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 7 Truths about Renting a Trade Show Exhibit

The 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.”

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What to Look for in an LED Lightbox Manufacturer

What to Look for in an LED Lightbox Manufacturer

Stroll through any airport, mall, event, or trade show and you’ll see hundreds of colorful LED lightboxes in every shape and size. Over the past few years, most have switched to backlit tension fabric SEG graphics. The reasons are obvious. Not only is fabric more durable than direct print graphics, but it’s also cheaper to ship and easier to maintain. And depending on the print process, the colors are vibrant and the details nearly photographic. 

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Custom Charging Station with Programmable RGB Lights

Custom Charging Stations with Programmable RGB LED lights. This bistro-style table includes (8) USB ports, two electrical outlets, and perimeter LED lights. Note the graphic branding on the counter top.

This is a custom variation of the MOD-1432 Bistro Charging Station.

Design Monday — 560 Weeks and Counting

It’s been 10+ years, starting with April 18, 2005. This week represents the 560th weekly Design Monday with over 1300 individual designs. During that time, we missed a week here and there — usually on a holiday — but only 3-4 at most.

EXHIBITOR People’s Choice Voting

Three years ago when EXHIBITOR announced the Portable/Modular Awards, we were delighted. These display categories deserved recognition for design excellence.

Tradeshow Marketing Video Series

Tim Patterson, aka The Tradeshow Guy, has released an excellent video series which highlights chapters in his new book — 14 Proven Steps to Take Your Tradeshow Marketing to the Next Level. The digital version is available free or you can purchase it at Amazon for $19.95.

25 Ways to Cut Costs at Your Next Trade Show

Trade shows often make up about a third of B2B marketing budgets, representing huge costs to wholesale distributors, manufacturers, and other B2B organizations. So how can you save money on your trade show exhibitions without sacrificing marketing impact? In this detailed webinar, trade show expert Mel White will provide 25 great strategies to get more from your trade show budget.

More Changes! Exhibit Design Search

Get a Distributor-branded Exhibit Design Search for your website. Only $300. We do the work. You get the credit. Give Jen, Reid, or Mel a call for more information.

Our “Shared Success” Values

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.

It’s Personal. Our New Custom Exhibit Gallery

We created Custom Exhibit Gallery on the Classic website, not in EDS. It’s very similar to our Retail Gallery and Graphic Inspiration Galleries. All are are meant to show you our full design and production capabilities.

Perfect 10 Promotional Materials

We love it when distributors re-purpose Classic’s marketing materials. This week, Atlantic Exhibits sent an email broadcast promoting Perfect 10 Portable Hybrid Displays. Not only is the P10 on sale thorough 11/27, but it also carries the 100-Day Return Guarantee. It’s the PERFECT One-two punch product as you head into the holiday season.

11 Printable Product Sheets from Classic Exhibits

Once or twice a week, we get a request for a printable handout for Sacagawea, Perfect, 10, Visionary Designs, etc. Most of the time, the distributor wants a simple one-page product summary to leave with their customer or as an email attachment. Rarely does the distributor ask for a large, multi-page brochure.

Is Your Display Supplier an Importer, an Assembler, or a Builder?

Recently, a distributor asked me about the capabilities of X, a trade show display supplier in our industry. We talked about X, which led to a conversation about A, D, and G. I realized after our call that the industry has shifted. The categories or labels we’ve always used to define exhibit suppliers/builders are no longer accurate.

‘ll Never Ask About Your 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. You ask the right questions about design, assembly, and how much it weighs. You even ask to see the warranty.

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.