What a Mel Meltdown Looks Like
Twelve years ago, we coined the phrase “Exhibit Design Search.” Back then, it was exactly that — a simple way to search through our product galleries for kit numbers and features. As with anything successful, there are bound to be copycats. Other display vendors and distributors have attempted to replicate Exhibit Design Search.
Your Spring “Shared Knowledge University” Invitation (SKU)
You want to attend Shared Knowledge University (SKU). You know it. We know it. Space is limited and openings fill fast. Contact Jen LaBruzza (jen@classicexhibits.com) to reserve your spot on June 12-13 (Monday and Tuesday).
10 Big Trade Shows in April 2017
Spring has officially sprung and we’re hopping into April with another BIG trade show month. This month features coffee to craft brewers, and furniture design to architects and broadcasters. There’s something for everyone.
2017 Portable Modular Awards at EXHIBITORLIVE
At EXHIBITORLIVE, Classic Exhibits had six finalists for the EXHIBITOR Portable Modular Awards. Our most ever. We won two: Best Inline and Best Use of Graphics. Some background on each winner from text that will appear in EXHIBITOR Magazine.
A Fun Video of EXHIBITOR 2017 with Classic Exhibits
If you were at EXHIBITORLIVE, you already know. It was amazing! So many upscale designs and clever promotions this year. We’ll share details in a future blog (once we fully recover), but we thought you might enjoy this fun video edited by Glenna Martin, our Graphic Design Manager. See anyone you recognize?
Kevin Schuhl — My First Six Months at Classic Exhibits
There are many things that I have done for more than six months. Many tangentially related to the design of trade show spaces and structures. For example, building scenery, painting sets, designing and producing environmental graphics. What I have not done (until now) is work for any organization for anywhere close to six months. As Ariel said in the Disney version of The Little Mermaid, it’s a whole new world.
Your Women in Exhibitions Meeting at EXHIBITORLIVE
Calling ALL women in the exhibition industry! The Women In Exhibitions (WIE) meeting will be held on Monday, March 13 at 5 pm at Mandalay Bay – Palm F, Level 3. Please join us as we network and build key relationships with other women in our industry.
Ahhh, The Elusive Email Subject Line
Anyone who writes marketing or sales emails sweats over subject lines. Admittedly, I’ve read quite a few articles from experts, each with kernels of wisdom. Yesterday, I read a great one from Tina Brown at Warp Corp, a builder and printer of tension fabric structures in Seattle. Tina brought it all together in a tidy, well-written package. So, I’m sharing.
EXHIBITORLIVE — Get the Skinny from Classic Exhibits
I don’t know about you, but we are delighted EXHIBITORLIVE is a bit later this year. It was a crazy January at Classic Exhibits, and February has already gotten even wackier with designs, quotes, and orders. Thanks for all the business.
So, what can you expect from Classic Exhibits at EXHIBITORLIVE? [All future references to the show will be “EL.” If I have to type all caps and then change LIVE to italics again, I will lose my friggin’ mind]. As a reminder, the show runs from March 12-16 at Mandalay Bay.
Some Thoughts… After Visiting Classic Exhibits Distributors
In January, I had the pleasure of visiting distributors in Southwest Ohio and Chicago. So, what did I hear from over 20 distributors? Industry trends, of course. It’s an interesting time to be in the trade show business.
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Thanks and Hang on Tight: Word on the Street — August 12th thru August 16th
The first two weeks of August are always the “ramp up” for the nutty late summer and fall show season. And this year is following the same trend. But with one twist, a twist that we’ve seen growing over the past 12 months: island exhibits continue to expand as a percentage of our business.
Classic Exhibits Welcomes Glenna Martin, FT Graphic Design Manager
Classic Exhibits announces the addition of Glenna Martin as a full time Graphic Design Manager. Glenna is not new to the trade show industry, as her bio reveals. She’s been working with Classic and Classic Distributors for eight years as a contract designer and has been instrumental in the branding of Classic since 2005.
An Early Christmas at Classic Exhibits: Word on the Street — August 5th thru August 9th
It’s not often I get excited about things “Accounting Related.” After all, I am a sales-minded guy for the most part.
But late last week, this weekend, and Monday, Classic Exhibits is installing significantly UPDATED Accounting, Project Management, Purchasing, and Inventory Control software. And it’s really cool.
Your Exhibit Success Challenge Series
Today begins three weeks of education and inspiration to spur your exhibit marketing plans forward for this fall’s shows and beyond. Each week during the Challenge, you’ll receive an e-mail with links to the expert interviews as they’re available (scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays).
What You Missed at The Red Diamond Congress
Last week, I attended the E2MA Red Diamond Congress in Chicago. The Red Diamond Congress is the association’s annual three-day meeting. So what’s the RDC. It’s not a trade show like EXHIBITOR. Nor is it a meeting with colleagues held at a resort like EDPA Access. Instead, it’s in Chicago at McCormick Place. About 200+ attended, which meant it was nearly impossible not to meet everyone. That was two-thirds of the fun.
Richer for the Experience: Building My NEW Website with Tony Bennett
In 2012, I started Laguna Displays as a portable/modular exhibits and graphics business. My initial, very basic website was built around Classic’s user-friendly Exhibit Design Search (EDS). A year later, with Laguna Displays out of infancy, I was ready to launch an upgraded, full-featured website that could grow and change with my company.
Summer in the Trade Show Exhibit Industry
If there was an exhibit and event thermometer measuring the hot and cold temperature of the industry, it would go from subzero to boiling hot several times a year.
Now before you think this is just my opinion, let me qualify it.
SuperNova Lightboxes “JUST DO IT.” Project: Word on the Street — July 15th thru July 19th
NIKE, the recognized leader in sporting apparel worldwide, is on the cusp of opening a new Call Center to support their Nike.com website on Monday. Classic Exhibits was able to play a small part in that space with SuperNova™ LED Lightboxes. We built out the perimeter walls of the entire work space. As you can see from the images and the video, the impact is real.
SEGUE SuperNova LED Inline Lightboxes
For the first time, exhibitors can enjoy the visible benefits of a large lightbox in a portable one- or two-sided display. SEGUE SuperNova LED Lightboxes from Classic Exhibits use a proprietary light system that attaches to the engineered aluminum frame.
Classic Exhibits has a NEW Chicago Rental Depot
Yes, you read that correctly! We’re excited to announce that we have added a rental depot in Chicago. We’ve teamed up with ELITeXPO to produce rentals at their corporate headquarters in Elgin, IL (right outside of Chicago). We’ll work with you on the sales end, and they’ll handle the fulfillment. And you’ll save big time on shipping costs!
How to Build Superfans for Your Brand: Word on the Street — July 8th thru July 12th
The fact I am writing this makes me laugh. A friend and fellow music lover shared an article with me last week about my favorite band — Pearl Jam. And the reason it makes me chuckle is that as a card carrying member of the Ten Club (their fan club) since 1992, I firmly believe that Eddie, Stone, Jeff, and Mike would cringe if they knew they were being written about as smart “business strategists.”
A Groovy First Year Retrospective
Lesson #56 – Problems Can be Opportunities in (a really bad) Disguise
Some might say “astounding.” Others may choose “astonishing.” I choose “G-R-O-O-V-Y”!
The past year has been, well, groovy. I’m imagining a few LOL moments from those who have spent time with me.
What Do You Do With Your Time?: Word on the Street — July 1st thru July 5th
Happy 4th of July
This past week was and probably will go down as the slowest sales week of the year. Having the holiday land on a Thursday can do that. Add to that it’s in July, and you get a whole lot of nothing.
Trade Show Flooring Galleries in EDS — WOW!
Brumark has made significant changes and additions to the Flooring — Carpet and Padding and Flooring – Other Options galleries of Exhibit Design Search!
In addition to enhanced product descriptions and updated images, they’ve added a variety of flooring products to meet just about any application and budget requirement. Here’s a description of the changes from Brumark:
Polishing Perfection: Word on the Street — June 24th thru June 28th
First, the issue. We design, manufacture and sell tradeshow exhibits. We depend on you to find new clients or to work with your existing clients to develop their tradeshow program. But there is, at times, a fly in the ointment or a pink elephant in the room. It’s YOU!