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.

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).

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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.

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| 2013 Annual State of the Company Letter

| 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.

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$349 iPad Telescoping Stand with Rolling Travel Case

$349 iPad Telescoping Stand with Rolling Travel Case

Spin. Twist. Bend. Swivel. Exercise? That’s so January 1.

Why buy the P90X or join a gym when the MOD-1365 Telescoping iPad Stand does it all. Turn a knob and spin. Make an adjustment and tilt to your heart’s content. Even do those squats with the adjustable telescoping feature. As a bonus (yes, there’s more!), you can take it with you. The MOD-1365 comes with a travel case with wheels. Best of all . . . It’s on sale at $349. Call today. Seriously. Call today.

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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.

Word on the Street — July 5th thru July 9th

Who’s to Beantown? And Have You Voted Yet?

Classic Exhibits Inc. will of course be at TS2. We are in booth #315. Be sure to come by and check out the beautiful 20 x 20 island we have designed. It is highlighting many of the new TSP profiles from ClassicMODUL which accept Silicone Edge Graphics, most of which we are showing “backlit”! We are also showing one of the newest Sacagawea PS kits and a totally redesigned Magellan kit that will looked somewhat familiar but much improved.

TS2 Guest Passes and a Free, Flexible Waterproof Keyboard

Attend the 2010 TS2 Show in Boston compliments of Classic Exhibits and ClassicMODUL. Simply download a guest pass and register on the TS2 website with the Special VIP Code (CLASSIC).

Your VIP Guest Pass entitles you to FREE admission to the following:

‘ Choice Awards

Classic Exhibits has been nominated for the Best Exhibit House in the 2010 TSEA Exhibitors’ Choice Awards.

We’re shocked, flattered and frankly a little overheated at the moment. To the person or persons who nominated us — thank you very, very much!

Word on the Street — June 21st thru June 25th

Your First Day in High School

Do you remember your first day in high school? This week I am doing something I have not done in almost 12 years. Going to a show for the first time.

Now as you might imagine, I have been to many, many trade shows over the years — just like you. But this week I am attending as a first time exhibitor. I can’t remember the last time that happened. And it is an interesting process.

Recent Updates, Price Lists, and Kit Sheets

Recent Updates, Price Lists, and News

Kevin’s on his LIVESTRONG ride this weekend. As you read this, he’s either struggling to climb the final hill on his 100 mile ride (Sunday) or in bed with enough Motrin in his bloodstream to disorient an adult hippopotamus (Monday).

In his absence, we’ve collected two months of Recent Updates, Price Lists, and News about Classic Exhibits and ClassicMODUL into one convenient blog posting.

Shooting from the Hip — 8.10 (Really Columbus?)

Really Columbus?

The week’s travels were challenging, but the meetings made up for any hassles. I can’t complain too much. A couple of canceled flights allowed me, on my 23rd wedding anniversary, to have dinner with my wife instead of my good pal, Kevin Carty. Vicki, thank you for the 23 years of adult child care you have provided. Remember, I am still the acorn waiting to become the giant oak.

Portable and Modular Trade Show Displays — Lesson #1

Are you confused about trade show displays? Well, I am, and I’ve worked in the trade show business for over 10 years. Browse through the web and you’ll discover hundreds of websites showing similar products with prices ranging from bargain basement to “Are you friggin’ kidding me?” It shouldn’t be this complicated. And, honestly, it’s not.

Word on the Street — June 7th thru June 11th

What’s the Best Business Advice You’ve Ever Received?

I am going to dovetail this week’s blog with my friend Reid’s blog from earlier this week. Reid talked about the advice he has received from his bosses over the years.