25 Ways to Cut Costs at Your Next Trade Show
Trade shows often make up about a third of B2B marketing budgets, representing huge costs to wholesale distributors, manufacturers, and other B2B organizations. So how can you save money on your trade show exhibitions without sacrificing marketing impact? In this detailed webinar, trade show expert Mel White will provide 25 great strategies to get more from your trade show budget.
More Changes! Exhibit Design Search
Get a Distributor-branded Exhibit Design Search for your website. Only $300. We do the work. You get the credit. Give Jen, Reid, or Mel a call for more information.
‘d and Clucked at Me: Word on the Street — Nov.9th thru Nov. 13th
Twice a year, we invite 30-40 distributors from around the country to learn about all things Classic Exhibits and several strategic partners. This past week was our Fall 2015 session.
Our “Shared Success” Values
At Classic Exhibits Inc., we believe that healthy relationships with employees,
suppliers, and distributors (and their customers) depends on Shared Knowledge,
Shared Responsibility, and Shared Innovation. We value honest communication,
transparency, trust, and hard work. We are committed to the Shared Success of all
stakeholders based on their contribution.
‘s Personal. Our New Custom Exhibit Gallery
We created Custom Exhibit Gallery on the Classic website, not in EDS. It’s very similar to our Retail Gallery and Graphic Inspiration Galleries. All are are meant to show you our full design and production capabilities.
‘s Promotional Materials
We love it when distributors re-purpose Classic’s marketing materials. This week, Atlantic Exhibits sent an email broadcast promoting Perfect 10 Portable Hybrid Displays. Not only is the P10 on sale thorough 11/27, but it also carries the 100-Day Return Guarantee. It’s the PERFECT One-two punch product as you head into the holiday season.
11 Printable Product Sheets from Classic Exhibits
Once or twice a week, we get a request for a printable handout for Sacagawea, Perfect, 10, Visionary Designs, etc. Most of the time, the distributor wants a simple one-page product summary to leave with their customer or as an email attachment. Rarely does the distributor ask for a large, multi-page brochure.
Is Your Display Supplier an Importer, an Assembler, or a Builder?
Recently, a distributor asked me about the capabilities of X, a trade show display supplier in our industry. We talked about X, which led to a conversation about A, D, and G. I realized after our call that the industry has shifted. The categories or labels we’ve always used to define exhibit suppliers/builders are no longer accurate.
‘ll Never Ask About Your Trade Show Display
It’s time to buy a trade show display. Unlike lawn mowers, cameras, or smartphones, there’s no Consumer Reports and your experience is limited. So, you do your research on the web, and if you are smart, you consult with a trade show exhibit professional. You ask the right questions about design, assembly, and how much it weighs. You even ask to see the warranty.
However, there are questions you won’t ask. How do I know? Because no exhibit manager has ever asked me these questions… and they should.
“Roll On Columbia, Roll On”: Word on the Street — Oct.5th thru Oct. 9th
Earlier this year, Classic Exhibits was awarded the contract to build an Interpretive Visitor Center for the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) in Portland. A local design firm brought us the project. This past Wednesday, we were delighted to attend the Grand Opening of the Interpretive Center.
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Something is Not Adding Up!: Word on the Street — Oct. 8th thru Oct. 12th
I am a Marriott Man. And proud of it. I love the hotels, the way it’s run, the options it provides, the generous rewards program. I Love Marriott!
So this is going to be really weird, because I am going to throw them squarely under the bus. And, not just under the bus but pull forward and backwards multiple times kind of running over with the bus.
‘ve Learned (or The Tao of Jen)
Lesson #43: Understand Your Customer’s World, then See How Your Product and Your Company Fits.
If Willie Nelson can have a Tao, well, then so can I.
I’ve been on the job as Classic’s Western Regional Manager for a few months. Let me just say . . . working four hours a day is exhausting. 😉 Over the past 60 plus days, I’ve learned a few things, made some mistakes, and grown not only as a professional, but also as a person.
SKU …. Part Deux: Word on the Street — October 1st thru October 5th
Teacher’s Pets
Two weeks ago, we hosted our second Shared Knowledge University training. It was a very successful educational and networking event with an outstanding group of new and veteran distributors. To the attendees, we loved having you here. The give and take, your humor, and your insights made it truly special. If there was an award for Teacher’s Pets, you would have all won.
Bread Crumb Orders
Sandwiches, French Toast, and Bread Pudding
Recently, we conducted Shared Knowledge University (SKU), our two day distributor training program. On the first day, we started the meeting by discussing “Shared Success” and “Shared Knowledge.” These philosophies serve as the foundation for our business, not only with distributors, but also with Classic employees and our suppliers. Shared Success and Shared Knowledge depend on honesty, trust, and respect. That starts with us. We do our best to work within those guidelines, but it would be naive to assume that every distributor views our business relationship as a partnership.
Things Legends are Made From: Word on the Street — Sept. 24th thru Sept. 28th
OK, well maybe that is a bit overstated 🙂 ….or maybe not.
Last Saturday September 23, Club 815 Powered by the EDPA Foundation saddled up to ride and to raise money for Mike and Janet Swartout. The event was the Eschelon Gran Fondo of Hood River.
iPad Kiosk and Backwall Solutions from Classic Exhibits
In this (informal) informational video, Mel White from Classic Exhibits reviews the company’s assortment of iPad solutions, including kiosks and backwall attachments. Prices vary from $129 to $679. To see the complete product line, visit the Workstations and Kiosk Gallery in Exhibit Design Search.
The ALL NEW Exhibit Design Search
How new? It’s so new that it still smells like fresh programming code on a dewy spring day. Inhale and savor the crisp scent, my friend. It’s a new day in the land of Exhibit Design Search (EDS).
Upcoming Events for The Classic Exhibits Family: Word on the Street — Sept. 10th thru Sept. 14th
Not only is this “the busy” season, but this is also a busy time for events at Classic.
First, Club 815 Fundraiser
The time is finally here. “The Fundraiser Ride for Mike and Janet Swartout” is this Saturday, September 22. Yes, it’s the culmination of a lot of training, but more importantly, the culmination of your tremendous support for Classic’s Design Director, Mike Swartout who is battling cancer. Thanks to those who have been so very generous by contributing to the team that includes Joel Roy from Creative Dimension, Greg Garrett from Greg Garrett Designs, David Brown from Optima Graphics, Tony Ricci from Optima Graphics and his lovely wife Betsy, Mel White, Charlie Shivel and me from Classic, and my step-father Grant Murrell.
‘s Rep
Snake Oil Salesman or Snake Charmer
The traveling salesman has always had slightly negative, slightly shady reputation. If you’ve ever seen The Music Man, particularly the opening scene on train, you’ll know what I mean. I would like to think business has changed from the days of the “snake oil salesman” to what we now refer to as a “manufacturer’s rep.
“The Importance of Exhibitor Education” by Marlys Arnold
Marlys Arnold, from Trade Show Insights, wrote a terrific blog this week about The Importance of Exhibitor Education. She based her comments on the recent CEIR Report, “How the Exhibit Dollar is Spent.”
I encourage you to read (or listen to) her post. Here’s a snippet:
“Earlier this month, the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) released their report, “How the Exhibit Dollar is Spent.”
Quadro S Pop Up Assembly and Features Video
Recently, a Classic Distributor asked us to record a quick video showing the basic assembly and features of the Quadro S Pop Up Display. So a few days ago, we recorded this off-the-cuff and very casual video in our shop once everyone had left. You’ll quickly see why I never auditioned for any high school or college plays.
We thought we’d share it for anyone unfamiliar with the benefits and features of the Quadro S. My thanks to Jeff Garrett, our video guru, for turning a pile of @*!% into something mildly presentable.
The Fallacy of Running a Small Business
Sales/Marketing, Finance, and Operations
Choose one. Just one. You’ll won’t be good at all three.
In a former life, I was a small business consultant for start-ups, mostly with technology companies and inventors. It was rewarding . . . and it was brutal. Nearly every day, I worked with entrepreneurs on their financials, marketing plans, and operations. Most were obsessive and deluded. They knew their product or service, but they struggled with long-term planning, raising capital, implementation, and customer service.
Classic Exhibits 2012 BBQ and Potluck
Last Friday, we held our Annual BBQ ad Potluck at Classic Exhibits. Even on a hot day Portland, it didn’t appear to curb anyone’s appetite. Our thanks to all the employees at Classic Exhibits, Classic Rentals, and Exhibits Northwest Portland who attended and brought so many excellent salads, desserts, and appetizers.
See below for photos from the event.
iPad Sneak Peek — Perfect 10 Pedestal with Swivel Stop Feature
Perfect 10 Pedestal with Swivel Stop iPad Mount
We don’t do this very often . . . but here’s sneak peek of a new product. It’s a P10 Pedestal with the patent pending Swivel Stop. It’s shown in portrait setting, but it easily swivels to the landscape mode with a quick twist. We are developing new uses for the Swivel Stop. These existing products already have the Swivel Stop feature: the iPad Kiosks MOD-1332, 1333, 1334, and the backwall extrusion mount MOD-1318.
EDPA Pulse Survey: Submit by August 24
FROM EDPA — Exhibit Designers and Producers Association
We are excited to start the 2nd Quarter PULSE for 2012 and look forward to increasing participation even more. We invite any companies who are interested in doing this to share this important industry initiative.
This quarter we continue to refine the survey and make it easier and more efficient for you to complete. Please continue to participate and encourage all of your industry peers to join in as well.