7 Reasons to Attend Shared Knowledge University
Earlier today, a Classic Distributor asked me why they should attend Shared Knowledge University on June 12-13. Honestly, I had to think about it since I’ve never been asked that before. Which is a little odd. So, why should you (or any distributor), spend two days attending Classic’s comprehensive training in Portland, OR?
Gravitee One-Step Modular System (Video)
Below is a Gravitee One-Step video where we disassembled a large conference room in less than five minutes. When we took the video, that was the only goal. Then we sent it to Glenna, our Graphic Designer, who saw what we clearly failed to see — namely a whole lotta plumber’s butt.
10 Big Trade Shows in May 2017
We know you are patiently waiting for National Hug Your Cat Day on May 15. As are we. To help you pass the time, we’ve compiled a list of 10 BIG trade shows happening in May 2017. What do cats have to do with trade shows? Thank you for asking: What Cats Can Teach Us About Trade Shows.
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.
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Recent Posts
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!
Magellan Portable Hybrid Displays
The Classic distributors who attend Shared Knowledge University (SKU), our comprehensive training program, hear the history and the explanation of our hybrid lines. They always tell us that what was confusing, now makes sense. So, over the next few weeks, I’ll do my best to encapsulate the SKU review into a series of blogs about the Classic Hybrid lines. We’ll begin with Magellan.
Meet Katrina Broten, Our Design Intern: Word on the Street — June 17th thru June 21st
The Classic Family is very happy to welcome Katrina Broten to our Design Department as a Summer Design Intern. Many of you might remember Katrina from earlier postings. She and I met through the EDPA Mentorship Program with Bemidji State University last fall. During her final year, she collaborated with Mike and Katina from the Classic Exhibits Design Department as she worked on her senior projects.
Custom Island Exhibit by Classic Exhibits
The 40′ x 40′ Calypto Island Exhibit was built by Classic Exhibits for Exhibits Northwest Portland. The custom construction island featured a 40 ft entrance with downlighting, backlit reception counters, silicone edge graphics, and three large monitors all framed by two large “C” bookends. Behind the entrance was private meeting rooms. Built using wood cam-lock construction, primarily 4 x 8 panels.
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
iPad Mount — Don’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.