EuroShop 2014 Update: Day 5 Video and Photos
Don’t you just love the last day of a show? The crowds have thinned, and the conversations are more casual and informative. We took a break yesterday and spent the day in Cologne, a thirty minute train ride from Dusseldorf. Today, we were back at EuroShop with more detail photos. Katina went a little camera crazy today in a last ditch effort to capture as much design information as possible.
We hope you enjoyed our EuroShop blogging as much as we enjoyed sharing it with you.
EuroShop 2014 Update: Day 3 Video and Photos
Even without cell phone service, we heard you say, “Show me more creative, elegant, and bizarre exhibits from Europe.” Well, we are delighted to be your trade show mules of images from EuroShop. We toured the remaining exhibit halls on Day 3, and then had time to revisit some of our favorites and discover many new exhibits (which we still can’t believe we missed the first time).
EuroShop 2014 Update: Day 2 Video and Photos
The EuroShop 2014 adventure continues with Mel and Katina. On Day 2, they visit the smaller tradeshow exhibition hall with the mostly 3 x 3 and 3 x 6 meter booths, and then turn their attention to mannequins, retail fixtures, supermarket displays, refrigeration, and all things esoteric to retail merchandising and marketing.
Be sure to see the photo describing the lightbox that even the “ladies” can assemble and a photo of Katina with Mary Poppins. We half expected to see Ron Burgundy in the “Ladies Lightbox” space.
EuroShop 2014 Update: Day 1 Video and Photos
Once every three years, it’s EuroShop time in Dusseldorf, Germany. Mel White and Katina Rigall are attending for Classic Exhibits and ClassicMODUL. And, despite their jet lag (or because of it), they have time to share their impressions of a very full first day. Expect another update over the coming days.
Re-Designed Classic Exhibits Website
So new, it still has that glorious new website smell — new graphics, new HTML, a flashy menu, and intuitive navigation. We invite you to tour the re-designed Classic Exhibits website. All your favorites are there: Past 5 Days, Exhibit Design Search, Peek-a-Booth, Trade Show Tips, and FAQ’s.
Classic Exhibits and OTM Partner on NEO Portable Brandable Furniture
Classic Exhibits and On The Move (OTM) introduce the NEO line of portable furniture. NEO is a line of portable, brand-able furniture specifically designed for the trade show and event industry.
CELEBRATE Design in our Industry: Word on the Street — February 3rd thru February 7th
We have an Awards Night for the first time, complete with networking, dinner, and drinks. It is sanctioned by EXHIBITOR and promises to be quite the gala based on the many conversations I’ve had with the EXHIBITOR team.
EXHIBITOR Show Design & New Website: Word on the Street — January 27th thru January 31st
In just six short weeks, we will meet in Las Vegas for EXHIBITOR 2014. It’s our opportunity to show all that is new in our great industry from design and construction to AV, flooring, and services.
| Favorite Blog Posts: Word on the Street — Jan. 20th thru Jan. 24th
This week, we’re re-posting a smattering of popular blogs from the past six years. Kind of like a marathon weekend of your favorite television show. Scan through the selections and sample the ones that tickle your fancy.
| 2013 Annual State of the Company Letter
It’s that time of the year when Kevin Carty, VP of Classic Exhibits, reports on 2013 and offers his insights on 2014.
Highlights include:
Uptrend in Sales in 2013
More Custom Hybrid and Custom Fabrication
New Classic Exhibits Website (oh so close to launch)
Growth in Rentals
Retail / Corporate Environment Trends
New Product in 2014
Positive Outlook about 2014
Click Here or on the image below to download the full 3 page PDF.
Recent Posts
Shooting from the Hip — 13.10 (Making Customers Mad)
6 Surefire Ways to Tick Off Your Customer
No matter how long I’m in business, I am always amazed at the lengths some companies go to make their customers mad. I “get” the fact that you have to make money. I “get” the fact that the customer “ISN’T” always right (like we’ve been taught over and over again). HOWEVER, the customer is ALWAYS IMPORTANT! Here are a few surefire ways to tick off your customer.
‘s Quadro Pop-Up Special
Kevin Carty has lost his mind (again)! He’s decided to “break the bank” with an insane Quadro EO Pop-Up Special.
Here’s the deal:
* Purchase an EO-03 8 ft. or an EO-04 10 ft. pop up display.
* Receive an EO-01 table top for just $150 retail. That’s insane, frankly! The EO-01 retails for $950 msrp.
Word on the Street — August 16th thru August 20th
Perception vs. Reality
One of my best friends travels quite a bit for his job. We often joke about who travels more, but he has me beat by quite a distance. Approximately 30-32 weeks a year, he travels for his job. And most of his travel is to Events, Conferences, and Trade Shows. These can range from a small regional show in Alaska where he has a table top display to the industry hardware show in Chicago where he has a 20′ x 50′ island exhibit.
Exhibit Design Search — Super Cool New Features!
Announcing two new features in Exhibit Design Search (EDS).
Frequently Asked Questions:
We created FAQs for all the galleries in EDS. These questions are intended for end-users, but there’s beneficial information for distributors as well.
For example, here’s an example (from the Counters and Pedestals FAQ):
Jumping on the Bandwagon: Imports are the Problem!
It’s ALL their fault — those inexpensive imports of dubious quality. They are ruining the exhibit industry for everyone. How do we possibly compete?
If you shouted “Hurray!” or “You are SO Right my friend!” you’re going to find this article disappointing. It’s easy to blame imports.
Word on the Street — August 9th thru August 13th
It’s That Time of Year . . . .
I have been doing this for 16 years now . . . same company . . . same trends. I hope! 🙂
Mel and I both joke about how every year, even the most seasoned Tradeshow Pro’s tend to forget that the business goes dormant in June, July, and early August — Only to be reminded that it always ramps back up around the 15th of August.
Classic Exhibits Partners with NVP Exhibits in Australia
ortland, Oregon – Classic Exhibits Inc., a designer of portable, modular, and hybrid displays, has granted NVP Exhibits (Nouveau Productions) the exclusive distribution rights to Australia. Based in Sydney, NVP has representation in Canberra, Melbourne, Cairns, and Perth. As part of the distribution agreement, NVP added Exhibit Design Search to their website. Exhibit Design Search is Classic’s comprehensive exhibit design search engine with over 1500 designs, 2000 photos, and 43 trade show tips.
Shooting from the Hip — 12.10 (Old Fashion Hard Work)
Well, the dog days of summer are upon us. In Michigan that means upper 80’s and low 90’s and relative humidity about the same. But it also means that we are only a few days from football season.
13 Common Trade Show Mistakes
Mistakes happen whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned trade show veteran, but you can avoid the 13 Most Common Trade Show Mistakes by following this advice. So, let’s take a few minutes, while your competitors are reading about Lindsey Lohan or watching reruns of Jersey Shore, to super-size your trade show marketing skills.
1. Going to Big
Word on the Street — August 2nd thru August 6th
Information Overload Syndrome (I.O.S.) . . . Are You an Addict?
For about two years, I have been accused of being addicted to my Blackberry and my email. In response, I have told people they are crazy. After all, what’s wrong with being able to do your job on the move? It means less office time, more productivity, etc. etc.
Shooting from the Hip — 11.10 (Flying Displays)
This week has been a technology roller coaster. All that really means is that our server is/was having problems. Email was not working obviously, which leaves a traveling sales guy with a smartphone that only works as a phone. It seems almost pointless doesn’t it?
Social Media 102 — Sponsored by Classic Exhibits
Social Media 102 – Sponsored by Classic Exhibits
How can you use Social Media to drive traffic to your tradeshow booth? Did you know that location-based marketing is perfect for tradeshows, conventions, and events?
Shooting from the Hip — 10.10 (Heading into Fall)
Well, time is flying. We are only a few days from August and that means the trade show season will soon be upon us. No more complaining about things being slow. I have had some pretty intense conversations recently with folks saying — “Look out for the 4th quarter, cuz it is going to be a good one!”
Exhibit Design Search — Tips, Tricks, and Techniques
Exhibit Design Search (EDS): Tips, Tricks, and Techniques Webinar
Exhibit Design Search Training Webinar
Exhibit Design Search Training Webinar
Discover How to:
* Search for Displays Faster
* Respond to Design Requests Quicker
* Qualify Budgets
* Send Renderings, Photos, and Animations
* Create Design Galleries
* Find Specials, Quick Ship Displays, and Articles
* The Basics of Sacagawea, Magellan, Perfect 10, and Visionary Designs
What’s New in EDS and What’s Coming!
Word on the Street — July 19th thru July 23rd
Calgon Take Me Away!
This past week I took a little vacation time. Worked Monday and Tuesday and then took off for a few days of camping. Something living in the Great Pacific Northwest offers us a lot of options for as it relates to locations. You can do anything from true “survivalist” camping in the middle of nowhere . . . where you hike into a remote location that might have never been camped at before . . . to camping in a “campground” that has showers and electricity. Something I refer to as “car camping.”