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.
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.
A BRILLIANT Video about the Trade Show Service Desk. Very Funny!
They Did It Again!
Another spectacular video from the folks at TS Crew. Pass it along. It should seriously go viral. That’s how good it is. Well done guys and gals. I’m already sharpening my pencil for you to win an Eddie Award for outstanding marketing at EDPA in November. “Costman” — What a hoot!!!!
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.
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.
Top 50 Trends Affecting Trade Shows and Events in 2015
GES published their 2015 Trend Tracker Report where they list the Top 50 Trends in trade shows and events. The trends are divided into four categories: Budgeting and Planning, Marketing, Technology, and Design. It’s short — only six pages if you exclude the GES ad — and it’s worth sharing.
SKU-Tastic!: Word on the Street — May 18th-May 22nd
Last week was not your normal May at Classic Exhibits. Why?
We held our most recent edition of Shared Knowledge University (SKU), Classic’s bi-annual distributor training session.
This SKU was so great that my friend Dave Brown from Optima coined the term “SKU-Tastic!” I wholeheartedly agree.
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!
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.
All Eco-systems Sustainable Inlines/Islands are on SALE!
Vacation is two weeks away… for your kids! BUT you still have to go to work, punch the clock, and sell displays. It’s never easy this time of year, but our friends at Eco-systems have a solution. In May, June, and July, all inlines and islands are on sale. Plus, you can win cash. As in $111. See the details and contact Matt Wish (matt@ecosystemsdisplays.com) for a version you can email to your client database.
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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.
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.
Put Me in Coach: Word on the Street — Oct. 17th thru Oct. 21st
We’ve All Been There
We’ve all been in the position where we’ve been trying to get “that one account” for . . . forever. You patiently wait, all the while maintaining contact and slowly building a relationship, biding your time until the current vendor makes a mistake or there’s a project they either can’t do or aren’t willing to try.
Ten “Guaranteed” Techniques to Get Traffic to Your Booth
What Can I Do to Increase Traffic to My Booth?
I get asked this a lot. I explain the importance of selecting the right show, meticulous pre-show planning, careful graphic messaging, and booth sales training. They nod and say “Yes,” “Uh huh,” “OK,” and “Of course!” But I’m no fool. I can hear their disappointment and reluctance. All that takes time, energy, planning, and a dash of creativity. In other words, it’s too much work.
The Industry Gives Back: Word on the Street — Oct. 10th thru Oct. 14th
andy Smith Memorial Golf Classic Follow Up
On Monday, October 10, hundreds of industry professionals gathered in Atlanta to honor those who are either going through medical hardships, lost their battles, or lost loved ones to sickness or accidents.
Like years past, it proved to be a highly emotionally charged event. And this year Classic Exhibits had one of their own honored, Mike Swartout, our Director of Design, who is currently battling stage 4 prostate cancer.
‘t Make Sense
I’m about to become a heretic. Get those $6 bottles of convention hall Aquafina and Dasani ready. It’s the closest thing we have to holy water.
Since the mid-90s when I fell into the trade show biz, I’ve been conditioned to believe that every organization benefits from a well-planned trade show marketing program. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Fortune 500 Goliath operating on seven continents or a three person non-profit in Elizabethtown, KY.
Yub Nub: Word on the Street — Oct. 3rd thru Oct. 7th
Ewokese
It’s the language of Ewoks of course. But that’s not really what I am hear to talk about. No! As many of you know, this past week we launched a new “Find Reid” contest. Last time we celebrated Reid’s love affair with the with the 60’s fro. This time we revealed a little more about our little fury friend that we have all come to love and respect. Seek the Sherwok . . . an endearing creature from the land of Newaygo.
Seek Reid the Ewok — Win an Amazon Kindle Fire!
Classic Distributors: Seek Reid the Ewok in EDS
Locate Reid Sherwood on Classic Exhibits’ Exhibit Design Search to win one of two Amazon Kindle Fire Tablets. To be eligible, send your correct answer to Mel White by Friday, October 21.
The Elevator Pitch: Word on the Street — Sept. 26th thru Sept. 30th
The Elevator Pitch
Let me start of by saying that I am NOT very good at this! But, it is something I strive to improve on and a skill that I admire in others.
If you don’t know what I am referring to, it is based on the idea of stepping into an elevator with someone and saying something clearly and succinctly in a compressed time frame. Depending on the number of floors in the building, you may only have 2, 5, or 10 minutes max. It’s a cool concept and applies to business interactions everyday — whether you’re on an elevator, a plane, in a meeting, or at a social gathering.