Farewell to Our Dear Friend Mike
Saturday was a tremendously sad day in our internal and external family. Sadly we lost our beloved Design Director Mike Swartout this weekend.
| YES, YES, YES!
We love it when Classic Distributors think outside the box. Here’s a wonderful example. Start with the standard MOD-1432 Charging Table with (8) USB Ports and LED Perimeter Lights . Normally, the distributor would add a vinyl graphic to the counter top for branding. Which always looks terrific.
Email Apocalypse — The Joys of Technology
As a Classic Distributor, you know — or can probably guess — that the past two weeks have been nothing close to Bunnies and Bounce-houses around here. Why? Because our entire computer server/network came to a loud crash around April Fools Day.
28 Strangers That Touch Your Trade Show Exhibit
Last year, TS Crew created 28 Strangers That Touch Your Trade Show Exhibit. It’s an excellent infographic because it shows graphically how many people “touch” your exhibit from the moment it leaves your exhibit builder’s dock. Simply start in the upper right-hand corner.
| Perfection vs. Good Enough
Over the years, we’ve learned that it’s OK to “release” if you’ve done your best under the circumstances. The mistake is not listening to feedback and making adjustments. And honestly, that can be so much harder for some people and organizations because then it’s no longer about perfection. It’s about ego.
Universal Trade Show and Event Charging Stations
Our charging stations are ideal examples of how Classic Distributors drive innovations. Several years ago, we were asked to develop a charging station with two monitors. Good idea. Great product. But not very useful for most trade shows and events.
Classic Exhibits… By the Numbers
In business, as in life, we celebrate milestones. This morning after adding an article to Trade Show Tips, I decide to count them — 74 articles. It’s more than I thought, but 74 isn’t 740 or 7400 so the number didn’t freak me out.
Having started down this path, I decided to look at other numbers. For example, how many blog posts have we published in Trade Show Tales?
Gravitee One-Step Demo Video
On Day 3 of EXHIBITORLIVE, we shot a video of Kevin highlighting the features of the new Gravitee One-Step Modular System. By then, he had perfected his Gravitee presentation… well… mostly. Admittedly, it’s no ShamWow or Ronco Rotisserie pitch but how many times can you say, “But wait! There’s more!” in real life?
| Gravitee Strikes a Winning Chord
I’m at 32,000 feet, headed home from EXHIBITORLIVE 2016 in Las Vegas. After four weary days (and nights), I wanted to share with you the overall show vibe from the Classic Exhibits perspective.
To those not in attendance, I hope you viewed our videos highlighting Day 1 and Day 2. They show how slammed we were both days. On the morning of Day 2, I was approached by another exhibitor who said, “Kevin, ya know in grade school where we all learned to share. Would you mind sharing some of your attendee traffic with the rest of us?”
| Thumbs Up & Thumbs Down
We’re back from an early EXHIBITORLIVE 2016 this year. I have a vague recollection back in the days of Bally’s of one around Valentine’s Day but then again, all my EXHIBITOR memories are somewhat fuzzy for reasons that would be best not to explore. While it’s still fresh on my mind, I thought I’d share a few Thumbs Ups and Thumbs Downs.
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“Can I Afford to Be Optimistic?” by Jay Goltz
Jay Goltz, a contributor to “You’re the Boss: The Art of Running a Small Business” in The New York Times asks himself, “Can I Afford to Be Optimistic?” For anyone working in a small business, you might enjoy his thoughts.
Exclusive E2MA Study about the Rising Costs of General Service Contractor Services
The E2MA (Exhibit and Event Marketers Association) has spent two years on a study that presents factual data about the rising costs of exclusive services provided by General Service Contractors. We’ve all “known this,” but now there’s a summary of actual facts and data that makes it real. No trend jeopardizes the full recovery and future of the trade show industry more than this.
The $445 iPad Kiosk Sale
Let’s start the year right! You know your trade show clients want an iPad to demo their products or website. Why not make the decision easy with an iPad Kiosk on sale? See the download options for this flyer at the bottom. To see all the iPad Solutions from Classic Exhibits . . . and there are a bunch with even more coming . . . Go to Workstations and Kiosk Gallery in Exhibit Design Search.
Final Days of 2012: Word on the Street — Dec. 24th thru Dec. 28th
As we all prepare to ring in 2013, I am working on the Annual State of the Company letter which will be emailed in the next two weeks. To be honest, this year was positive for so many reasons that the letter is taking some time to pull together.
100 Things to Watch in 2013 (JTW Intelligence)
Annual Forecast of Trends — JTW Intelligence released their eighth annual year-end forecast of key trends that will shape or significantly impact consumer behavior in the near future. According to JTW:
Display Your Holiday Spirit: Word on the Street — Dec. 17th thru Dec. 21st
Who does not like this time of the year? It’s my favorite, especially with having little kiddos running around. This past week I have been preparing to play Santa on Monday night, and I have been enjoying our kid’s programs at school and church. And of course shopping for loved ones.
Classic Exhibits Distributor Feedback in 2012
About two or three times a month, we send “Customer Feedback” emails. On average about 20-30 emails a month, more during February, fewer during July. If you’ve received one, you’ll recognize the subject line: “Feedback on your recent order | #12345 Sacagawea Portable Hybrid (PM XYZ).”
Happy Holidays from Your Friends at Classic Exhibits Inc.
Happy Holidays from Your Friends at Classic Exhibits Inc. May your Holiday and New Year be filled with joy and prosperity.
EXHIBITOR 2013 — What Else to Do in Vegas (from a Las Vegas local)
EXHIBITOR is celebrating its 25th year. While there aren’t many certainties in life, one thing is certain. Vegas reinvents itself more often than Madonna. Living in Vegas, I’m constantly asked about what to do here. So, here’s the inside scoop of what’s new!
‘s in a Name?: Word on the Street — Dec. 10th thru Dec. 14th
Over the past couple of years, one of my favorite things is when people outside of the Pacific Northwest tell me how much they love Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Displays from Classic.
Not only does it generate a sense of pride in our company, but it also just makes me laugh to be frank
Innovative iPad Solutions for Trade Shows, Events, and Retail Environments
You hit the jackpot! The iPad Kiosks shown below are cost-effective and well-designed iPad stands designed specifically for trade shows, events, and retail environments. They are lightweight, assemble fast, and include lockable security features. Most units have a clamshell frame that rotates effortlessly from portrait to landscape. There’s even a roll-able case. All ship from the USA.
EXHIBITOR 2013 — Other Places to Eat (from a Las Vegas local)
You gotta eat. You can eat cheap, which your stomach will regret later, or you can eat expensive, which your wallet will regret for weeks. It doesn’t have to be that way. Instead, why not truly dine, i.e. To eat a good dinner in good company and eat it slow
Shopping with Social Misfits at the Supermarket
No matter where you live, you’ll find yourself in a supermarket several times a week. Supermarkets reflect society, particularly regional differences. But how people behave in a supermarket is . . . well . . . “revealing.” I’m not going to point out regional differences, that would get me in trouble, but I will say that supermarkets are a mirror of how we treat others and how we view our social responsibilities.
CEIR Index: After Nine Quarters of Good News . . . Exhibitors are Cautious
In an article by Rachel Wimberly for the Trade Show News Network, she writes:
For the ninth quarter in a row, the trade show industry still is growing, according to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research’s latest CEIR Index, albeit at a slower rate in the third quarter of this year, with concerns over not only the looming fiscal cliff, but also the global economy.
Post EDPA ACCESS 2012 Report: Word on the Street — Nov. 26th thru Nov. 30th
I LOVE this industry! And events like EDPA ACCESS only make me love it more!
Palm Springs provided an amazing setting this past week for Education, Advocacy, Networking and Strategy. To those who were there, it was great to see you and get caught up professionally and personally.