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.
More Changes! Exhibit Design Search
Get a Distributor-branded Exhibit Design Search for your website. Only $300. We do the work. You get the credit. Give Jen, Reid, or Mel a call for more information.
SKU and Me: Word on the Street — Nov.9th thru Nov. 13th
Twice a year, we invite 30-40 distributors from around the country to learn about all things Classic Exhibits and several strategic partners. This past week was our Fall 2015 session.
It’s Personal. Our New Custom Exhibit Gallery
We created Custom Exhibit Gallery on the Classic website, not in EDS. It’s very similar to our Retail Gallery and Graphic Inspiration Galleries. All are are meant to show you our full design and production capabilities.
Perfect 10 Promotional Materials
We love it when distributors re-purpose Classic’s marketing materials. This week, Atlantic Exhibits sent an email broadcast promoting Perfect 10 Portable Hybrid Displays. Not only is the P10 on sale thorough 11/27, but it also carries the 100-Day Return Guarantee. It’s the PERFECT One-two punch product as you head into the holiday season.
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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.
Something for (Almost) Nothing — FREE Pop Up Panels
For Classic Distributors Only
Typically, we wouldn’t post this information in a blog, but this is our way of rewarding our loyal blog and LinkedIn followers. We have an inventory of Quadro S and Quadro EO Pop Up fabric panels in discontinued fabrics. We have been holding onto them, just in case a customer needed them, but now it’s time to do a Spring Cleaning.
The following fabric panels, complete with magnet and hanger and kicker strips, are FREE. First come. First serve (within limits). Simply email me at the address below. You’ll have to pay for packaging ($35 wholesale per box) and shipping, but there’s no other obligation. We’ve even eliminated all the fun of haggling, unless you count the packaging fee (which is non-negotiable). Perfect for the kindergartener who needs a durable sleeping mat. 😉
New Outdoor Display Products Gallery
We love to share good news about Exhibit Design Search.
There’s a brand new gallery in EDS — Outdoor Display Products. This Optima Graphics gallery includes 11 popular outdoor products, such as Banshee, Kapow, Ridgeline, and Valet. There’s even a listing for Event Tents. As with many of the new features in EDS, the gallery was added at the request of several Classic Distributors. And the timing couldn’t be better with Spring at hand and Summer just a few months away. Our thanks to Gary Camarato at Optima for all his hard work on this gallery.
“‘m So Sweaty!”: Word on the Street — March 19th thru March 23rd
Is it Just Me?
As many of you know I have twins, Nicholas and Presley. They are five now, and while they have always provided comic relief, they seem to be taking it to a whole new level. This week, rather than talk about business, I want to share a story that recently happened at home.
An Exceptional Video from Display Supply and Lighting (DS&L)
Display Supply and Lighting Video
Rob Cohen, from Display Supply and Lighting (a Strategic Partner of Classic Exhibits) sent us this video. It’s so well done that we just had to share. Here’s a summary what you’ll see, along with a little “smooth salesmanship” from Mr. Rob.
‘s a New Regime in Town: Word on the Street — March 12 thru March 16
As you all know, I think EXHIBITOR Show 2012 was AMAZING. But it did not go off without a hitch. It had nothing to do with the organizers. They did a fantastic job! It had to do with the local union steward unfortunately.
Here is the deal. There is a new regime in the local Las Vegas union, which at first glance and given the economic hardships of the past three years would lead you to believe that positive change is coming. Unfortunately NO. And to make matters worse, the union leadership decided to flex their muscle at an industry event. To me that is counter intuitive, but to them it made perfect sense. Let me explain.
What Really Goes On at Conventions in Vegas
I’m back from EXHIBITOR, jazzed about the trade show industry and excited about what 2012 brings . . . then I stumble into this story in BusinessWeek.com. Joe Stein, the author, agreed to go to seven conventions in three days in Las Vegas. That’s just plain crazy. Heck, I can’t even go to seven fast food joints in three days without suffering from intestinal rumba.
Nevertheless, it’s a good read . . . even if he takes the easy path with some very, very broad generalizations.
EXHIBITOR 2012…What a SHOW!: Word on the Street — March 5th thru March 9th
Goosies!
To steal a phrase from J-LO (yes, I said J-LO) . . . EXHIBITOR 2012 gave me goosies! 🙂
Let’s start on March 5 at 11:30 am. Normally the Classic Crew would be standing in the booth waiting for the doors to open and for the first attendees to arrive. But we weren’t! We weren’t because starting at 10:30 am we already had other exhibitors (most of which were customers) in our booth looking around, admiring the Classic Exhibits booth, and eager to learn about what we were showing this year.
‘s Showtime: Word on the Street — Feb. 27th thru March 2nd
It’s Showtime!
Classic Exhibits and its family of companies is ready to show at EXHIBITOR 2012. We look forward to seeing you at booth #1645 this week.
The exhibit installed Friday and Saturday and looks amazing. Special thanks to James and Corey from Exhibits NW who led the set-up charge. And special thanks to Chris Griffin and the men from TS Crew for their stellar work.
Our Final Pre-EXHIBITOR2012 Video
EXHIBITOR Video #3
EXHIBITOR2012 is less than a week, and Tim Patterson, the intrepid “Tradeshow Guy” reporter, made a surprise visit at Classic. Up until now, we’ve held our cards close to our chest regarding the booth design and graphics. However . . . Being coy was no longer an option with Tim planted in the setup area asking questions.
Here’s your chance to see the structure about midway through assembly. Kevin and Mel discuss the concept in more detail and invite you to the booth where you can meet Tim and Marlys Arnold, our trade show marketing gurus.
Three GREAT Articles and One Video: Word on the Street — Feb. 20th thru Feb. 24th
Good Reads. One Silly Video.
With EXHIBITOR 2012 looming, this has been a hectic week. Not only are we working on the final touches for our EXHIBITOR booth, but we are also processing a TON of orders! Not sure if you found yourself on the Peek-A-Booth cams this week, but if you did, you know what I mean.
Classic Exhibits: EXHIBITOR 2012 Video — Part 2
From Tim Patterson (a.k.a. the Tradeshow Guy):
“Still on the track of what the heck Classic Exhibits is up to for EXHIBITOR 2012 (March 4-8, 2012 at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas). I made another quick visit to their manufacturing facility this week. The result? A disagreement among the bigwigs, a rescue by a new designer, and the ‘inside scoop’ (perhaps!) from a Russian . . . “
EXHIBITOR 2012 Classic Video: Word on the Street — Feb 13th thru Feb. 17th
EXHIBITOR 2012 Video
Here’s a video about our booth, the first in a series leading up to the EXHIBITOR 2012 Show. We’re working with Tim Patterson, otherwise known as “The Tradeshow Guy.” You’ve probably read his wonderful blog, www.tradeshowguy.com. This video reveals two concepts, one proposed by me and the other by Mel White, our VP of Marketing and Business Development.
Smarter, Faster, Cheaper Solutions for your Trade Show Program
Earlier this month, I attended a Distributor Open House where over 200 customers came to see the latest exhibit trends and services. I was fortunate to participate in a 45 minute panel session entitled Smarter, Faster, Cheaper Solutions for your Trade Show Program. I thought I’d share those trends with you. The first five (Show Floor Trends) came from an Independent Labor Contractor. The next five or so (Design and Manufacturing Trends) came from Classic Exhibits. The last five (Smarter, Strategic Behaviors) came from the Distributor.
Open Letter to Custom Houses: Word on the Street — Feb 6th thru Feb. 10th
n Open Letter
This week I want to address a particular group in our industry: Custom Houses.
Classic Exhibits has been in business since 1993. Over those years, Custom Houses have been some of our best customers, not only for Classic Exhibits, but also for ClassicMODUL and Classic Rentals. For that we are very thankful. But I have a question for this group — How do you view “system sales” and manufacturing as we roll into 2012? Whether it’s simple systems like a pop-up, modular systems like the Euro LT Laminate, or more complex systems like custom hybrids?