Top 10 Trade Show Rental Designs (2015)
When I started in the this business, waaaayyyyyy back when folding panel systems and pop ups were duking it out for design supremacy, rentals were an afterthought. Really a non-thought. The Great Recession changed that. Rentals are now HUGE. And CUSTOMIZED. And BEAUTIFUL. At least those from Classic Rental Solutions.
Backlit Retail Kiosk with Monitor Mount and iPad Insert
Classic Exhibits designed and built these Backlit Retail Kiosks for an auto dealership. The kiosks include a large monitor connected to an iPad, USB charging connections, LED lighting, vinyl graphics, and a backlit SEG fabric graphic.
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.”
2015 Annual State of the Company Letter
We started the year on an upswing with a record-breaking Q1 across all divisions at Classic, including ENW, ClassicMODUL, and Rentals. There were several promising trends — some new, others cultivated in 2012-2014 but coming to fruition in 2015.
Custom Charging Station with Programmable RGB Lights
Custom Charging Stations with Programmable RGB LED lights. This bistro-style table includes (8) USB ports, two electrical outlets, and perimeter LED lights. Note the graphic branding on the counter top.
This is a custom variation of the MOD-1432 Bistro Charging Station.
Design Monday — 560 Weeks and Counting
It’s been 10+ years, starting with April 18, 2005. This week represents the 560th weekly Design Monday with over 1300 individual designs. During that time, we missed a week here and there — usually on a holiday — but only 3-4 at most.
EDPA ACCESS 2015 Recap: Word on the Street — Dec. 7th thru Dec. 11th
2015 EDPA ACCESS was held at the Red Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. First, standing ovation to the ACCESS team for choosing one of the top three locations ever. For those unable to attend, I wanted to share a recap of this event, an annual favorite of mine.
EXHIBITOR People’s Choice Voting
Three years ago when EXHIBITOR announced the Portable/Modular Awards, we were delighted. These display categories deserved recognition for design excellence.
Tradeshow Marketing Video Series
Tim Patterson, aka The Tradeshow Guy, has released an excellent video series which highlights chapters in his new book — 14 Proven Steps to Take Your Tradeshow Marketing to the Next Level. The digital version is available free or you can purchase it at Amazon for $19.95.
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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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!
Happy Memorial Day: Word on the Street — May 21st thru May 25th
While we are all enjoying a long weekend, I hope that we do not forget the reason behind this Memorial Day Weekend: Remembering those who have served and or lost their lives serving our country.
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.
In the “Old Days” . . . .
It was Better Back When (Except When It Wasn’t)
The trade show market seems to be back, maybe not with a vengeance, but certainly with a nice steady fire. (Yes I know all the fire comments are coming — but hey, I asked for it.) Classic Distributors haven’t complained recently about business, but they have all said, “It’s good, but still not like the old days.”
SKU…What a Pisser: Word on the Street — April 23rd thru April 27th
What a Pisser
If you attended Shared Knowledge University, you know what I am talking about. 🙂
This past week we held Shared Knowledge University (SKU) training at Classic. Based on the early feedback, I think it was a success. We had 24 wonderful distributors from as far east as Albany, New York, as far south as New Orleans, and as close as Las Vegas and Orange County.
From “8 Core Beliefs of Extraordinary Bosses”
I thought I’d share a great article in www.inc.com. in case you didn’t see it. Be sure to read the comments for differing opinions. Steve Jobs? — an extraordinary boss or just “a bully with a vision”?
According to Geoffrey James in Inc.com, “The best managers have a fundamentally different understanding of workplace, company, and team dynamics.”
Shared Knowledge University (SKU): Word on the Street — April 16th thru April 20th
Class is in Session
For seven years, we have been committed to “Shared Success”! The concept is simple: What can we do to make our distributors better and to help them be more successful. Their success, in turn, makes us more successful. It requires listening, sharing, and implementing ideas to serve you and your customers.
Trade Show Marketing Insights from Marlys Arnold, the ImageSpecialist
If you visited our booth at EXHIBITOR 2012, you probably met Marlys Arnold. Known as the ImageSpecialist, Marlys travels the country consulting and training both exhibitors and show managers, and is the author of Build a Better Trade Show Image (2002), host of the Trade Show Insights blog-cast, and creator of the ExhibitorEd Success System.
Excellent Posts on www.tradeshowguyblog.com
Social Media and Trade Show Marketing
Our friend Tim Patterson at www.tradeshowguyblog.com continues to amaze me. If you are fascinated about the intersection of Social Media and Trade Show Marketing, there’s no better source than his site. Here are some recent posts including one where he reviews his work with Classic Exhibits and EXHIBITOR.
Education for the Future of our Industry: Word on the Street — March 26th thru March 30th
EDPA Foundation Scholarship
I have been fortunate to sit on the EDPA Foundation Scholarship Committee for many years. It’s something near and dear to my heart: education and supporting those within our industry getting their Education.
To date, the EDPAF Scholarship Committee has awarded nearly $110,000 in scholarships! Isn’t that awesome!! And its gone to a myriad of people from the kids of industry employees, industry employees themselves, as well as spouses who have chosen to further their education.