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.

Sacagawea 10% Savings and a FREE Cell Phone and Tablet Charging Station

Sacagawea 10% Savings and a FREE Cell Phone and Tablet Charging Station

Through October, receive a double bonus on Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Displays. We’ve never offered anything like this before on our best selling hybrid system.

ALL Sacagawea Portable Hybrids are 10% off. Choose from 54 designs in 10 ft. and 20 ft. kits. These are our best prices EVER!!!
ALL Sacagawea Portable Hybrids with Workstations come with a FREE Cell Phone and Tablet Charging Station.

To download the unbranded version, Click for the Promotion Sheet or on the image below. Give us a call if you need the source files to complete your own email broadcast.

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Trade Show Displays Under $3K to $24K

Trade Show Displays Under $3K to $24K

The 11 page “Displays Under . . . .” brochure makes it easy to take a quick tour of the display parking lot. The displays are arranged in groups starting under $3000 and stair step to groups under $24,000. Take a moment to try it. We hope you’ll discover that it’s a convenient tool to compare the differences between popular trade show displays. From there, you can explore details in Exhibit Design Search.

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Recent Posts

And the Sacagawea Winner is . . .

Our thanks to everyone who attended the Classic Exhibits Hospitality Suite last night at Mandalay Bay. A special thanks to Gina Porcaro and Tim Bonesteel from Optima Graphics for serving as bartenders. The conspicuous tip jar may have crossed the line, but otherwise your skill at keeping everyone lubricated was accomplished with graciousness and finesse. And, in spite of Mel’s best efforts to provoke distributors and vendors alike, there were no fights.

Now the drawing . . . The winner of the Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Showroom Giveaway . . . . (the obligatory drum roll please!)

Word on the Street — March 8th thru March 12th

There are lots of articles about the benefits of renting vs. buying an exhibit, including this one on Classic’s website. But, I don’t recall ever reading an article that discussed the do’s and don’ts once a client has decided to rent. With over 20 years of experience managing rentals for clients, including the past five managing the Rental Program for Classic Exhibits, I’ve learned that decided to rent is the easy part. The hard part comes after the rental decision has been made. With all modesty, please allow me to share these tips from someone who has experienced his fair share of rental bruises over the years.

Cocktail Party Espionage at EXHIBITOR 2010

This Tuesday (March 16), Classic Exhibits will host our EXHIBITOR Show Hospitality Suite at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. There will be no awards, but there will be a bunch of very nice Classic friends and employees.

Word on the Street — March 1st thru March 5th

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates!

But should your trade show exhibit buying experience be?

For starters, yes I did just watch Forrest Gump. And YES, i do think life is like that. Meaning, you never know what you’re gonna get in many situations.

Recent Changes to EDS — Caterpillar to Butterfly

If you spend anytime at all in Exhibit Design Search, whether on Classic’s site or on your own version of EDS, you’ve watched it change from a caterpillar to a butterfly over the past 30 days. Nearly every day, there have been small but important changes either to the functionality or to the User Interface.

Aero Portable Table Top Display — Setup Video

This creative animation by Mike Swartout, the Classic Design Director, shows how the Aero Table Top assembles. Every Aero Table Top assembles with push-button connectors, and the lightweight aluminum frames are then wrapped in tension fabric graphics.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqx9lLP_3ck&fmt=18

Aero Table Top Displays are designed to be beautiful, adaptable, and recognizable, whether it’s for a trade show or special event. Choose from 13 imaginative designs such as the TF-404, TF-407, TF-411, and TF-414. Aero Displays are economical to own, simple to assemble, and easy to maintain.

Word on the Street — February 22nd thru February 26th

Sometimes Getting a Bloody Nose Can be a Good Thing

Not literally of course, but every now and then we overlook the obvious or we get too comfortable with the status quo. When it happens, it’s how a company or an individual reacts that defines who they are or where the future leads. At least you hope so.

That Annoying Plastic Screw is Gone

Let’s take a quick entertaining quiz:

Question: What’s the name of the part that holds the plex wings on Visionary Designs, Sacagawea, Magellan, and Perfect 10 displays?
Answer: A10.

Question: What do you dislike most about the A10?
Answer: The annoying plastic tension screw that requires a flathead screwdriver (or dime) to tighten.

Word on the Street — February 15th thru February 19th

Have you ever noticed that most companies fall into three camps when it comes to change?

* They never change.
* They make constant incremental changes (they tinker).
* They make big changes every year or two or three (the grand gesture), but generally stay pat until then.

Introducing the Sacagawea Portable Hybrid PS-Series

Classic Exhibits announces the new Sacagawea Portable Hybrid PS-Series, a design addition to the very popular Sacagawea Display line. The PS-Series designs split the backwall into two distinct tension fabric sections while adding both depth and curves to the overall appearance. And like the existing P and T-Series, the PS includes options such as monitor mounts, workstations, pedestals, brochure holders, and standoff signage.

The Basics of Business Entertaining and Building Friendships

There are really two primary reasons to entertain for business: to reward or thank customers for their existing business, or to attract new business from prospective customers. Ultimately, the goal is not all that complicated. We want to make new friends or to strengthen existing friendships. I know that selling is often seen as a cold and calculating transaction, but that’s not my style. The goal for me is create new friends and lasting friendships with our customers.

Word on the Street — February 8th thru February 12th

Road Warrior Stories

Many of us travel a lot for our jobs. And by a lot, I mean up to half the year. My wife tells anyone who will listen that I’m on the road four months a year. I don’t know if it’s quite that bad, but I do travel frequently, whether it’s just for a night or for a week visiting distributors in the Midwest, South, or East Coast.

Word on the Street — February 1st thru February 5th

The Best “Pre-Show Marketing” I Have Ever Seen

After 15 years in the trade show industry, I don’t consider myself an expert, but I am a pretty good judge of certain things — like pre-show marketing.

In late December and early January, I witnessed one of the very best ever. It was created and implemented by Griffin Technology, an aftermarket accessory provider for iPods, iPhones, Blackberrys, and the upcoming iPad. And it was implemented specifically to generate buzz and traffic for their booth at CES 2010.

Classic Exhibits, ClassicMODUL, and EXHIBITOR2010

In case you were wondering, we will be in Las Vegas at EXHIBITOR2010 from March 15-17. You can find us at booth #929, a 20′ x 30′ island. Just head left once you enter the hall and look for the pinwheel hanging sign with the distinctive (and always attractive) Classic logo.

Word on the Street — January 25th thru January 29th

Presentation “Surprises”

Let’s face it . . . it has happened to all of us.

1. Your shipment of samples is lost by UPS or FedEx. Or, if they are packed with your luggage, your luggage arrives in Dallas but you are in Pittsburgh and on your way to Baltimore.
2. Your presentation files are corrupted.
3. You stop by just to “see how things are going.” It’s supposed to be a casual meeting with the “team” only to discover that the “team” is an audience of 30 people expecting a full-blown presentation. 1.