CEIR Predict Conference Summary: Word on the Street — September 8th thru September 12th
Kudos to Rachel Wimberly on her comprehensive summation of the CEIR Predict Conference on September 11, 2014 in Chicago. If you did not read it, here is the link to the full article from TSNN.
https://www.tsnn.com/news-blogs/ceir-predict-conference-trade-show-industry-track-positive-growth-20152016
10 Things Bosses Never Tell Employees, But Should: Word on the Street — September 1st thru September 5th
I have been thinking all week about what to write. Several thoughts came to mind, usually influenced by “in the moment circumstances,” but none seemed to hit me just right. Then, a LinkedIn Pulse hit my inbox, one I felt compelled to share.
The Magnificent, Magical Middle of Trade Show Displays
The middle is the sweet spot in trade show displays. I offers customers value, quality, and personalization through design and customization. Classic Exhibits understands the middle market better than any other manufacturer. We design and build mid-priced displays with features, shapes, and quality not found in lesser displays.
197 Miles of Painful Bliss! The Hood to Coast Relay
On August 22, 2014 @ 3:30 a.m. 12 whackos and 2 dedicated drivers woke up to take on a challenge, one that they called FUN. I am one of those whackos — the Chief Whacko if you will.
The event is called Hood to Coast, aka …The Mother of All Relays. It’s an event in which 12 people with two support drivers and two vans run 197 miles from about 6000 feet on Mt. Hood to the beautiful Oregon Coast, Seaside, Oregon to be specific.
Dealing with Conflict. Are You an Elephant?: Word on the Street — August 11th thru August 15th
Is there an elephant in your office? If you don’t see one, it might be YOU!
An observation was recently shared with me. The context was leadership and dealing with conflict, and how leaders handle or don’t handle conflict in the workplace. The speaker said, “Show me the leader that doesn’t confront conflict, and I’ll show you the biggest elephant in the room.”
![How Your Eyes Move on a Website [Cool Inforgraphic]](https://www.classicexhibits.com/tradeshow-blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/how-your-eyes-move-on-a-website-infographic-internet-marketing-with-blog-optimization.png)
How Your Eyes Move on a Website [Cool Inforgraphic]
Single Grain designed this excellent infographic that explains:
How our eyes move on a website or blog,
How web design influences eye movement and interaction, and
Proposes tips for creating an effective website design.
Hot Hot Hot!: Word on the Street — August 4th thru August 8th
Summer Business
There is a heat wave in the Pacific NW. I mean HOT . . . at least for us. Mid-80’s to mid-90’s kinda HOT. Which if you have ever lived or visited here, you know we don’t get that very often.
Now for the cheesy segue. All this HOT weather has me thinking we are living in the Islands, and wouldn’t you know it, we are building and quoting A LOT of islands right now.
Vibrant Color and Stunning Contrast Gallery
Several months ago, Glenna Martin, our Graphic Design Manager, created the first Graphic Inspiration Gallery — Graphics that Complement the Display. Glenna pulled 38 Past 5 Days photos to show effective examples of structure and graphics. If you haven’t read her notes, I urge you to review them. You may want to consider directing graphic designers to the galleries if they are unfamiliar with trade show graphics.
RDC Innovation Day — Day 2 Notes
Day 2 (Innovation Day)
It was a day of epiphanies at the Red Diamond Congress about the trade show industry. Bob McClintock, COO of SMG, gave the morning keynote: A New Facility Model: Facility as Service Provider. I know. The title sounds pretty boring, but the topic and the speaker were anything but. SMG manages McCormick Place, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and 70 other venues.
RDC Innovation Day — Day 1 Notes
I’m in Chicago this week for the E2MA Red Diamond Congress. For those unfamiliar with the Exhibit and Event Marketers Association and the RDC . . .
The E2MA is a community of exhibit and event marketers driven to benchmark the value of face-to face marketing. By facilitating discussions among all industry stakeholders, the E2MA’s Red Diamond Congress develops actionable ideas and solutions that can provide for industry growth and success.
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Shooting from the Hip — 16.10 (EDPA Access)
The Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) held its annual meeting a few weeks ago – ACCESS 2010. Mel and I attended as the representatives of Classic Exhibits and ClassicMODUL. The meetings are held at a warm weather resort the week after Thanksgiving. It starts on Wednesday with a golf tournament or a fishing trip for the non-golfers (I always play golf since I can fish in ice in Michigan but can’t golf in it).
Word on the Street — December 13th thru December 17th
Are You Ready for the Most “Predictably Unpredictable” Two Weeks of the Year?
Sounds odd doesn’t it? But anyone who has been in this business long enough knows what I mean. The final two to three weeks of the year are like playing Roulette. The odds aren’t good, but if you put enough chips on the table, you may hit a ginormous winner.
Optima Graphics Wins the Golden Ham Award
Congratulations to our friends at Optima Graphics for winning the Golden Ham Award at the 2010 EDPA Access Conference in Ponte Verdra, FL. Dave Brown and Gina Porcaro are the feature actors in this one-minute spoof of a Progressive Insurance commercial.
Word on the Street — December 6th thru December 10th
Industry Predictions 2011 — Part 2
First let me say, “Hello!” With vacation and the holiday, I have been gone recently and as a result have not blogged for weeks. But I am back at the office now, and I would like to dovetail on Mel’s entry back in mid-November regarding 2011 industry predictions. So here are my thoughts . . .
Kevin Carty Elected to the EDPA Board of Directors
During the 2010 EDPA ACCESS meeting Kevin Carty, Vice President of Sales for Classic Exhibits Inc. was welcomed as a newest elected member to the EDPA’s Board of Directors with an initial two year term. Kevin and Classic Exhibits/ClassicMODUL are very active within the exhibit industry as members of not only EDPA but also TSEA (Trade Show Exhibitors Association) and HCEA (Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association) .
Shooting from the Hip — 15.10 (I am Thankful)
Things for Which I am Thankful
It has been a while since I blogged. It wasn’t that I didn’t have anything to say, but I didn’t have anything to say that mattered. Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I will reflect a bit on those things for which I’m thankful for with a bit more nostalgia than normal. These are in no particular order except the last one.
Word on the Street — November 15th thru November 19th
As we head into the holidays, I thought I’d put on my clairvoyant hat and peer into my crystal ball. It doesn’t take a fortune teller to know that 2011 is already on your mind. You’re wondering if the exhibit industry will plod along like a Clydesdale, sprint like Quarter Horse, or remain stubborn and unpredictable like a mule.
FAQ — Design Monday Exhibits
In Design Monday, you’ll see inlines and islands, portables and modulars, banner stands and hanging signs. Three new exciting designs each week from the best exhibit designers.
When it’s all about pushing the boundaries of creative design, everything is fair game. See what’s new every Monday.
Frequently Asked Questions . . .
10 Quick Tips for Any Trade Show Newbie
Trade shows can...
How to Save Money on Your Next Trade Show Display
Buy Value – Not Price. Too often we focus on the price rather than the value. It’s human nature, especially when budgets are constrained. However, we all know the difference between a good value for the price and a low price on a shoddy product.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Glenna Martin at Flying High Creative Resources on the birth of her daughter: Lela Jane Blankenship. The mother and daughter are both fine. Lela tipped the scales at 7 lbs 4 oz and 19″ long. According to Glenna, “As you can see she has quite the head of hair. We’ve decided to keep her.” 😉
Word on the Street — November 1st thru November 5th
Our People . . . .
Many of you, who have been distributors, vendor partners, and industry friends, have heard us speak about how the heart and soul of Classic Exhibits is its people. They are the key to our success.
Obviously to be successful in this business, we also have to have attractive designs, quality products, and advanced manufacturing capabilities, but at the end of the day, its our people that make Classic a truly remarkable and great company. So please indulge me today as I share some information and some praise about our wonderful people.
FAQ — Island Exhibits
Designing a Trade Show Island Exhibit is equally exciting and nerve-racking. It’s exciting to design a display that showcases your marketing message and draws attendees to your booth. It’s nerve-racking because islands can be expensive, and when budgets are tight, you want to get the biggest bang for your buck and to maximize your Return on Investment.
FAQ — Intro Fabric Panel Displays
For nearly two decades, Intro Fabric Panel Displays have been the perfect choice for a flawless, re-configurable portable display.
Known for its strength, exceptional alignment, and customizable display panels, the “two-sided” Intro Fabric Panel Display performs beautifully in the most demanding trade show schedule. The Intro comes in 10 x 10, 10 x 2, and table top display configurations.
Word on the Street — October 18th thru October 22nd
The Tao of the Dude . . .
Last week, I was in Seattle for a management meeting at the Exhibits Northwest office. On the drive up, Mel shared an article with me from the magazine Mental Floss. Mel knows I’m a big fan of the movie The Big Lebowski, a Coen Brothers flick. The Big Lebowski (TBL) was featured in an article entitled, “The 25 Most Powerful Movies of the Past 25 Years.”