The More Perfect, Perfect 10 Hybrid Display
Hold onto your dentures Grandma, we just made the Perfect 10 — More Perfect! The Perfect 10 and Perfect 20 feature the exclusive 100-Day Return Guarantee. If for any reason your client doesn’t like the Perfect 10 within the first 100 days, they can return it for a refund, minus graphics and shipping.
Wait… There’s MORE! ALL Perfect 10 Portable Hybrid Displays are ON SALE through November 27. Every. Single. One. There’s never been a portable display like the P10. No tools. Distinctive shape. Options galore. Download the literature below or in the Perfect 10 gallery in Exhibit Design Search.
Three Clever Trade Show Infographics
I’m a sucker for a clever, creative, well-designed Infographic. It reminds me of my childhood browsing through over-sized books about history, science, or sports where the graphics engage and educate.
I don’t have the patience or the talent to create infographics so when I find one that hits a bulls-eye about trade show marketing, I feel compelled to share. This week, I hit the jackpot and discovered three, all created by Megan Lemmons at Mostre Design/Advent Exhibits. My thanks to Megan for sharing with the Classic Exhibits Network.
Controlled Chaos: Word on the Street — Sept. 21st thru Sept. 25th
If you have kids like me, you know the difference between “chaos” and “controlled chaos.” Here is how I explain it as a parent: You know those big trampoline havens? The indoor trampoline park has quickly replaced Chuckie Cheese as THE place to have a birthday party.
Well, these trampoline parks are located in massive warehouses. But within those spaces are sections or what I call Kiddie Play Prisons, divided into areas with guards. Instead of wielding a gun, they are armed with a smile and a walkie-talkie to communicate with the other guards.
The Sale That Got Away
Sales are funny that way. We are so conditioned by “sales success” that we tend to ignore “sales failure.” So we congratulate ourselves on what we did right to land the order. Not on what we did wrong that kept us from getting it. It’s easier to create excuses. To blame the situation or a person.
John Zipay: Six Month Update (or What I Did During My Summer Vacation)
Wow! I can’t believe it has been six months since I joined the Classic Exhibits Family as the General Manager for Exhibits Northwest!
Where to begin… The Northwest is fantastically beautiful with postcard views in every direction. The folks here are down-to-earth, extremely health, and environmentally conscious. Professionally, my daily challenges haven’t changed very much, and the overall industry feel is more or less the same. Just like you, we use our experience to recommend the best exhibits and services to our customers.
Share, Rent, Borrow, or Buy Your Next Display?
As a parent, you teach your children to share — share their toys, their candy, their whatever.
At Classic, we’ve seen this rental trend since 2008. At first, it was driven by necessity. Exhibitors were committed to a show and/or committed to trade show marketing and their budgets were slashed. Now, however, that trend has less to do with slashed budgets and more to do with personalization, capacity, ownership, storage, and design.
How to Speak Graphic Designer (Infographic)
28 Design Terms Marketers Should Know
Wow! Two sensational infographics within a week. This one should be printed, framed, and hung on the wall next to every graphic designer and marketing manager. No more misunderstandings about leading and kerning. No more wasted conversations about web-friendly fonts. No more confusion about UI and UX.
10 Steps to Trade Show Success (Infographic)
Some infographics can be confusing… But not this one! An outstanding infographic from Bag of Ideas, a promotional products company in the UK. This is one worth printing or forwarding to your tradeshow clients. Bag of Ideas — A pat on the back for this clever and practical message. Well done!
‘s Your Trade Show Kryptonite?
We shouldn’t but we do. We hope hope hope that the next attendee who walks in our booth is Superman. Not Superman Superman, but the sales equivalent of Superman. Faster to sign a contract than a speeding bullet. More powerful than the VP of Purchasing. Able to leap over objections in a single bound. We yearn for Superman (or Superwoman) to enter our trade show booth space.
Trust Me!
I receive Seth Godin’s daily blog post. To say “I receive” his posts doesn’t do them justice. They’re always the first or second email I read in the morning. This one was especially relevant.
Here’s a simple marketing strategy for a smaller company trying to compete in a big-company world:
Choose your customers, trust them, treat them well.
Say yes. Bend the rules. Show up on time. Keep your promises.
Don’t exert power merely because you can.
Be human, be kind, pay attention, smile.
Not everyone deserves this sort of treatment, not everyone will do their part to be the kind of customer you can delight and serve. But that’s okay, you don’t need everyone.
Filter by Category
Filter by Year
Recent Posts
Delegating Tasks: Word on the Street — August 13th thru August 17th
I don’t often reference an article in my posts, but this week I just couldn’t resist. Jay Goltz writes a column, “You’re the Boss: The Art of Running a Small Business” in The New York Times. Last week, his post was relevant to nearly everyone who manages people, projects, or just about anything. Here’s the first paragraph, and then a link to the full article. I encourage you to read the comments as well.
The One Task I Can’t Seem to Delegate
Calling all Distributors to EDPA ACCESS 2012: Word on the Street — August 6th thru August 10th
EDPA ACCESS 2012
It may seem early to chat about an event that is not slated until late November, but I would challenge you that it is not. Particularly for Classic Distributors.
As you have probably gathered over the years, I am a passionate advocate for EDPA (for what it represents and for what it has accomplished for our beloved industry). ACCESS is a huge part of why I am so passionate about the association.
What Cats Can Teach Us About Trade Shows
Have you seen the bumper sticker from the Humane Society, “Who Saved Who?” We are a nation devoted to pets, whether they’re on the farm or in a purse. They learn from us, but we learn from them as well. The other day while watching Animal Planet with a cat in my lap, one on the sofa next to me, and another puking upstairs ( it sounded like the world’s worst ventriloquist), I realized that we could learn a thing or two about trade show marketing from our feline companions.
And Away We Go!: Word on the Street — July 30th thru August 3
August is finally here . . . and depending on your perspective, that’s either a good thing or something to fear.
From a personal perspective, I am like, “Yikes! How did we get to August so quickly?” But from a business standpoint, I am breathing a sigh of relief. Why? Because July is behind us!
Apple iPad and Tablet PC Options for Trade Shows
Apple iPad and Tablet PC Ideas
Back in late 90’s, Geoffery A. Moore wrote Crossing the Chasm, a book that explained how many high-tech products are purchased by early adopters. After the early adoption phase, a lull occurs before mainstream buyers purchase them — but when they do, the sales skyrocket.
For some products, this “lull” barely exists. The Apple iPad is a great example. We saw few requests for iPad stands with version 1 and 2, but now that version 3 has hit the market, we’re seeing a dramatic upswing in activity. We expect this trend to continue as more customers want iPads or tablet PCs incorporated into their trade show displays. Make no mistake. Your customers expect that you already have iPad solutions for their display. I emphasize “solutions” because there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Town Call Review: Word on the Street — July 23rd thru July 27th
With July almost past, I am beginning to question where summer has gone. In Oregon, it doesn’t begin until July 5. I’ve heard Mel’s wife refer to June in the Pacific Northwest as Junuary. Very true, particularly this year.
Well, with August around the corner, we are in full blown busy mode already. Lots and lots of designing and quoting for fall shows. Thank you all for the new opportunities both large and small, kits and custom. From what we’ve seen, some amazing work lies ahead in the coming months.
Delight and Surprise: Word on the Street — July 16th thru July 20th
Over Promise and Under Deliver
We all know the danger of “over-promising and under delivering.” In business, there are few errors that can be more damaging, particularly when trying to attract new customers or launching a new product to existing customers. Then there’s the flip side of “under promising and over delivering” which has its own risks.
Be a Student of the People Around You
Lesson #1 — Listen
I’m the new kid at Classic Exhibits, which means I’ve been welcomed and gawked at, and then placed in situations where I feel instantly stupid. That’s what happens when you’re the new kid. No one’s been mean, except for Mel, but I’ve know him for over ten years so I expect it. Fortunately, as former teacher by profession, I am student at heart, whether I’m working with rambunctious 3rd graders or a cranky 42 year old.
‘s Town Call Meeting
Please Join Us and Voice Your Opinion
Join us on Thursday, July 26 at 10 am PST / 1 pm EST for an old fashion Town Hall Meeting. Kevin, Mel, Jim, and Reid will report on changes at Classic, industry trends, and product updates. You’ll hear what’s new and what to expect this fall.
Whatever questions you have, we’ll be there to answer them. This is your chance to voice your concerns or find answers to life’s most pressing issues. Well kinda. Click on image below to register:
‘s Your Brand?: Word on the Street — July 9th thru July 13th
Feeling Inspired
I’m back from the inaugural E2MA Association / The Red Diamond Congress in Chicago. And, despite my initial misgivings, I am inspired.
Let me back up a little and explain. On Monday, I was in Chicago for the EDPA Board Meeting (Exhibit Designers and Producers Association). Like all EDPA Board meetings, it was productive — planning, industry discussion, and talks related to the growth and betterment of EDPA and the industry as whole. For anyone considering attending ACCESS 2012 in Palm Springs, it’s primed to be a stellar networking and educational event.
‘t Always Follow the Rules
Perhaps we should be more corporate, more dignified. But that’s not our style. Heck, we’re the folks with the ongoing Urban Exhibitionary ads in EXHIBITOR Online. A few of those ads have stuck a exposed nerve, like Showgasm and Bundling. Ouch!
Here’s our tongue in cheek “Help Wanted” ad in Exhibit City News for ClassicMODUL. This is for everyone who has worked with a temperamental co-worker, supplier, or customer.
My Predictions for Late Summer and Fall: Word on the Street — July 2nd thru July 6th
Gaze into My Crystal Ball
For the past four weeks, while we have been very busy with lots of traditional trade show work, we have also been working a lot on alternative markets we service through some of traditional and non-traditional distribution channels.
And while that is great! I have been looking at the activity over the past four weeks to try and get an idea of what the next busy season will bring from a trade show-only perspective.
The Right Questions to Ask When Hiring
A Good Interview is More about Conversation
Ordinarily, I dismiss articles about hiring tips, mainly because they are either simplistic, silly, impractical, or inane. This one by The New York Times contributing writer Adriana Gardella makes perfect sense. Adriana’s post appears in the The NY Times “Your the Boss” section, The Art of Running a Small Business. At Classic Exhibits, for administrative, sales, and management positions, we always conduct the first interview over the phone. It’s usually a short interview, typically about 20 minutes. Phone interviews save us time and allow us to focus on the person and personality.
Double Deck Extrusion Article in Exhibit City News
Double Deck Extrusion Exhibits are Thriving
ClassicMODUL Double Deck
Exhibit City News recently interviewed three trusted sources in the extrusion industry to get a comprehensive look at double deck exhibits. Jim Shelman, General Manager of Classic Rentals, was the spokesperson for ClassicMODUL Aluminum Extrusions. The article begins below and then links to full ECN article. Our thanks to ECN for asking us to participate.
What the Summer Brings: Word on the Street — June 25th thru June 29th
The sales doldrums of June, July, and August always bring uncertainty and opportunity. Like you, we try to use the time wisely to finish lingering projects and untapped challenges.
So far this summer, we have been busy (enough), especially with non-trade show projects, but that hasn’t prevented us from checking off items on our “To Do List.”