Retail Displays Gallery: Word on the Street — May 19th thru May 23rd
Let me guess . . . you don’t view Classic Exhibits or ClassicMODUL as retail display builders? Quite honestly, I don’t blame you. We don’t design and build cardboard product displays. We never get orders for 1000 merchandising racks. No one comes to us for rounders or rolling clothing racks or 500 pieces of slatwall hardware.
29,363 Miles in 93 Days
I enjoy creating new concepts! It’s what I live for to be honest. All the trips I’ve taken as a representative of Classic Exhibits in 2014 have reinforced that passion: from Dusseldorf for EuroShop in February, to Vegas for EXHIBITOR in March, and now NYC for the FIT Exhibition Design thesis presentations.
Surface 2 & Surface 2 Pro Stands: Word on the Street — May 5th thru May 9th
Up until now, Classic Exhibits has bet heavily on the iPad tablet. You could say we’ve doubled down a few times. And, we’d be lying if we told you that it hasn’t been successful. It’s been crazy (the loading dock is overflowing with orders) successful.
RECENT Exhibit Design Search Updates (see the GIFs)
Your Branded Exhibit Design Search
Nearly every month, we push functional or visual changes to your branded Exhibit Design Search website. Some you may notice. Some you may not.
Do you want to know a secret? I’m a obsessed with EDS (OK, that may be the world’s worst kept secret). And I force Tony, Glenna, and everyone else at Classic Exhibits to share that obsession. If only there was a 10 step program for an EDS addict?
The Classic Exhibits Family is GROWING: Word on the Street — April 28th thru May 2nd
As we continue to grow and fine-tune manufacturing, we recognized the need to fine-tune our Customer Service/Project Management Department as well. Growth presents challenges, and anyone who has experienced rapid sales growth knows, you can wait and react or you can plan and perform.
Trade Show Marketing Success Video (Very Practical Advice!)
Earlier this week, Classic Exhibits hosted the Countdown to Trade Show Success webinar with trade show marketing expert Marlys Arnold. I wish EVERY EXHIBITOR would take 45 minutes and watch it. She presented practical advice about exhibit marketing, graphics, and booth etiquette. If nothing else, start watching at the 29 minute mark, “The 10 Commandments of Booth Staffing.” Excellent advice and spot-on photos of bad and good behavior.
If You Only Have a Hammer . . . : Word on the Street — April 20th thru April 25th
Pointing your finger is almost a rite of passage in sales. It’s always the “other guy” who has a limited set of tools or your competitor who doesn’t listen to the client. Unlike the “other guy,” you would never guide your client toward a product or solution that “just so happens” to fit your product assortment.
Book Download — Super Networking at Events and Tradeshows
A couple of months ago, Tim Patterson, otherwise known as The Tradeshow Guy, wrote a 90 page e-book titled, Super Networking at Tradeshows and Events Using Social Media. He had copies printed and gave them away to friends, industry colleagues, and at trade shows. Classic Exhibits was a sponsor for both the book and the printing.
Reconfigurable Custom Inline Exhibit
All Custom. More Than Modular.
One of the most overused terms in the exhibit industry is “custom modular.” Too often, it means, “At some point in the future if you purchase more components, you can transform this display into another size, but you’re unlikely to do it any time soon.”
However, when done well, it truly means “custom” and “modular.” Here’s an excellent display example, narrated by Charlie Shivel, a project manager at Classic Exhibits.
Why the Big Picture MATTERS in Graphic Design
Many trade show clients and graphic designers are unfamiliar with how to design for 3D structures. If you have a client that fits that description, then our new Graphic Inspiration Galleries will be useful. We’ve dug through the Past Five Days (P5D) photo archives and identified outstanding examples of graphics.
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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.”