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.
Invite Your Clients and Prospects to Free Training
On April 29, Classic Exhibits will host the “Countdown to Trade Show Success” webinar with trade show marketing expert Marlys Arnold. You have the opportunity to invite your clients and prospects to participate for free, compliments of Classic.
RFP Certification Program: Word on the Street — April 7th thru April 11th
The EDPA RFP Certification program seeks to verify that certain items are in existence, that industry standards and best practices are met and adhered to, based on various benchmarks. Research conducted in 2012 with the assistance of Exhibit Surveys to Corporate Exhibitors proved there “was unanimous enthusiasm for the concept of an EDPA ‘Good Housekeeping Seal’ that would prescreen exhibit house vendors on the basis of business integrity and operational practices and capabilities.
The Experts at the Table: Word on the Street — March 31st thru April 4th
So, forgive me if you’ve seen this video after Seth Godin posted it. It quickly went viral. But, it’s just too good not to share in my weekly WOTS.
Have you ever been in this meeting before? And if you have, should I ask, “Have you ever been any of the ‘non-engineers’ depicted in this video?”
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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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.”
Sacagawea vs. Magellan vs. Perfect 10 vs. Visionary Designs
Comparing Four Hybrid Display Systems from Classic Exhibits
Are you comfortable describing the differences between the Sacagawea, Magellan, Perfect 10, and Visionary Designs Hybrid Display Systems with your customers? If not, here’s a helpful summary of each of these product lines.
It’s actually fairly straight-forward (and it makes a lot of sense). Please understand (which translates to me CMA) that these distinctions are broad-based, and there are always exceptions.
Shooting from the Hip — 9.10 (TS2 and LeBron)
TS2 and LeBron
Well, a couple weeks have passed since I posted. I think Mel thought I had given up on the blog, but the reality is the 4th of July, a couple vacation days (if you call working a charity poker tournament in Detroit vacation), and TS2, and you are into late July.
Not much happened in late June and early July so I will catch up very quickly.
Word on the Street — July 12th thru July 16th
Post-TS2 Review and Highlights
This past week I was in Boston attending the TS2 Conference and Expo — a show that, to be honest, has had questions attached to it lately.
Questions like: What is the show’s direction? What is the show’s future? What is the motivation and/or reason for attending the show? All very valid questions.
Social Media 101 — Sponsored by Classic Exhibits
Social Media 101 – Sponsored by Classic Exhibits
Want to get into Social Media but don’t know where to get started? Join us for a fun, info-packed webinar on the basics of Social Media.
Tim Patterson, VP of Sales and Marketing for Interpretive Exhibits (a Classic Exhibits distributor) is a Social Media Guru, and he’s agreed to transform you into a guru too.