Trade Show Tales Blog

Trade Show Tales is your comprehensive guide to informative articles about trade show marketing, exhibit industry news, promotions, and updates on Classic Exhibits. 

For specific topics, use the Search Tool in the blog or visit the Trade Show and Event Tips in Exhibit Design Search.

Classic Rental Rewards Winners

Classic Rental Rewards Winners

Several years ago, the Classic Rental Solutions Division had a problem. A large percentage of our returns were coming back with significant damage and/or missing components. We weren’t sure what to do, but we knew we had to do something. We couldn’t restock those components since our policy has always been “If it doesn’t look like new, we won’t ship it. Period.”

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25 Ways to Cut Costs at Your Next Trade Show

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.

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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.

iPad Kiosks and Summer Specials: Word on the Street — May 28th thru June 1st

June, July, (and August) Specials

Table Top Savings

Save 10% on select Table Top Displays including Sacagawea, Perfect 10, SEGUE, and Intro. These are some of our most innovative table tops, which we’ve never discounted before. But, it’s summer in Portland, OR, and we’re apt to lose our sanity after not seeing the sun for nine months. 20 kits total. Be sure to check out the quick, easy, and inexpensive iPad option for Intro Fabric Table Tops. So very, very simple. So very smart.

Sacagawea Video from Evo Exhibits

Kevin Fett, one of the owners of Evo Exhibits in Chicago, passed along this video of the Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Display. We liked it so much, we wanted to give you a chance to see it too. It’s a good mix of time lapse assembly and a soft sales pitch on the features and benefits of this portable system.

According to Kevin, “Thought I’d share a video of Susan Johnson putting up a Sacagawea in time lapse. Susan is 5’0″ — so we thought it would be cool to see her put one up by herself.”

Well done Kevin, Susan, and the entire Evo Exhibits team. Enjoy everyone!

How to Win a Gold Medal at Your Next Trade Show

The Sochi Winter Olympics is just around the corner. We love watching the competition — who wins, who loses, and the inspiring stories about athletes who participate but do not win a gold, silver, or bronze medal. Athletes want to win, even if they know it’s a long shot, so they plan, prepare, and train for a chance to stand on the podium. No one prepares for the Olympics just to win a participation trophy.

Trade shows are no different. For anyone new to trade show marketing, here’s a tip no one’s ever going to share with you. You can waste A TON of MONEY participating in trade shows if you don’t know what you are doing.

‘s: Word on the Street — May 14th thru May 18th

Getting it Done in 75 Days

It’s that time of year –mid-May– when at home or at the office, you find yourself tackling projects that have been accumulating in that “to-do” list. You know the ones! They start accumulating in mid-January when it’s too cold, but we’ll get to them when we have a little more time.

SKU & You: Word on the Street

Shared Knowledge University & You

About this time of year, we normally send the Classic Distributor Network a survey with 15-18 questions. Not this time. We have cleared our schedule on June 12, 13, and 14 to connect with you. We’ll talk, we’ll listen, we’ll learn, and we’ll find answers together.

“New and Improved” Peek-a-Booth — More Webcams!

The New and Improved Peek-a-Booth

Peeking just got better. We added another camera in the Purchase Set-up Area for a total of three. Plus, we added two to the Rental Set-up Area. The Purchase and Rental areas are on opposite ends of the Classic Exhibits facility.

The Dirtiest Word in the RFP Process: Word on the Street — April 30th thru May 4th

Earmuffs Kids . . .

“BUDGET!” There I said it! The dirty word that none of us like to discuss when starting a new design. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Let me be so cavalier as to suggest that we rip the band-aid off when we first start the design. Don’t get me wrong, make sure you introduce yourself and show the client around your place a little or let them show you around theirs . . . whichever applies.