| Our New Home Page
The new home page is beautiful, practical, and efficient. Our previous home page was focused on products and resources. The new site adds secondary layers showing our story, capabilities, and values. Anyone who visits Classic, whether for a tour, product preview, or Shared Knowledge University, realizes that the Classic Story is so much deeper than just our 1400 products.
John Zipay Takes an Alaskan Cruise
Recently, I took a much needed vacation from the trade show world and visited southeastern Alaska via a cruise ship.
The Life Cycle of a Portable Hybrid Display
In general, first generation (new) products are introduced with mid-level quality. Meaning, while the materials may be of a higher quality, there are always bugs, features, etc. that lessen the “perceived” value. Those are remedied quickly, and the quality improves. Think first generation smartphones, cars, or footwear.
Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 2010s
The two biggest mistakes regarding trade shows? People not planning ahead of time, and people not following up once they get home. Some people claim trade shows aren’t worth the cost — but if you don’t continue the relationships you start at shows, you haven’t fulfilled the potential of the show. No wonder some people get so stressed out.
Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 2000s
It’s exhilarating and tiring, and by the end of the trade show, you are ready to escape. Your own bed, your family, your car, your pets, your routine — everything you want is at home. But before you take off, be sure to wrap things up right. Check all the small things before heading out.
| October 2016
October 2016 is a busy month for trade shows in North America. Maybe they are on your radar. Maybe not. But it’s always nice when you don’t have to go hunting for information.
So sit back and enjoy 10 BIG Trade Shows happening in October.
Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 1990s
As a smart marketer, you attend as many trade shows as you can, all while managing the day-to-day operations of your business. Eventually, you may feel as if you’ve been everywhere. You may question if another one is worth it.
Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 1980s
What do customers want? It’s not complicated. They expect you’ll be good to them. How you respond makes all the difference, and saying and showing them that I’ll be good to you sets the right tone. However, even when you are paying attention and putting customers first, unexpected things can and will happen. Being human means that errors will occur.
Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 1970s
Taking care of business means taking care of your customers. Giving them your time and attention and always being courteous. It can all be done — or at least started — at trade shows. You want your customers to look at your booth and think that nobody does it better.
Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 1960s
Eventually, you will find yourself at a trade show in Las Vegas. Before you hit the road, make sure your booth is up to the magic moment.
It’s time to consider a new exhibit, new graphics, and an updated approach to your trade show marketing. If you are truly honest with yourself, you know the same old song won’t attract customers.
Recent Posts
Let Your Fingers Do the Talking: Word on the Street — June 10th thru June 14th
It’s on your desk, in the battery charging cradle at home, or in the tray in your car. Some are black, some are white, some are shiny. They all have numerical keypads . . . keypads that rarely get used by anyone under 35.
It’s Your Phone
‘t Be Fooled by This Copy
Whenever I hear someone say, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” I know it’s because they just copied something. We see that a lot with our designs and our innovations. At EXHIBITOR2013, there were two exhibits, one from a Chinese manufacturer and one from an American distributor, that were EXACT copies of our designs. Sigh.
An Example of a Video Testimonial by a Classic Exhibits Distributor
In February, we built a custom 30 x 30 island for Communication One Exhibits in Salem, OR. The client was Bob’s Red Mill, a manufacturer of whole grain products. Anyone who has visited us is familiar with Bob’s Red Mill. The company has a visitor center and restaurant just down the road from Classic Exhibits. We almost always take our out-of-town guests to Bob’s for lunch.
10 Reasons to Love June and July in the Exhibit Biz
Everyone knows the trade show biz is cyclical. It’s busy in August, September, and October. November is a snoozer. December is always a gamble. Then comes January, February, March, and April when all hell breaks loose. And just when you can’t possibly work any harder or sleep any less, it’s late May.
Celebrating Grandma: Word on the Street — May 27th thru May 31st
This weekend, the Carty Family celebrates my grandmother’s 95th birthday. I come from a huge Irish Catholic family, meaning we’ll have 40-50 in attendance at her party. She has chosen an ice cream social, and it’s sure to be a great event. She is an amazing woman!
The Ultimate EDS Webinar — Tips, Tricks, And Techniques
Are you a POWER USER of Exhibit Design Search? You can be . . . all in 60 minutes. With our certified training program, you’ll impress co-workers with your savvy EDS knowledge, close more display sales, reduce visible wrinkles, and regrow hair (lots and lots of hair). Trust us. We’ve done tests.
Join us on Tuesday, June 11 at 10 am PST (1 PM EST) for EDS Tips, Tricks, and Techniques.
Honoring Memorial Day: Word on the Street — May 20th thru May 24th
Whether you’re camping, on a road trip, outta town to see family and friends, or just hanging at home for three days like me, I trust you are enjoying your long weekend.
We all work very hard and while long weekends like Memorial Day Weekend provide us with an extra day to relax, I hope we all take time to reflect and celebrate the reason for the weekend. Please remember those who lost their lives to protect this great country.
Measuring the Impact of Social Media Marketing: Free Webinar
MEASURING SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
“Social Media Metrics: What To Measure And Why” will be the subject of a free webinar on Wednesday, May 22. It is intended to give business leaders perspective on the differences between social media marketing and traditional advertising approaches; and to provide them with an understanding of what data should be driving their analysis of the success of their efforts.
When Simple Statements Make a Difference: Word on the Street — May 13th thru May 17th
You have experienced it a million times: Sometimes the simplest statements can either ruin your day or make it all worthwhile!
As a parent, I am very conscious of this. There’s nothing worse than when your child shows you something they drew or created with Lego’s, all excited, and your response is, “What is it?” or “I am busy. I will look at it later.” No matter how bad or unrecognizable it may be, I always tell my kids, “That’s beautiful. Tell me all about it.”
Katina Rigall Describes the TF-506 Hybrid Display
Katina Rigall, an exhibit designer at Classic, explains why she designed the TF-506 Portable Hybrid Display.
NEW Features in Exhibit Design Search (EDS)
For those Exhibit Design Search groupies, and you know who you are, we’ve added some enhanced features. These features are available on Classic’s EDS, on your branded EDS sites, and on the unbranded version (www.exhibit-design-search.com).
Additions Include:
Add P5D photos to My Gallery. Now you can send kits and photos in one email. Much easier
An iPad Kiosks/Solutions Gallery. This product line continues to grow and deserved a dedicated gallery
A “Show All” feature — Now you can view larger searches and galleries in a single window
Alphabetical Sort. Very convenient if you want to view a search in alphabetical order
New Fabric Swatches page showing all current and available Front Runner, Prelude, and EcoFi fabrics in our assortment
Spring SKU 2013 Graduation: Word on the Street — May 6th thru May 10th
To the Spring 2013 SKU Graduates
What can I say? I am honored you attended Shared Knowledge University. Thanks for participating in an amazing SKU. By the email commentary (that’s still going on), I feel confident in saying that we had the most successful session yet. For those who attended, please share your thoughts in the blog comment section. Future SKU attendees need to hear from you!
$445 iPad Kiosk Special
iPad Kiosk Special
Save $50 on iPad Kiosk designs MOD-1312/1314 through June 30. The MOD-1312/1314 features a convenient clamshell frame with two anti-theft locks. The kiosks have integrated wire management with a 4 outlet power strip.
Choose from multiple graphic solutions including face plates, halos, wings, and direct prints on the post.
As Transparent as EVER: Word on the Street — April 29th thru May 3rd
As I write this, I’m completing final preparations for Shared Knowledge University (SKU). Thirty Distributors, three Vendor Partners, and a host of Classic Exhibits, Exhibits Northwest, Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits, Classic Rentals, and ClassicMODUL employees will participate in the two-day training program at Classic Exhibits. To say that I am excited does not convey my true feelings.
To Move or NOT to Move: Word on the Street — April 22nd thru April 26th
Or Should I Say, WHEN to Move?
Since last fall, we have been wrestling with this question at Classic Exhibits, Exhibits NW, and ClassicMODUL.
It’s no secret, we have been growing. And our growth has been at a consistent pace. But with growth comes the conversation of when to move into a larger building.