An Exhibit Design Search Video by the TradeshowGuy
Tim Patterson at TradeshowGuy Exhibits created an EDS tutorial video which he posted on YouTube. He will use it as a sales and marketing resource for existing and potential clients, but just having it on YouTube will also increase the exposure of his company. It’s a straight-forward video and very effective. See for yourself.
Comparing “A La Carte” vs “As Shown” Online Prices for Trade Show Displays
Many online display websites are masters at enticing buyers with crazy low prices, which on further investigation are not quite as “cheap” as they seem. Then, there’s quality, warranty, and customer service questions to consider as well.
Trade Show Games: The 5 Elements of Success
Trade show games are a fun way to get more traffic into your trade show booth. They add an element of play, competition, and excitement that wakes up attendees dulled by trudging down countless trade show aisles. To make your trade show games a success, be sure to follow these 5 Elements of Success:
‘s 2018!
You know the rules: #1. Never eat or drink in your trade show booth and #2. Don’t stare at your cellphone while on the show floor. It makes sense, mostly. But it’s 2018, Dude. There’s gotta be a middle ground
| Introduces an Updated Show Service Pricing Model
Recently, The Trade Show News Network published, NAB Show Eases Exhibitor Pain Points with NAB Show Cares by Lisa Plummer Savas. Let’s review those changes because they are a huge step in the right direction for our industry.
Updated Design Policies — Effective January 2019
Effective January 2019, we will charge for creative exhibit design based on the schedule below. The procedure is meant to be simple and straightforward with a reasonable upfront charge for both purchase and rental designs.
Photos of Recent LED Fabric Lightboxes
2018 is “The Unofficial Year of Lightboxes.” Probably 65% of the exhibits we ship have LED lights.
An Interview with Jim Shelman, GM of Classic Rental Solutions
Every week, Tim Patterson, aka Tradeshow Guy, conducts an interview on his Monday Morning Coffee video/audio broadcast. This week Tim interviewed our own Jim Shelman, the GM of Classic Rental Solutions.
Visual Guide to Trade Show Success Infographic
I’m a sucker for a well-designed, informative Infographic, which is why the “Visual Guide to Trade Show Success” from US Event Management caught my attention.
Introducing the Gravitee One-Step Modular Meeting Pods
Introducing the Gravitee Modular Meeting Pods. The Pods come in three configurations: oval, square/rectangle, and trapezoid. Attaching graphics, either direct print or fabric, is a snap and assembly requires neither tools or loose parts.
Recent Posts
Mid-Year Review: Word on the Street — July 13th thru July 17th
I am writing this a few weeks late, but in fairness, there’s a lot going on at Classic Exhibits.
It’s been an exciting 2015, thanks to you, our loyal and creative distributors. Orders have been ALL ACROSS THE BOARD. So let’s review the highlights, identify some trends, and share a few stories.
The year started with a bang. January set the tone after a busy late December. It was clear we were going to be in for a wild ride filled with growth, unique challenges, and a mixture of tradeshow, event, retail, and permanent install projects.
Under $3K to $25K Display Brochures
I’m getting old, but not too old to learn from my mistakes. Over the past year, I’ve largely ignored printed sales collateral as a tool for Classic Distributors. That’s not to say we haven’t created high quality PDF’s (such as Tablet Stands and OTM Neo and Express Furniture), but they have been mostly promotional sheets, not product line sheets. My feeling was — It’s all online on the Classic website or in Exhibit Design Search.
New Charging Stations — Q&A Video with Kevin and Mel
When we introduced our newest Charging Stations at EXHIBITORLIVE, we expected them to do well. Our definition of “well” should probably change to “Yowsa!” They’ve been a big hit. As with any new product, there are questions so Kevin and Mel sat down for a casual Q&A video about the charging stations.
‘t Know
We recently introduced a 100-Day Money Back Guarantee on the Sacagawea Portable Hybrid System. No one in our industry has offered a money back guarantee before. It’s a first and in our opinion long overdue. As you can imagine, we’ve had a few distributors ask us about the logic behind this. So here goes.
Mi Design NOT Su Design: Word on the Street — June 22nd thru June 26th
Protecting your Intellectual Property is nothing new (IP). Companies of all sizes are faced with companies (and governments) stealing their designs and ideas. Some folks view it as a way of doing business — leveraging the work of others for their own professional gain or sales. I once attended a business symposium, and the featured speaker of a Fortune 1000 company blatantly said his company doesn’t invest in R&D. They borrow the work of others. It was shocking to hear.
Alaskan Cruise Photos
Several weeks ago, Cynthia Geddis, a Project Manager in our Customer Service Department, took a seven-day Alaskan cruise from Seattle on the Princess Line with her husband. For those who have never been on an Alaskan cruise, we thought you might enjoy seeing photos.
Yes, it’s a bit like you would would expect — eagles, glaciers, fiords, icebergs, totem poles, etc — but her photos take the expected and make them unexpected. Excellent shots of Mendenhall Glacier, Ketchikan, Skagway, shy whales, and some freaky big crabs. Our thanks to Cynthia for sharing these with us.
A BRILLIANT Video about the Trade Show Service Desk. Very Funny!
They Did It Again!
Another spectacular video from the folks at TS Crew. Pass it along. It should seriously go viral. That’s how good it is. Well done guys and gals. I’m already sharpening my pencil for you to win an Eddie Award for outstanding marketing at EDPA in November. “Costman” — What a hoot!!!!
Sacagawea 100-Day Guarantee (Seriously!)
Effective immediately, Sacagawea, our most popular portable hybrid display, comes with a 100-Day Guarantee. Yes, that’s our promise. “You’ll Love It — Or We’ll Take It Back.” Fill it with gas, rev the engine, and drive it around the block a couple of times at a trade show. There’s never been a “Love It” return policy for a tradeshow display… until now.
Introducing the NEW Unbranded Exhibit Design Search
Most Classic Exhibits distributors have the branded version of Exhibit Design Search (EDS), but some tap into our unbranded EDS websites. Many of you may be unfamiliar with the unbranded versions. These sites have the same features as your branded EDS site except the communication tools — Contact Us, Share, and Request a Design — point to Classic Exhibits. Why? Because they have to point somewhere.
Last week, the two Unbranded Versions were updated with larger images, a revised menu, and some interesting animations. To see the two versions — one with and one without prices — click on the links below.
‘s? Mullets, Trapper Keepers, Pagers, and Rentals
Recently, what I thought would be a simple, straight-forward conversation left me scratching my head. I was meeting with exhibit industry colleagues, and the topic turned to rentals. Admittedly, rentals shouldn’t be puzzling. Rentals have exploded at a rate 3 to 4 times faster than exhibit purchases since the recession. It’s a hot topic. What surprised me was the perception and the language used to define the exhibit rental landscape.
You would think the sales numbers would prompt a new approach. Yet, many industry professionals are still using assumptions that are — frankly — antiquated. What do I mean by that? Allow me to share the conversation.
Top 50 Trends Affecting Trade Shows and Events in 2015
GES published their 2015 Trend Tracker Report where they list the Top 50 Trends in trade shows and events. The trends are divided into four categories: Budgeting and Planning, Marketing, Technology, and Design. It’s short — only six pages if you exclude the GES ad — and it’s worth sharing.
SKU-Tastic!: Word on the Street — May 18th-May 22nd
Last week was not your normal May at Classic Exhibits. Why?
We held our most recent edition of Shared Knowledge University (SKU), Classic’s bi-annual distributor training session.
This SKU was so great that my friend Dave Brown from Optima coined the term “SKU-Tastic!” I wholeheartedly agree.
Join Us @ 2015 Red Diamond Congress
You are cordially invited to the 2015 Red Diamond Congress from July 20-22 in Quincy, MA. The RDC provides education, information, and networking opportunities for Exhibit and Event Marketers Association members and industry colleagues. It also explores new models, new methods, and new practices for the entire community of exhibit and event industry professionals.
Classic Exhibits is proud to be an official sponsor of the Red Diamond Congress. Should you have any questions, please contact Jim Wurm at E2MA (jimwurm@e2ma.org) or feel free to email or call me, Mel White, at Classic Exhibits. See you there!
‘s Waldo at the Trade Show!
Where’s Waldo at a Trade Show? @Pink Unicorn Comics? Nope. @Petting Zoo? Nope. @Zombie Killing Workshop? Perhaps.
| Inline Exhibit GiftCard Promotion
Earn GiftCards this summer from Classic Exhibits. The Gimme the GiftCard promotion includes all inline exhibits sold between May 18 and July 31. Classic Distributors earn $25 for every $1000 wholesale on inline orders. Choose from hundreds of retailers at www.giftcardmall.com. See details for an exclusions, such as rentals.