Honoring Memorial Day: Word on the Street — May 20th thru May 24th
Whether you’re camping, on a road trip, outta town to see family and friends, or just hanging at home for three days like me, I trust you are enjoying your long weekend.
We all work very hard and while long weekends like Memorial Day Weekend provide us with an extra day to relax, I hope we all take time to reflect and celebrate the reason for the weekend. Please remember those who lost their lives to protect this great country.
Measuring the Impact of Social Media Marketing: Free Webinar
MEASURING SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
“Social Media Metrics: What To Measure And Why” will be the subject of a free webinar on Wednesday, May 22. It is intended to give business leaders perspective on the differences between social media marketing and traditional advertising approaches; and to provide them with an understanding of what data should be driving their analysis of the success of their efforts.
When Simple Statements Make a Difference: Word on the Street — May 13th thru May 17th
You have experienced it a million times: Sometimes the simplest statements can either ruin your day or make it all worthwhile!
As a parent, I am very conscious of this. There’s nothing worse than when your child shows you something they drew or created with Lego’s, all excited, and your response is, “What is it?” or “I am busy. I will look at it later.” No matter how bad or unrecognizable it may be, I always tell my kids, “That’s beautiful. Tell me all about it.”
Katina Rigall Describes the TF-506 Hybrid Display
Katina Rigall, an exhibit designer at Classic, explains why she designed the TF-506 Portable Hybrid Display.
NEW Features in Exhibit Design Search (EDS)
For those Exhibit Design Search groupies, and you know who you are, we’ve added some enhanced features. These features are available on Classic’s EDS, on your branded EDS sites, and on the unbranded version (www.exhibit-design-search.com).
Additions Include:
Add P5D photos to My Gallery. Now you can send kits and photos in one email. Much easier
An iPad Kiosks/Solutions Gallery. This product line continues to grow and deserved a dedicated gallery
A “Show All” feature — Now you can view larger searches and galleries in a single window
Alphabetical Sort. Very convenient if you want to view a search in alphabetical order
New Fabric Swatches page showing all current and available Front Runner, Prelude, and EcoFi fabrics in our assortment
Spring SKU 2013 Graduation: Word on the Street — May 6th thru May 10th
To the Spring 2013 SKU Graduates
What can I say? I am honored you attended Shared Knowledge University. Thanks for participating in an amazing SKU. By the email commentary (that’s still going on), I feel confident in saying that we had the most successful session yet. For those who attended, please share your thoughts in the blog comment section. Future SKU attendees need to hear from you!
$445 iPad Kiosk Special
iPad Kiosk Special
Save $50 on iPad Kiosk designs MOD-1312/1314 through June 30. The MOD-1312/1314 features a convenient clamshell frame with two anti-theft locks. The kiosks have integrated wire management with a 4 outlet power strip.
Choose from multiple graphic solutions including face plates, halos, wings, and direct prints on the post.
As Transparent as EVER: Word on the Street — April 29th thru May 3rd
As I write this, I’m completing final preparations for Shared Knowledge University (SKU). Thirty Distributors, three Vendor Partners, and a host of Classic Exhibits, Exhibits Northwest, Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits, Classic Rentals, and ClassicMODUL employees will participate in the two-day training program at Classic Exhibits. To say that I am excited does not convey my true feelings.
To Move or NOT to Move: Word on the Street — April 22nd thru April 26th
Or Should I Say, WHEN to Move?
Since last fall, we have been wrestling with this question at Classic Exhibits, Exhibits NW, and ClassicMODUL.
It’s no secret, we have been growing. And our growth has been at a consistent pace. But with growth comes the conversation of when to move into a larger building.
‘s EXHIBITOR2013 Commercial
On occasion, Trade Show Tales is literally a commercial for Classic Exhibits. 😉
Recent Posts
Word on the Street — October 12th thru October 16th
Well, I don’t know about you, but this has been a very long week. That’s not to say it’s been a “bad” week . . . just long. Whenever airplanes, airports, and airlines are involved . . . . well, you know.
I was in Atlanta much of the week. The Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic was on Monday. What a great event as always. Kudos to Rich Johnson, Jim Wurm, and Ted Petersen and their whole team for putting on another successful and fun event.
‘t Tell You — #9
For the next two weeks, we’ll share 10 Things We Probably Shouldn’t — one each day. Actually one, plus another one. Enjoy!
#9. We have an amazing Accounting Department that’s small but efficient. It handles Accounting, Human Resources, and Purchasing at Classic Exhibits (manufacturing) and coordinates all financials for the other two divisions. In 2008, our Accounting Manager, Beth, was on medical leave for much of the year. Although she worked far more than she should have, there were times when she was unable to work for a week or two and other times when she would be at Classic for just a couple of days. However, if you didn’t know that, then you wouldn’t have known anything was different. Beth and her team kept the department running flawlessly by prioritizing tasks, working smarter, and streamlining established procedures.
Plus 1. For eight years, the PA speaker in the Setup Area has broadcast a local Spanish radio station 24/7. That’s not intentional. We’ve attempted to fix it, unsuccessfully, multiple times. We’ve brought in electricians, who have examined it only to conclude that our only option is to disconnect the wiring. Well, that’s not an option since we rely on the PA system throughout the day. Last week, Vitaliy, our Setup Lead, said to Mel, “Ocho, ocho, ocho! Why do they keep saying ‘ocho’?” We feel for Vitaliy, we really do, but you would think after eight years of listening to Spanish radio that he would know that ocho means “eight.” You gotta love the irony.
‘t Tell You — #8
For the next two weeks, we’ll share 10 Things We Probably Shouldn’t — one each day. Actually one, plus another one. Enjoy!
#8. Electrical and wire management can be a challenge — not the implementation but the communication. It’s the trade show equivalent of “Don’t ask, Don’t tell.” We neglected to ask you about wire management, and you forgot to tell us about your client’s electrical or cabling needs. This may sound a little whiney, but we’re begging you to initiate that conversation on every design and order. Better yet, make it part of the initial design criteria. We do our darndest to be proactive about wire management, but we’re not perfect. If you don’t see it on the drawing or in the order confirmation, then it slipped through the cracks — and someone’s going to have to deal with it on the show floor. That’s just one more issue that we want to solve before your client does.
Plus 1. Every Friday afternoon between 3-5 pm we play dodgeball in our Setup Area. The teams are almost always Production vs. Customer Service, Design, and Management, which helps to diffuse any tension percolating during the week. The two best players in Production are Igor and Ivan. The two best players in Customer Service are Anne and Edie, which shouldn’t surprise you if you’ve ever met the men in those departments. Remember the the 5 D’s: Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive, and Dodge.
To learn more about dodgeball, view The 5 D’s of Dodgeball video.
‘t Tell You — #7
For the next two weeks, we’ll share 10 Things We Probably Shouldn’t — one each day. Actually one, plus another one. Enjoy!
#7. You probably already know this but will confirm it anyway. Not every exhibit design shown in Design Monday has been built (or in some cases even engineered). Heck, that’s why we called it “Design Monday,” not “Kits Monday.” Has it ever bit us in the tutu? Never, because we either design the exhibits to be built or we figure out how to build them. Sure we take risks . . . but we’re not stupid.
Plus 1. Classic Exhibits is located on International Way in Milwaukie, OR (a suburb of Portland). Now, we’re not sure our industrial park, which is a beautiful industrial park with trees, a stream, and a wetlands, qualifies as international, but our workforce may. In addition to the many native-born Oregonians and Washatonians, we have employees born in Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Mexico, South Korea, Thailand, Bosnia, and Turkey. And then there’s Charlie Shivel, our Kentucky-born PM. You’d think there would be a temptation to pick on Charlie, but Mel White, the VP of Marketing, is a much easier target. Although born in Washington State, he’s live much of his life in West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, and North Dakota. Statistically, Mel wins by a landslide.
‘t Tell You — #6
For the next two weeks, we’ll share 10 things we probably shouldn’t — one each day. Actually one, plus another one. Enjoy!
#6. Good exhibit designers are different (and sometimes a little scary). By nature, they are creative, resourceful, efficient, inquisitive, and even petulant at times. They have the uncanny ability to envision complex solutions with minimal instructions. And while many of them are mentalists, like Kreskin, they are not psychics or mind-readers. They are good, just not that good. Want some practical advice on how to maximize a designer’s creative potential and minimize any peevishness (Hey, we’re human too), then we urge you to avoid the following “cotton candy” design descriptions:
Open and Airy
Contemporary but Classic
Clean not Cluttered
Modern Looking but No Metal
We’ll know what we want when we see it (Ugh?!!!!!!!)
Plus 1. Our production manager is Jim, but that isn’t his real name. Ten years ago, our former production manager couldn’t pronounce “Yevgenity,” so rather than learn to pronounce it, he simply decided that “Jim” was easier. He’s been Jim ever since. We share this because it illustrates how our production team accommodates distributor requests (sometimes to a fault). If you want a Yevgenity to be a Jim, then they’ll make it a Jim.
‘t Tell You — #5
For the next two weeks, we’ll share 10 things we probably shouldn’t — one each day. Actually one, plus another one. Enjoy!
#5. Classic markets two pop up displays — the Quadro S (square frame) and the Quadro EO (self-locking, economy option frame). We want to be sympathetic when you tell us that naming both pop up systems Quadro is confusing (we really do). But the evil side of us says, “This is the same person who could describe ‘at length’ the differences between the Oreo Sandwich Creme and the Oreo Double Stuff and why the Oreo Cakester is better than the Milk Chocolate Covered Oreo.”
Plus 1. Anyone who has ever visited Classic can confirm the following . . . Classic has no lobby, no showroom, no receptionist. When you enter our building, you step onto the manufacturing floor. There’s no better example of who we are and what we do than that. We are a designer and manufacturer of trade show exhibits whose products are sold through an independent network of professional distributors.
Word on the Street — October 5th thru October 9th
The same can be said for us at Classic. We cannot succeed without the help and support of our key vendor partners. They provide the frosting for all the beautiful exhibits we create on behalf of our distributors. Companies like Optima Graphics and Brumark Flooring are critical to making a Classic, well . . . a Classic!
‘t Tell You — #4
For the next two weeks, we’ll share 10 things we probably shouldn’t — one each day. Actually one, plus another one. Enjoy!
#4. We often talk about being a transparent company to our distributors. We’ll discuss any aspect of Classic Exhibits Inc. except our financials (we’re privately held). We’ll break that rule just this once. On occasion, a distributor will ask us if we have enough aluminum extrusion to handle a large order. We always smile. Currently, we have over a million dollars in aluminum extrusion in our inventory. It would have to be a REALLY BIG ORDER to put a dent in our inventory. Bring it on baby!
Plus 1. Aside from Reid Sherwood’s obvious sales and people skills, not many people know that the third reason he was hired by Classic had a lot to do with Mel White’s obsession with Bigfoot!
For the only legitimate source of Bigfoot facts and sightings (according to Mel . . . and he’s serious), refer to the non-profit Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization(www.bfro.net).
‘t Tell You — #3
For the next two weeks, we’ll share 10 things we probably shouldn’t — one each day. Actually one, plus another one. Enjoy!
#3. Yes, Sacagawea is an odd name for an exhibit system, but we wanted to continue the explorer theme (Magellan). Do you have any idea how hard it is to find an explorer whose reputation hasn’t taken a beating in recent history? Think Cortez, Columbus, Pizarro . . . basically any explorer in the “New World.” For anyone struggling with how to pronounce “Sacagawea” or for a quick history lesson about this remarkable woman, click here.
Plus 1. Despite our denials, we actually own an anti-gravity device. We only use it for our special customers since it requires Plutonium 286 to power the reactor.
‘t Tell You — #2
For the next two weeks, we’ll share 10 things we probably shouldn’t — one each day. Actually one, plus another one. Enjoy!
#2. When you call and ask us a question . . . and then there’s a pause, it’s probably because we are checking Exhibit Design Search for the answer. We love chatting with you (we really do!), but about half the questions you ask are available in Exhibit Design Search online.
Plus 1. Combined, Reid Sherwood and Kevin Carty have one good liver. See them destroy what’s left next week at the 15th Annual Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic, October 12, 2009 at Berkeley Hills in Duluth, GA.
‘t Tell You — #1
For the next two weeks, we’ll share 10 things we probably shouldn’t — one each day. Actually, one, plus another one each day. Enjoy!
#1. When your shipping carrier arrives at noon, but your order isn’t scheduled to ship until 4 pm and won’t be ready until then, we always tell the driver it’s your fault.
Plus 1. During slow production months (November and May in particular), Classic Manufacturing transforms into a “Snuggie” factory. What can we say. . . Cash flow baby!
p.s. Now available in many fashionable patterns such as Leopard and Zebra!
Words of Wisdom from My Grandmother
In business, “Taking the Time” is a mindset. We all know it’s easier and less expensive to keep an existing customer than to acquire a new one. That fact has been drilled into our brain repeatedly. Yet, we devote most of our energy to chasing new customers or simply reacting to existing ones. What we rarely do is contact our existing customers. Put yourself in your customer’s shoes. When did you call a customer for advice about a product or service? How often do you send out surveys asking for feedback? Do you ever phone a customer just to ask how they are doing without launching into a sales pitch?
Word on the Street — September 25th thru October 2nd
Content is KING!
This week was a travel week for me. I was fortunate to see new customers as well as some great existing customers/friends.
The standout day this past week was easily Wednesday. That was the day I attended an Open House hosted by one of our customers.
I have been to quite a few Open House Events in my 15 years of doing this. Many hosted or organized by folks who are reading this blog. Honestly, there are a few that I end up leaving and feeling “that was so close, but it was missing something . . . and I can’t seem to put my finger on it.”
When 50% “Show” and 50% “Trade” is 100% “In Doubt”
After 10 plus years in the exhibit industry, I tend to make assumptions about trade shows. To me, they are convention halls, pipe and drape, carpeting, hanging banners, and trade show displays. They are drayage, union labor, and confusing electrical forms. You expect the exhibit hall to be 50 percent “show” and 50 percent “trade.”
Word on the Street — September 21st thru September 25th
It’s almost “Randy” time!
This week I am using this forum for a totally different purpose. But something I feel very passionate about and want to share with you.
15th Annual Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic
October 12, 2009
at Berkeley Hills in Duluth, GA