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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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
9 Ways a Trade Show is Like a Smartphone
You probably don’t consider smartphones and trade shows as having much in common. After all, one is small enough to hold in your hand, and the other is a large attractive display in an exhibit hall. However, you might be surprised at how similar they really are.
How to Convert Trade Show Attendees to Customers
What are the best ways to turn trade show visitors into paying customers? Try the following tips to show off your business in the best light and attract great, loyal customers like bees to honey.
10 Reasons Why I Love Attending Trade Shows
Over the years, I’ve read 100s of articles about why trade shows are important, why exhibit marketing is effective, and why we MUST attend them. They make sense, in the same way that taking vitamins makes sense.
Check the Meter on Your Trade Show Display. It’s Expired!
Several years ago, I wrote “What’s the Expiration Date of Your Trade Show Display?” Has your trade show display reached its expiration date? Here are 20 more clues that time has expired on your exhibit.
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: