Classic Exhibits — Chosen for the FAB 50 “Masters of Exhibits”
Earlier today, Event Design and Event Marketer Magazine announced the FAB 50 MASTERS OF EXHIBITS in their April 2013 issue. From the architects of the Ex Awards, Event Design Awards, and the Top 100 Event Agency List comes the first editorial ranking of the best exhibit builders. Classic Exhibits Inc. was chosen as one of North America’s top exhibit designers and builders, one of the few systems builders selected for this honor.
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due: Word on the Street — April 15th thru April 19th
After nearly 19 years in this industry, I have had my fair share of gripes with how General Service Contractors and Show Management manage trade shows. And I have certainly voiced those gripes, hopefully, in a respectful manner.
Well, this past week I was in Chicago for GlobalShop 2013 at McCormick Place as both an exhibitor and an attendee. Freeman was the General Service Contractor for the event. And all I can say is — KUDOS from start to finish.
‘s Hot in this Beauty Pageant?
Rate the iPad Kiosks in this Pageant?
Below are many of the basic iPad Kiosk shapes (without graphic face plates, halos, and wings to influence your decision). Think of it as the swimsuit competition.
All competitors scored 10’s in the talent portion. MOD-1333 was voted Miss Congeniality.
SWA $25 – KC $0: Word on the Street — April 8th thru April 12th
It’s Saturday morning at 6:00 am. Why am I up so early on the weekend? It’s a travel day tomorrow, and I want to check-in at Southwest at exactly the 24 hour pre-flight mark. My goal is an A. It’s always an A.
EXHIBITOR2013 Show Photos
Each year, EXHIBITOR posts photos showing all the exhibitor’s booths. This year is no different. Click here to see them.
However if you’d like another perspective . . . Our friend, Matt LaBruzza from Exhibit People, loves to take show photos and living in Las Vegas gives him lots of opportunities.
Conformity No Longer Leads to Comfort: Word on the Street — April 1st thru April 5th
Yes Yes Yes, I am on another Seth Godin rant. Like the others, this one is too good not to share, especially in light of what we are seeing in our own businesses and industry
“The Industrial Age” is dying, and we’re experiencing a new economy, one based on connection, knowledge, and most importantly, choice.
New Fabric Color Swatch Tool
We just launched a web version of our Fabric Color Swatch tool in Exhibit Design Search. These fabrics are available for Quadro Pop Ups and Intro Folding Panel Displays.
Happy Easter: Word on the Street — March 25th thru March 29th
This past week has been nothing short of chaotic! Good chaotic mind you.
The week following EXHIBITOR Show is always nuts, unless you did something really wrong. 🙂 Seriously, we have been amazed by the feedback coming off the show. And trust me, we have been working very hard on the follow-up. We came home from Vegas with nearly double the leads from any other prior show. It’s quite humbling to be honest.
Siegfried, Hamilton, and Melvis — EXHIBITOR Review: Word on the Street — March 18th thru March 22nd
It’s Vegas Baby
Why would you expect anything less than seeing famous people, staying out too late, and being apart of the BEST show of the year?
And the title is true. We saw Siegfried at dinner with his entourage. I saw George Hamilton at the airport on the way out of town, and I see Melvis everyday.
‘s Showtime!: Word on the Street — March 11th thru March 15th
EXHIBITOR opens on Sunday March 17 with sessions and meetings. Then the show floor opens Monday morning at 11:30 am.
We have been onsite since Friday morning setting up the Classic Exhibits Inc. booth (#1637).
Recent Posts
What You Should Know as a First-Time Exhibit Buyer
For the sake of simplicity, let’s assume that exhibit marketing is a new experience. Exhibit marketing is certainly not rocket science. You don’t need a marketing degree to be successful at exhibit marketing. However, it helps to get advice so you make the right decisions.
Word on the Street — September 14th thru September 18th
Where Have All the Turnaround Times Gone?
Of course, I say this partially in jest, but boy isn’t it true right now?!?
And please don’t get me wrong. Like you, we are delighted to have the business. As many of you have shared with me this week, everyone is ordering much later this year.
If Trade Show Exhibits Were Celebrities, They Would Be . . . .
Banner Stands (cheap, attractive, but not always reliable): Tara Reid, Andy Dick, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan
Custom Exhibits (talented, larger than life, mostly professional but occasionally temperamental): Meryl Streep, Orson Welles, Dame Judi Dench, Aretha Franklin
Overhead Tension Fabric Signs (highly visible and stretched tight): Joan Rivers
Table Tops (small, perky, occasionally cute): Kathy Griffin, Danny Devito, Herve Villechaize, Dakota Fanning,
Pop Up Displays (versatile, portable, and over-exposed): Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, John Mayer, Jennifer Aniston
Modular Exhibits (adaptable, upscale, but not custom): Denzel Washington, Anne Hathaway, Jimmy Stewart, Christopher Walken
Hybrid Exhibits (lightweight, re-inventing, contemporary): Johnny Depp, Robin Williams, Madonna, Tom Hanks
Green (eco-friendly but pushy): Ed Begley Jr., Al Gore, Sheryl Crow
Aluminum Extrusion Systems (durable, versatile, supporting role): Keith Richards, Alfre Woodard, John Tuturro, William H. Macy, Vivian Vance and William Frawley
Homemade Cardboard Display (barely functional, always tacky): Tom Arnold, Jon and Kate Gossling (but not the kids), Omarosa, Carrot Top
Vinyl Hanging Signs (last resort, unstable): Screech (Dustin Diamond) from “Saved by the Bell”
— September 7th thru September 11th
I’m traveling for business this week. During several of my meetings, I discovered that not everyone knows what a Classic Project Manager does. That surprised me because our Project Managers are critical to how your quotes, your orders, and even your basic product questions are handled. They are your “eyes” and “ears” at Classic Exhibits. They are your advocate, not only in Customer Service but also when your order goes to our Production Manager and our Production team.
— August 31st thru September 4th
As we all know, the current economic situation in the US and around the world has been the primary focus in the news over the past year. Is it an economic downturn? I don’t care what economists want to label it . . . It’s a freaking recession folks! Whether you want to blame the new guy or the old guy or just some guy named “Guy,” we are in it together. Or are we?
In the end, all of us have one common goal. Make sure people and their organizations continue to attend and exhibit in tradeshows and events. It is, after all, what keeps us all employed. Yet, at least two to three times a week, we hear about people and corporations struggling to decide whether to attend or exhibit at their industry functions. It’s not that we are hearing they can’t afford the exhibit. It’s all the other costs associated with exhibiting at the show. There is a clear feeling in the market that they get “taken advantage of” once they and their freight hits the show floor.
Tips for a Successful Business Trip
Starting in 2000, my primary job has been to travel around the country to meet with potential customers or to work with existing customers. For eight years, I worked for Optima Graphics and for the past year and a half, I have worked for Classic Exhibits/ClassicMODUL. Generally, I would leave either on a Sunday evening or early Monday morning, fly to a city, and visit customers within the area (or within an hour or two of the city). I always tried to schedule a mid-afternoon flight home on Friday so I was home by Friday evening and the weekend. Ten years later (almost), I am a true road warrior and feel qualified to share the keys to a successful business trip.
What You Should Know about Event and Trade Show Etiquette
You have worked hard to design the perfect exhibit and the most effective marketing materials, but your performance in the booth—how your staff greets and assists attendees—will determine whether your show is a success. Booth etiquette refers to the conduct, presentation, and performance of your booth staff. The following are commonsense booth etiquette tips.
— August 24th thru August 28th
The headline this week is clearly self-promoting. But there’s a good reason. Last week we talked about the upturn in business. This week the upturn continued, so much of my time was devoted to orders, quotes, and production.
What the Heck are Hybrid Exhibits (and why is everyone talking about them)?
Perhaps no term is more hyped and less understood in the exhibit industry than “hybrid.” Nearly every exhibit manufacturer and custom builder refers to their latest designs as portable hybrids, modular, hybrids, or even custom hybrids. Why the emphasis on this term? The answer is simple: Value. More than ever, exhibitors are demanding displays that do everything – assemble quickly, look custom, ship light, and reconfigure. Just a few years ago that would have been impossible, but not any more.
Word on the Street — August 17th thru August 21st
Well, I am a happy to say that you are not the only one busy this week, although I was beginning to wonder if the August through October trade show season was ever going to kick into gear. I am working on multiple quotes and projects, trying to get them all finished by mid-afternoon so this week’s post will be brief.
The Secret Life of a Pop Up Display
As you can imagine, pop up displays have secrets. Most are positive and life affirming. Others are tragic and very sad. Typically we don’t share our stories with humans, but as a group we’ve decided it’s about time these secrets are revealed in the hopes of improving the lives of all pop ups.
Word on the Street — August 10th thru August 14th
OK, nobody’s looking, so you’re safe — Raise your hand if you have a Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or MySpace account. If your hand is not up, then you are either lying or you are reading this on paper because you still haven’t figured out how to turn on a computer.
What You Should Know about Exhibit Marketing
Exhibit marketing is all about marketing your products or services to buyers at expositions, conferences, and trade shows. A successful exhibit marketing program will be rewarded with increased revenues, referrals, and industry networking. The goal is to understand how exhibit marketing differs from the other types of marketing.
Word on the Street — August 3rd thru August 7th
By now, I am sure most of you have seen, used, or had some experience with Classic Exhibits’ Design Search. It has proven to be one of the most powerful tools on the web to explore display designs, exhibit photos, and trade show tips.
What You Should Know about Exhibit Budgeting
Companies should define a workable exhibit marketing budget, one that includes all related costs. However, the line between marketing expenses and exhibit marketing expenses can be somewhat fuzzy. You will want to create a well-defined budget that separates them.