What Do You Do With Your Time?: Word on the Street — July 1st thru July 5th
Happy 4th of July
This past week was and probably will go down as the slowest sales week of the year. Having the holiday land on a Thursday can do that. Add to that it’s in July, and you get a whole lot of nothing.
Trade Show Flooring Galleries in EDS — WOW!
Brumark has made significant changes and additions to the Flooring — Carpet and Padding and Flooring – Other Options galleries of Exhibit Design Search!
In addition to enhanced product descriptions and updated images, they’ve added a variety of flooring products to meet just about any application and budget requirement. Here’s a description of the changes from Brumark:
Polishing Perfection: Word on the Street — June 24th thru June 28th
First, the issue. We design, manufacture and sell tradeshow exhibits. We depend on you to find new clients or to work with your existing clients to develop their tradeshow program. But there is, at times, a fly in the ointment or a pink elephant in the room. It’s YOU!
Magellan Portable Hybrid Displays
The Classic distributors who attend Shared Knowledge University (SKU), our comprehensive training program, hear the history and the explanation of our hybrid lines. They always tell us that what was confusing, now makes sense. So, over the next few weeks, I’ll do my best to encapsulate the SKU review into a series of blogs about the Classic Hybrid lines. We’ll begin with Magellan.
Meet Katrina Broten, Our Design Intern: Word on the Street — June 17th thru June 21st
The Classic Family is very happy to welcome Katrina Broten to our Design Department as a Summer Design Intern. Many of you might remember Katrina from earlier postings. She and I met through the EDPA Mentorship Program with Bemidji State University last fall. During her final year, she collaborated with Mike and Katina from the Classic Exhibits Design Department as she worked on her senior projects.
Custom Island Exhibit by Classic Exhibits
The 40′ x 40′ Calypto Island Exhibit was built by Classic Exhibits for Exhibits Northwest Portland. The custom construction island featured a 40 ft entrance with downlighting, backlit reception counters, silicone edge graphics, and three large monitors all framed by two large “C” bookends. Behind the entrance was private meeting rooms. Built using wood cam-lock construction, primarily 4 x 8 panels.
Let Your Fingers Do the Talking: Word on the Street — June 10th thru June 14th
It’s on your desk, in the battery charging cradle at home, or in the tray in your car. Some are black, some are white, some are shiny. They all have numerical keypads . . . keypads that rarely get used by anyone under 35.
It’s Your Phone
iPad Mount — Don’t Be Fooled by This Copy
Whenever I hear someone say, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” I know it’s because they just copied something. We see that a lot with our designs and our innovations. At EXHIBITOR2013, there were two exhibits, one from a Chinese manufacturer and one from an American distributor, that were EXACT copies of our designs. Sigh.
An Example of a Video Testimonial by a Classic Exhibits Distributor
In February, we built a custom 30 x 30 island for Communication One Exhibits in Salem, OR. The client was Bob’s Red Mill, a manufacturer of whole grain products. Anyone who has visited us is familiar with Bob’s Red Mill. The company has a visitor center and restaurant just down the road from Classic Exhibits. We almost always take our out-of-town guests to Bob’s for lunch.
10 Reasons to Love June and July in the Exhibit Biz
Everyone knows the trade show biz is cyclical. It’s busy in August, September, and October. November is a snoozer. December is always a gamble. Then comes January, February, March, and April when all hell breaks loose. And just when you can’t possibly work any harder or sleep any less, it’s late May.
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10 Things We Probably Shouldn’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).
10 Things We Probably Shouldn’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.
10 Things We Probably Shouldn’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! 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.
10 Things We Probably Shouldn’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
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”
Word on the Street — 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.
Word on the Street — 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.
Word on the Street — 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.