Deep Thoughts from the E2MA Red Diamond Congress
I attended the E2MA Red Diamond Congress in Boston last week — my third time at this annual two-day conference. The RDC is a small, but growing, group of stakeholders in the event and tradeshow industry which includes show organizers, general contractors, associations, distributors, tradeshow managers, suppliers, and labor.
When Technology Bites: Word on the Street — July 20th thru July 24th
I love technology! But sometimes, I fear, we miss the basics, the commonsense in our effort to make things more efficient and streamlined — like what makes sense. For example…
Last week I met with a transportation company, one of the well-known Big TWO. At the beginning of 2015, this carrier introduced a slick handing system in their sorting facilities replacing the old system that required someone to manually check measurements on larger packages.
Mid-Year Review: Word on the Street — July 13th thru July 17th
I am writing this a few weeks late, but in fairness, there’s a lot going on at Classic Exhibits.
It’s been an exciting 2015, thanks to you, our loyal and creative distributors. Orders have been ALL ACROSS THE BOARD. So let’s review the highlights, identify some trends, and share a few stories.
The year started with a bang. January set the tone after a busy late December. It was clear we were going to be in for a wild ride filled with growth, unique challenges, and a mixture of tradeshow, event, retail, and permanent install projects.
Under $3K to $25K Display Brochures
I’m getting old, but not too old to learn from my mistakes. Over the past year, I’ve largely ignored printed sales collateral as a tool for Classic Distributors. That’s not to say we haven’t created high quality PDF’s (such as Tablet Stands and OTM Neo and Express Furniture), but they have been mostly promotional sheets, not product line sheets. My feeling was — It’s all online on the Classic website or in Exhibit Design Search.
New Charging Stations — Q&A Video with Kevin and Mel
When we introduced our newest Charging Stations at EXHIBITORLIVE, we expected them to do well. Our definition of “well” should probably change to “Yowsa!” They’ve been a big hit. As with any new product, there are questions so Kevin and Mel sat down for a casual Q&A video about the charging stations.
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.
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.
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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.
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.