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.

Women In Exhibitions at EXHIBITORLIVE 2018

Women In Exhibitions at EXHIBITORLIVE 2018

Calling all Women In Exhibitions! This year, we’re planning two ways to make our 2018 EXHIBITORLIVE show experience more accessible and meaningful than ever before. You will not want to miss out on these opportunities to discuss challenges and success strategies, network with peers, and make new contacts you can count on.

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Can You Name (At Least) Three Things Wrong with This Ad?

Can You Name (At Least) Three Things Wrong with This Ad?

This email blast hit my mailbox today from AboveAll Advertising. Frankly, I don’t know much about them, but they are promoting a charging tower, and for purely selfish reasons, I wanted to know more about their charging solutions. However, everything about this ad annoyed me. And I mean everything. Well, to be fair, they did know the difference between “a while” and “awhile” (which can be tricky) but didn’t realize that the phrase requires a preposition — “for a while.”

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Gravitee One-Step Modular Showroom Sample Kits @ Amazing Promotional Prices

Gravitee One-Step Modular Showroom Sample Kits @ Amazing Promotional Prices

Now is your chance to order Gravitee One-Step Showroom Sample kits at amazing prices. These kits are perfect for showing how Gravitee assembles without tools or loose parts. The showroom kits come with both an SEG and direct print graphic and corner connectors. Seeing is Believing with Gravitee. The only modular wall system engineered specifically for North American Shows.

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2018 EXHIBITOR Portable Modular Awards (PMA)

2018 EXHIBITOR Portable Modular Awards (PMA)

EXHIBITOR Magazine announced the finalists for the 2018 Portable Modular Awards this week. They also launched the People’s Choice Voting website where you can vote once a day for your favorite design (regardless of the category). We submitted five entries, and four were accepted as finalists.

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EDPA ACCESS 2013 Review: Word on the Street — December 2nd thru December 6th

Marco Island was the setting and what an incredible setting it was. It was 20 degrees in Oregon all week, windy and crisp. But in Marco, it was in the mid-80’s and sunny. Not that I got to experience much of the sun. We had a jam-packed week of content rich sessions and enjoyable networking.

Prior to the ACCESS event, as a member of the EDPA Board of Directors, I participated in a motivating Board Meeting with my fellow Board Members.

I Get Questions: Word on the Street — November 25th thru November 29th

Next week, I am off to Marco Island, FL for the Annual EDPA ACCESS meeting. Something I look forward to every year as a proud sponsor and member of the Board of Directors.

Since I will not be seeing some of you there, I thought I would use this week’s blog as an opportunity to practice my elevator pitches to the usual (and unusual) questions that I’m often asked.

Healthcare and an Exhibit House: Word on the Street — November 11th thru November 15th

The issue of Healthcare Reform affects us all personally and professionally. At Classic, we have attempted to stay on top of it in anticipation of the changes to our employees. Mel White, Beth Senter, and I have had quarterly review meetings with our insurance broker since Q4 2012. And each meeting/review comes with a new list of information, changes, and uncertainties.

Customized Tablet Stand with Disability Access (Video)

Recently, a Classic Exhibits Distributor asked us to customize the MOD-1353 iPad Stand for their client. Four modifications were requested: Disability Access, Lockable Clamshell for Galaxy Tab 3 Tablet, Tilt, and Secure Electrical Box. See the short video to see the final result.

Minus the Fall: Word on the Street — October 21st thru October 25th

As we roll into the last week of October, I wanted to update you on Classic Exhibits and its Family of Companies. We are headed into November with more momentum than ever. After a summer that was, well let’s be honest, unpredictable at best, the September and October numbers have been very encouraging. Thanks to you!

We Need Your Help with a Testimonial

The EDDIE Award is an award judged solely on the self-promotion of your company not on the promotion of a client.

Here’s where you can help. We plan to submit Exhibit Design Search (EDS) for the award. We’ve written the submission but would like to enhance it with testimonials — your testimonials.

Exhibit Designs that Sell — Every. Single. Time.

I am often asked to design custom booths, and the #1 requirement I hear is — “Make a design that will SELL!” So I’d like to share with you one tip that is tried and true, that has had a nearly 100% success rate for turning a job prospect into a sale.

Four Part Interview with Mel White, Classic Exhibits Inc.

Here’s a shocker friends. I’m on a modeling website . . . and no money was exchanged. Margaret Colebeck from Vantage Advertising conducted an interview with me about displays, design trends and the exhibit industry which they posted on their blog. I’m usually not “chatty” (quit laughing Kevin), but this time I made an exception. They had to post it in four installments.

No Mountain is Too High . . . Well Maybe One: Word on the Street — September 30th thru October 4th

Welcome to the month of October. Yep, that’s right. Three quarters have come and gone in 2013. It’s truly hard to believe. But we certainly ended with a bang. And I hope the same is true for you.

Classic Exhibits had its largest September EVER! So THANK YOU for your continued confidence and loyalty. We certainly appreciate it!

September came to a close with two events: Shared Knowledge University (Fall 2013 session) and The Club 815 Gran Fondo Fundraising Bike Ride.

What are People Buying?: Word on the Street — September 16th thru September 20th

At least five times a day, I am asked by distributors: “So what are you seeing in exhibit design? What are people buying?” I love when I am asked that question. It’s usually an indication that we’re all busy.

So what’s selling? . . . Portable and custom hybrids with tension fabric graphics continue to drive the ship, but the biggest sales superstar right now – – iPad Stands!

The Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic. It Matters!

One benefit of blogging is having the luxury to promote something special to me and to our industry — The Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic (https://www.rsmgc.org/).

For most folks in our industry, “The Randy” is as recognizable as Cher, Madonna, or Bono. The Randy is an annual charitable golf tournament held in the Atlanta area. For those unfamiliar with Randy Smith, he was tragically taken from us several years ago. The first Classic was to raise money to help the Smith family with the financial burden they experienced. Since then, the mission has expand.