| The Truth about Trade Show Labor
Kudos to the folks at TS Crew, an EAC labor contractor, for this insightful video about trade show labor. The message is spot-on for trade show professionals, exhibit managers, and ALL NEWBIES to the world of trade shows and exhibitions in North America.
John Zipay Joins the Classic Exhibits Executive Team
Classic Exhibits Inc. announces the addition of John Zipay to the Classic Exhibits Executive Team. John will serve as the General Manager for Exhibits Northwest.
John has an extensive background in operations, sales, and marketing within the trade show industry. Over the past ten years, John progressed rapidly from I&D to account manager and then from VP of Operations to General Manager.
Myanmar in Photos (January 2015)
Recently, a work colleague went to Myanmar for two weeks. He started in Yangon (Rangoon), spent a few days there, and then took a week-long river cruise on the Irrawaddy to Mandalay. As you know, Myanmar has largely been a closed society until a few years ago, so tourism was limited.
We thought you might enjoy seeing some of his photos. He took hundreds, but I’ve limited it to 42. There are no descriptions, so you’ll need to use your imagination. Click on any photo to scroll through the entire gallery.
‘s — Chose 5 Designs — from Past 5 Days
We Love All Our Children But Some More Than Others
We shouldn’t have favorites when it comes to exhibit designs. But we do. And, of course, everyone has those designs they hold “near and dear.” We asked our five project managers to pick the five projects they liked best from 2014 that were featured in Past 5 Days. These were not necessarily jobs they worked on, but ones they loved on our Setup Floor.
The New Evolution: EDPA Portable Modular Summit @ EXHIBITORLive 2015
It’s only two weeks until EXHIBITORLive 2015, and there’s ONE EVENT you want to lock into your schedule. Here’s my personal invitation to the annual Portable Modular Summit.
The EDPA Portable Modular Summit — The New Evolution
The summit will be held on the show floor Tuesday March 3 at 3:30 pm, immediately after normal show hours. It will be hosted by my friend Jay Burkette from ExpoDisplays and yours truly (Kevin Carty). There’s no cost to attend.
| EXHIBITORLIVE 2015
Last week, I was attending the EDPA Las Vegas Chapter mixer at the Foundation Room in Mandalay Bay when it HIT me! EXHIBITORLIVE is less than a month away, and we have yet to cover all the Vegas Shows. So, without further adieu, let’s moonwalk.
| EXHIBITORLIVE 2015
It turns out that there are good things and not so good things to do in Las Vegas. I’ve done a few that should be kept on the down-low, like New Year’s Eve on the Strip or walking from the Stratosphere to Mandalay Bay (Trust me, get a cab!). With these follies in mind, I’ll share some “Things to Do” recommendations while at EXHIBITORLIVE.
The Best Exhibit. The One You Already Own.
There are lots of reasons to purchase a new exhibit. You may have an expanded trade show program or your company has a revised marketing focus. Or the style may simply be outdated. I won’t discourage you from buying a new display. That would be idiotic, since we design and build trade show displays.
But . . . that still doesn’t mean you should buy a new exhibit. Here’s why.
‘t Pity the Pop Up Display
Recently, I attended half a dozen trade shows, mostly small regional events where 10 x 10 booths are the norm. These are the bread and butter events in our industry, the ones that don’t get much press compared to the big electronics, medical, and construction shows. There aren’t many large exhibits. Mostly banner stands, vinyl banner signs, tube and tension fabric displays, homemade exhibits, and the ever ubiquitous pop up display.
Things You Learn from 8 Year Olds: Word on the Street — January 26th thru January 30th
8 … What an interesting age. Not quite the age where you start thinking you know everything, and not quite the age when you feel totally dependent on your parents.
Each Friday and Saturday, I am surrounded by 20 of them, including my twins, as their youth basketball coach. This includes one team of 10 boys and another of 10 girls. All 8 or approaching 8. Each week, they are a wealth of insights and lessons.
Recent Posts
” x 10% Perrrfect Specials
January and February Specials on Perfect 10
Everyone stares the first time they see a Perfect 10. It’s mesmerizing how the patented “S” appears to defy gravity. The magic of the Perfect 10 is all about creative design and smart engineering. The distinctive frame is engineered for perfect weight distribution and each functional accessory— such as the cubby, monitor mount, and dimensional signage—enhances the Perfect 10’s visual and functional balance.
Out with the Old, In with the New: Word on the Street — Dec. 26th thru Dec. 30th
I trust you enjoyed your Holiday Season and were able to recharge your batteries as we head into 2012.
As is typical, the end of the year has been BUSY, especially the past two weeks with budget dumping orders as well as projects for the first three months of the year.
Small Can Be Beautiful
I can already hear the chuckles and see the smirks. Anyone who knows me, knows it would be a stretch for me to be chosen as a forward or center on any basketball team. I barely qualify as a guard on most middle school teams. But this is not about me. It was inspired by an article in The New York Times about the unloved small car trio of the Pinto, Vega, and Gremlin (Import Fighters? No, Just Punchlines).
Happy Holidays from the Classic Family
Classic Exhibits Holiday Greeting — 2011
Trade Show Display Videos on YouTube
Trade Show Display Videos
For several years, Classic Exhibits has posted trade show display videos on YouTube. It just makes sense. After all, we’re in a visual advertising medium so why not take advantage of videos. Most are product assembly animations showing Perfect 10, Magellan Miracle, Sacagawea . . . in addition to other Classic product lines.
‘ll Never Be the Cheapest
The Cheapest
Anyone who sells a product or provides a service will invariably get asked at some point, “Why aren’t your prices lower?” That’s a tough question because the answer isn’t always what the questioner wants to hear. Frankly, everyone thinks everyone else charges too much. It’s the nature of buying and selling.
At Classic Exhibits, we get asked that question from time to time. Typically, it’s by a distributor who’s competing against an online display site like www.sittinginmybathrobe.com or www.10percentmarginsrule.com. Their prices are cheaper, sometimes significantly cheaper on basic products like pop ups, banner stands, etc.
We could apologize . . . but we won’t. We’re not selling products of similar quality and design or offering the same “take it or leave it” service. So, why are our prices our prices?
EDPA Access 2011 Review: Word on the Street — Dec. 5th thru Dec. 9th
EDPA Access Review
Success! One word that describes EDPA Access this year!
This year’s event was set at the beautiful J.W. Las Vegas Marriott Resort and Spa. It not only provided a beautiful setting, but also a nice venue for the Supplier Showcase, the networking events, and the conference sessions.
‘s Your Corporate Culture?
What’s Your Company Culture?
Every company has a culture, whether they recognize it or not. Some companies promote it as an asset. Others see it as the elephant in the room which no one discusses. Then there are those executives who speak about their culture using glowing terms like empowerment, self-actualization, and mutual respect. They talk about “open doors” when, in fact, their company could be a reality series on MTV. The infighting, politics, departmental espionage, and gossip would make a Survivor or Jersey Shore star blush.
Eco-Systems Sustainable and Classic Exhibits Partner at Greenbuild Expo
Demand for Green Exhibit Systems Increases
The October 2011 Greenbuild Conference and Expo in Toronto, Ontario drew over 23,000 attendees. Greenbuild Expo showcases innovative products and services that exemplify how to use “green” to grow businesses. With over 1,700 exhibiting companies at this year’s event, the demand for eco-friendly tradeshow exhibits was higher than ever.
The Brand Experience: Word on the Street — Nov. 21st thru Nov. 25th
Have you ever worked with a client who obsesses about “Brand Experience”? That’s been my week. We just completed a very large retail project for a client whose brand experience is just as important as their products, if not more important.
Your EDPA VIP Pass Courtesy of Classic Exhibits Inc.
Your EDPA VIP Pass Courtesy of Classic Exhibits Inc.
Access 2011 in Las Vegas
Be sure to enter the discount code “seVIP11.” Please visit us in the EDPA Product Showcase to see examples of SEG aluminum extrusions and iPad counter solutions. Kevin Carty, Jim Shelman, Reid Sherwood, and Mel White will be attending the event.
The “Seek Reid” Promotion Winners
The Winners of the “Seek Reid” Promotion
Congratulations to the winners of the “Seek Reid” promotion who found our furry fiend in Exhibit Design Search at VK-5075, a 20 x 20 island. Their names were chosen randomly from all the correct entries.
Gary Camarato, Optima Graphics
Chuck Michel, ELITeXPO
Gary and Chuck won Amazon Kindle Fire Tablets.
EDS Changes and Enhancements:
Finish What You Start: Word on the Street — Nov. 7th thru Nov. 11th
“Finish What You Start.”
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a chore assigned to us as a child or, or as an adult, a home project we start with good intentions only to let it linger. Your parents and now your spouse is rarely sympathetic. There’s a darn good chance they’ll launch into the “Finish what you start” speech.
EDPA Access 2011 — Why Classic Exhibits Participates: Word on the Street — Oct. 31st thru Nov. 4th
And Why You Should Too
For several years now, Classic Exhibits Inc. has been a very active participant in EDPA and the EDPA Access event held every year. Proudly I might add. Often we are asked by distributors, vendors, and other service providers why we feel the event is so important. So I thought I would share the reasons why we go, in part to persuade those who have been on the fence about attending this year.
Happy Holiday Exhibit Specials (November and December)
Magellan Hybrid Specials
Hold on to your dentures Grandma! We discounted 15 upscale Magellan Hybrid Designs — 15% off msrp. This is a first. We’ve never offered a 15% discount on hybrid displays before.
And these aren’t your ho-hum, get me a rocking chair displays. They’re the trade show equivalent of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years Eve in one amazing package! Get that mistletoe ready because you’ll want to kiss us every time you show a customer one of these sweet deals.