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.

Why Our Brains Love Curves

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!

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Happy Holidays from Your Classic Exhibits Family: Word on the Street — December 16th thru December 20th

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.

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Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits Annual Letter

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).

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EDPA ACCESS 2013 Review: Word on the Street — December 2nd thru December 6th

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.

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EDPA ACCESS 2013 Review: Word on the Street — December 2nd thru December 6th

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.

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EDPA ACCESS 2013 Review: Word on the Street — December 2nd thru December 6th

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.

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“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.

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.