pricing and costing.
Design Monday and Mike Swartout
If you read Kevin’s moving tribute to Mike Swartout last week, you know how much he meant to the Classic Family. What you may not know is how much he sweated over Design Monday.
Farewell to Our Dear Friend Mike
Saturday was a tremendously sad day in our internal and external family. Sadly we lost our beloved Design Director Mike Swartout this weekend.
Email Apocalypse — The Joys of Technology
As a Classic Distributor, you know — or can probably guess — that the past two weeks have been nothing close to Bunnies and Bounce-houses around here. Why? Because our entire computer server/network came to a loud crash around April Fools Day.
Seth Godin’s Perfection vs. Good Enough
Over the years, we’ve learned that it’s OK to “release” if you’ve done your best under the circumstances. The mistake is not listening to feedback and making adjustments. And honestly, that can be so much harder for some people and organizations because then it’s no longer about perfection. It’s about ego.