100 Things to Watch in 2014 (by JWT Intelligence)
Annual Forecast of Trends
It’s that time of year when JWT Intelligence releases their forecast of key trends that will shape or significantly impact consumer behavior in 2014.
Why Our Brains Love Curves
In my last blog post, “Exhibit Designs that Sell,” I offered some tips on how to achieve a nearly 100% success rate. This time, I want to delve into a design element that connects to a deep-rooted preference in many people — graceful, mesmerizing curves!
Happy Holidays from Your Classic Exhibits Family: Word on the Street — December 16th thru December 20th
Is the tree up? Are the packages wrapped? Are you ready for the mayhem?
It’s the best time of the year in my humble opinion. Christmas and New Years are just around the corner. Literally! And just when you think you’re done with all your holiday shopping and you have everything prepared for the big day, you always find that you have one more thing to do or to get.
Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits Annual Letter
This week, we’re sharing the Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits Annual Letter from Eric Albery, the VP of Marketing and Business Development. As many of you know, we have a manufacturing partnership with Eco-Systems. For those unfamiliar with Eco-Systems, we encourage you to visit eSmart Galleries in Exhibit Design Search or spend time on their website (www.ecosystemsdisplays.com).
Best Blogging Practices Webinar (now on YouTube)
FREE BLOGGING WEBINAR. Experts say blogging is probably the most important tool in your social media toolbox. More important than Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or LinkedIn.
EDPA ACCESS 2013 Review: Word on the Street — December 2nd thru December 6th
Marco Island was the setting and what an incredible setting it was. It was 20 degrees in Oregon all week, windy and crisp. But in Marco, it was in the mid-80’s and sunny. Not that I got to experience much of the sun. We had a jam-packed week of content rich sessions and enjoyable networking.
Prior to the ACCESS event, as a member of the EDPA Board of Directors, I participated in a motivating Board Meeting with my fellow Board Members.
I Get Questions: Word on the Street — November 25th thru November 29th
Next week, I am off to Marco Island, FL for the Annual EDPA ACCESS meeting. Something I look forward to every year as a proud sponsor and member of the Board of Directors.
Since I will not be seeing some of you there, I thought I would use this week’s blog as an opportunity to practice my elevator pitches to the usual (and unusual) questions that I’m often asked.
Healthcare and an Exhibit House: Word on the Street — November 11th thru November 15th
The issue of Healthcare Reform affects us all personally and professionally. At Classic, we have attempted to stay on top of it in anticipation of the changes to our employees. Mel White, Beth Senter, and I have had quarterly review meetings with our insurance broker since Q4 2012. And each meeting/review comes with a new list of information, changes, and uncertainties.
Call for Entries: Word on the Street — November 4th thru November 8th
You Know — The PMA’s!
In case you haven’t heard, the fine folks at EXHIBITOR have added a great event to EXHIBITOR2014 — The Portable Modular Awards. This inaugural event will be held on Tuesday evening March 18, 2014 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
Customized Tablet Stand with Disability Access (Video)
Recently, a Classic Exhibits Distributor asked us to customize the MOD-1353 iPad Stand for their client. Four modifications were requested: Disability Access, Lockable Clamshell for Galaxy Tab 3 Tablet, Tilt, and Secure Electrical Box. See the short video to see the final result.
Filter by Category
Filter by Year
Recent Posts
Word on the Street — April 5th thru April 9th
Got Any Secret Travel Tips?
Busy week. On Monday and Tuesday, we hosted a small group of distributors for an extensive training session. On Wednesday, I was putting the final touches on a business trip for this coming week. I’ll be traveling to three separate destinations, and each destination has a distinctly different agenda. This is a complicated trip, and it made me realize that although I travel frequently, I don’t consider myself either a road warrior or an expert.
Word on the Street — March 29th thru April 2nd
Not only is it a great song 🙂 . . . but it’s a living philosophy within Classic. As a company, if you fail to evolve or fail to take chances then you stop giving people a reason to look to you for solutions.
Manufacturing is a Funny and Fickle Business
Manufacturing is a funny and fickle business. Products are designed, engineered, built, tested . . . then re-engineered, re-tested, and finally launched (hopefully to eager and admiring customers). Most companies do their best to get it right. They care about quality, especially on new products.
Word on the Street — March 22nd thru March 26th
Following Up on Trade Show Leads . . .
To be honest, I could almost just say “I was following up on leads” and you would get the gist of my week. But I will expand, while keeping it short, because I am still in full follow-up mode even this weekend.
First, I am going to gripe a bit. Like many of you, I attend a fair number of shows. Sorta comes with the job description. Although many are industry related, there are others I attend if I’m in the area or if I know we have built a display at that show. But I am going to pick on one show in particular . . . without naming it.
Common Marketing Mistakes Can Doom Successful Companies
Occasionally, we all need a not-so-gentle kick in the pants about Marketing. Kevin Renner, in an article appearing in the Portland Business Journal, reminds us that marketing is more than brochures, trade shows, and data sheets. Marketing with a capital “M” must be infused in the totality of the organization. Even something as simple as the company parking lot can make or break a deal.
I’d enjoy hearing your comments on this column.
https://portland.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2010/02/22/newscolumn1.html
Preview the NEW Peek-a-Booth Video Cameras
As a dedicated reader of the Trade Show Tales Blog, you deserve something extra. No, not money, at least not this month, but we are announcing a new feature on the Classic Exhibits website called Peek-a-Booth. An e-broadcast announcement will be sent in a few days, but as a “Preferred Reader” you deserve a sneak peek (pun intended).
Word on the Street — March 15th thru March 19th
POST-EXHIBITOR 2010 — Thoughts and Comments
What a week!
We are back and in follow-up mode — especially after such a great show.
My trip to Vegas actually started the week before EXHIBITOR as I arrived on Thursday to attend GlobalShop. Also a very good show this year. Then I moved over to Mandalay Bay on Friday to setup our exhibit for EXHIBITOR. I don’t know about you, but I love getting to the floor when it opens the first setup day. It’s completely empty except for the staging of the semi’s and forklifts.
“Classic” Chippendales Video Compliments of Larry Crumlish
You may want to step back from the table in case you are eating. In fact, we strongly recommend that you wait at least an hour after eating before viewing this video. The images are VERY disturbing.
Our thanks to Larry Crumlish from InSource for sending us this Chippendale video and for his explanation:
Video Emails from Classic Exhibits at EXHIBITOR 2010
We thought you might enjoy these videos taken by Jeff Abramson from MaxYourImage. The first video shows a quick walk through of the Classic Exhibits booth and an update by Kevin Carty, VP of Sales about EXHIBITOR 2010. Kevin discusses attendance at the show and the Classic products featured in the booth, including rental display kits and silicon edge graphics.
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.