Price Changes in Exhibit Design Search
It’s May… and there doesn’t appear to be any slowdown in designs, quotes, and orders. So thanks as always.
Effective today, you will see modest price changes in EDS. Yes, the dreaded price increase. No one likes them, but they are a reality. I have taken a deep dive the past two months reviewing our pricing and costing.
Design Monday and Mike Swartout
If you read Kevin’s moving tribute to Mike Swartout last week, you know how much he meant to the Classic Family. What you may not know is how much he sweated over Design Monday.
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.
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.
Seth Godin’s 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 Modular 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?”
EXHIBITORLIVE — Thumbs Up & Thumbs Down
We’re back from an early EXHIBITORLIVE 2016 this year. While it’s still fresh on my mind, I thought I’d share a few Thumbs Ups and Thumbs Downs. the Gravitee Modular System was the Belle of the Ball.
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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:
What’s Your Brand? Word on the Street — July 9th thru July 13th
Feeling Inspired. 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.”
Did You Miss Out? SKU & You Webinars are Online
A few weeks ago, Classic Exhibits hosted three educational webinars about silicone edge graphics (SEG), hybrid exhibits, and trade show island designs. The response was extremely positive. For those who missed these webinars, here’s your chance to experience them via the magic of YouTube and GoToWebinar. We hope you enjoy and welcome your comments.
Designer Design Tips fro Sales-cessful Island Exhibits
A Hybrid is a Hybrid is a Hybrid
What’s All the Hub-Bub about Silicone Edge Graphics
Tony Bennett Joins Classic Exhibits to Launch the Web Development Department
Web Development Department
[tbennett-medium]
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett, an experienced web developer, joins the Classic Exhibits Inc. to launch the Web Development Department. The Web Development Department was formed to assist Classic Distributors with the creation, revision, and maintenance of their websites.
As a designer, Tony has created custom and open source based content management systems dependent on project needs. He has assisted clients with search engine optimization strategies to drive more web traffic to their sites, performed necessary hardware and software maintenance on local web servers, and worked to develop web solutions which best fit the customer’s needs.
Jen LaBruzza, Western Regional Manager: Word on the Street — June 18th thru June 22nd
Classic Exhibits Inc. welcomes Jen LaBruzza to Classic Exhibits Inc. as the Western Regional Manager. Jen will be responsible for meeting and consulting with distributors throughout the West for Classic Exhibits, ClassicMODUL Aluminum Extrusions, and Classic Rentals. Jen LaBruzza has 20 years of experience in and around the trade show industry.
Club 815 for Cancer: Word on the Street — June 11th thru June 15th
Every year I embark on a 100 mile bike ride to raise money through the Livestrong Foundation for Cancer Research.
Well, this year I recruited some friends and together we have decided to help one of our own: Mike Swartout, Director of Design at Classic Exhibits Inc. Most know Mike, are friends with Mike, and some even call him family.
This September, employees from Classic Exhibits, Optima Graphics, Creative Dimensions, and Greg Garrett Designs will go the distance for one of their own — literally.
Four Steps to Being a Grateful Boss
When it comes to management theory, there’s the Donald Trump School of Management, the School of Love, Meditation, and Crystals, and then there’s the School of What Really Happens when the Rubber Meets the Road. We try to do the right thing, and generally, that means following some form of The Golden Rule. Tom Cox, a consultant who coaches CEOs on how to boost performance by building workplace trust, suggests this practical, if often overlooked, advice: gratitude.
Pajama Jockeys
What I’m about to discuss will make some of you really mad and some of you really, really happy. I’m not sure whether to point the finger at the trade show industry, manufacturers, distributors, or exhibitors.
Over the years, I’ve written about trade show marketing from multiple angles. I don’t pretend to be an expert. Unlike you, I’m not on the front lines working with clients, nor am I attending a dozen trade shows every year. On the other hand, I have the luxury of seeing your projects everyday and hearing from you, our designers, and our project managers about your orders and your client’s goals.