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.

The Experts at the Table: Word on the Street — March 31st thru April 4th

Sour Apple(s): Word on the Street — March 24th thru March 28th

I have long admired the folks in Cupertino for their innovative thoughts, ideas, product aesthetics, design intuitiveness, etc. Apple is a model in many ways of how marketing and product development should be.

Well . . . even the shiniest Apples sometimes have a worm in them, or best said, sometimes they are picked a little too early. This apple is a little sour once you take that second or third bite.

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Why EXHIBITOR Matters (But Should It?)

Why EXHIBITOR Matters (But Should It?)

Each year, I have to remind myself why participating in EXHIBITOR matters. That may seem odd. After all, EXHIBITOR spends a mountain of cash listing all the reasons to attend. Who am I to argue with them. They know their audience. But, I still have to ask myself why should I attend? I’ve gone at least fifteen times.

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The Experts at the Table: Word on the Street — March 31st thru April 4th

The EDPA Portable/Modular Summit: Word on the Street — March 3rd thru March 7th

There’s one event/meeting I would strongly encourage you to attend — The Annual EDPA Portable/Modular Summit. This meeting will be held at EXHIBITOR on Tuesday, March 18 from 3:45 – 4:30 pm right on the show floor. It’s free. Just head towards the Food Service Area (far right of exhibit hall) and look for the sign leading you to the meeting.

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Even For Ladies

Even For Ladies

A product description sign at EuroShop. Honestly, I half expected to see Ron Burgundy standing in the booth pitching the product.

“You know I love the ladies, but when it comes to most lightboxes . . . ”

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Reflections on EuroShop 2014

Reflections on EuroShop 2014

As I write this, I’m 3 hours into a 10 hour flight back to Portland after an 8 day trip to Dusseldorf for EuroShop and meetings with MODUL International. Yes, I’m tired (and sick with a head cold), but that’s a fair trade for the wonderful, educational experience of the past week.

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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.

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FAQ — Quadro S Pop Up Display

A few days ago we covered the FAQ’s for the Sacagawea Hybrid. Now, let’s review Frequently Asked Questions about the Quadro S Pop Up Display. To see the complete list, click on the FAQ button in Exhibit Design Search.

1. What is the difference between a Quadro S and a Quadro EO pop up?

FAQ — Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Displays

Several weeks ago, we added Frequently Add Questions to Exhibit Design Search. There are over 90 questions/answers in this FAQ database. Now, we aren’t foolish enough to think you’ll read them all in one sitting, although we’d be very flattered if you did. Instead, we’ll share samples in the Trade Show Tales blog over the next week or so. We know you read the blog. We have statistics to prove it!!

We’ll begin with the very popular Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Display System:

Word on the Street — August 30th thru September 3rd

It’s the kickoff of College Football Season! This weekend, homes, bars, neighborhoods, and stadiums will be filled with rabid fans who have been waiting for this weekend for eight plus months, waiting to see their favorite teams and/or Alma mater take the field for yet another season on the gridiron.

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.

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?