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.

Mi Design NOT Su Design: Word on the Street — June 22nd thru June 26th

Mi Design NOT Su Design: Word on the Street — June 22nd thru June 26th

Protecting your Intellectual Property is nothing new (IP). Companies of all sizes are faced with companies (and governments) stealing their designs and ideas. Some folks view it as a way of doing business — leveraging the work of others for their own professional gain or sales. I once attended a business symposium, and the featured speaker of a Fortune 1000 company blatantly said his company doesn’t invest in R&D. They borrow the work of others. It was shocking to hear.

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Alaskan Cruise Photos

Alaskan Cruise Photos

Several weeks ago, Cynthia Geddis, a Project Manager in our Customer Service Department, took a seven-day Alaskan cruise from Seattle on the Princess Line with her husband. For those who have never been on an Alaskan cruise, we thought you might enjoy seeing photos.

Yes, it’s a bit like you would would expect — eagles, glaciers, fiords, icebergs, totem poles, etc — but her photos take the expected and make them unexpected. Excellent shots of Mendenhall Glacier, Ketchikan, Skagway, shy whales, and some freaky big crabs. Our thanks to Cynthia for sharing these with us.

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Sacagawea 100-Day Guarantee (Seriously!)

Sacagawea 100-Day Guarantee (Seriously!)

Effective immediately, Sacagawea, our most popular portable hybrid display, comes with a 100-Day Guarantee. Yes, that’s our promise. “You’ll Love It — Or We’ll Take It Back.” Fill it with gas, rev the engine, and drive it around the block a couple of times at a trade show. There’s never been a “Love It” return policy for a tradeshow display… until now.

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Introducing the NEW Unbranded Exhibit Design Search

Introducing the NEW Unbranded Exhibit Design Search

Most Classic Exhibits distributors have the branded version of Exhibit Design Search (EDS), but some tap into our unbranded EDS websites. Many of you may be unfamiliar with the unbranded versions. These sites have the same features as your branded EDS site except the communication tools — Contact Us, Share, and Request a Design — point to Classic Exhibits. Why? Because they have to point somewhere.

Last week, the two Unbranded Versions were updated with larger images, a revised menu, and some interesting animations. To see the two versions — one with and one without prices — click on the links below.

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Join Us @ 2015 Red Diamond Congress

Join Us @ 2015 Red Diamond Congress

You are cordially invited to the 2015 Red Diamond Congress from July 20-22 in Quincy, MA. The RDC provides education, information, and networking opportunities for Exhibit and Event Marketers Association members and industry colleagues. It also explores new models, new methods, and new practices for the entire community of exhibit and event industry professionals.

Classic Exhibits is proud to be an official sponsor of the Red Diamond Congress. Should you have any questions, please contact Jim Wurm at E2MA (jimwurm@e2ma.org) or feel free to email or call me, Mel White, at Classic Exhibits. See you there!

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Inline Exhibit GiftCard Promotion

Inline Exhibit GiftCard Promotion

Earn GiftCards this summer from Classic Exhibits. The Gimme the GiftCard promotion includes all inline exhibits sold between May 18 and July 31. Classic Distributors earn $25 for every $1000 wholesale on inline orders. Choose from hundreds of retailers at www.giftcardmall.com. See details for an exclusions, such as rentals.

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Pedestals and Workstations and Counters! Oh My!

Do you remember last year’s trade show debacle? The booth staff complained about the lack of storage. The marketing manager wondered where and how to demo your company’s product. Especially embarrassing was the aimless wandering of potential clients.

This year is different. You included, at the suggestion of your exhibit designer, pedestals, workstations and a reception area. They are the unsung workhorses of any exhibit, easy to overlook during planning, but always missed during a show.

” 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.

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).

‘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.

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.

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.

7 Mistakes Exhibitors Make

Are You (or Your Customers) Making These Mistakes?

Here’s the second in a series of 3 videos outlining the “7 Mistakes Exhibitors Make.” In Part 2, trade show consultant and author Marlys Arnold covers three mistakes exhibitors make regarding booth staff and how to avoid them. Click here to view this 6-minute video on YouTube.