Trade Show TalesBlog

Your Guide to Renewable Energy Conferences & Trade Shows

March 3rd, 2025 COMMENTS
renewable energy conferences

An Introduction to Sustainable Energy Conferences

Whether you are new to sustainable energy or an expert, renewable energy conferences are a perfect deep dive into the latest technologies, policies, and trends. These conferences can vary in size and focus. Some are large international events with thousands of attendees, while others are smaller regional gatherings. There are even international shows like EnergyTech in Vienna, Austria. 

Many renewable conferences will focus exclusively on sustainable technologies like wind and solar, while others cover a broader range of energy topics. 

No matter the size or focus, renewable energy conferences are important events for anyone who wants to stay informed about the latest developments in this rapidly growing field and contribute to the transition to a clean energy future.

Renewable Energy Conferences & Trade Shows: An Industry Overview

The renewable energy sector is a rapidly evolving field, and conferences and trade shows play a crucial role in its growth. These events serve as vital platforms for:

Technology Showcase:

  • Companies display their latest innovations in solar, wind, energy storage, and other renewable technologies.
  • Attendees can see firsthand the advancements driving the industry forward.
  • Eco-friendly trade show displays are becoming more prevalent, as exhibitors seek sustainable ways to present their products while reducing environmental impact.

Networking and Collaboration:

  • These events bring together industry professionals, policymakers, investors, and researchers, fostering valuable connections.
  • They provide opportunities for businesses to form partnerships, secure funding, and expand their reach.

Knowledge Sharing:

  • Conferences feature presentations and workshops by industry experts, covering topics such as market trends, policy developments, and technological advancements.
  • Attendees can gain insights into the latest research, best practices, and emerging challenges.

Policy and Market Insights:

  • Many events include sessions on government policies, regulatory frameworks, and market analysis, providing valuable information for businesses and investors.
  • These discussions help shape the future of the renewable energy industry.

renewable energy trade shows

Key Trends:

Energy Storage Integration:

  • Energy storage solutions are increasingly important to ensure grid stability and reliability.
  • Advancements in battery technology and other storage systems.

Digitalization and Smart Grids:

  • The role of digital technologies in optimizing renewable energy generation and distribution.
  • The development of smart grids to improve energy efficiency and resilience.

Sector Coupling:

  • The integration of renewable energy with other sectors, such as transportation and heating.
  • The rise of electric vehicles and heat pumps.

Hydrogen’s Role:

  • The growing interest in green hydrogen as a key vector for the energy transition.

Top Renewable Energy Trade Shows & Events to Attend This Year

Below are some of the most popular renewable energy trade shows. But, not all of them. When searching for an energy trade show or conference, consider these trade show directories: 10times.com and thetradeshowcalendar.   

North America

Intersolar & Energy Storage North America (February 25-27, 2025): This major event in San Diego focuses on solar, energy storage, and EV charging infrastructure. Expect a large expo hall, educational sessions, and networking opportunities.

Energy Storage Summit USA (March 26-27, 2025): Held in Dallas, this conference is dedicated to the energy storage market, bringing together industry leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities.

Global

Energy Storage Summit 2025 (February 17-19, 2025): London hosts this summit focused on the booming energy storage sector in Europe.

Pulse 2025 (April 3-4, 2025): Madrid is the location for this event that brings together global renewable energy professionals.

WindEurope Annual Event 2025 (April 8-10, 2025): Copenhagen will host this major wind energy event.

World Hydrogen 2025 Summit & Exhibition (May 20-22, 2025): Held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, this is the largest dedicated hydrogen event, attracting professionals from around the globe.

solar energy trade shows

Popular Solar Energy Trade Shows & Events

Solar & Energy Storage Summit (April 23-24, 2025): This summit in Denver gathers senior leaders from across the US solar and storage industries.

Intersolar and Energy Storage North America (February 25-27, 2025). Held at the San Diego Convention Center, InterSolar is a leading solar and energy storage event in the United States

Solar & Storage Live London 2025 (April 2-3, 2025): This event explores the thriving solar and energy storage industry in the UK.

Attending a solar energy trade show can be incredibly beneficial for individuals and organizations. Here are 5 key reasons:

  1. Networking Opportunities: Trade shows bring together industry professionals, creating a valuable space to connect with potential partners, clients, and investors.
  2. Stay Updated on Industry Trends: These events showcase the latest advancements in solar technology, including new products, services, and innovations.
  3. Discover New Products and Technologies: Trade shows provide a platform to see and experience cutting-edge solar products and solutions firsthand.
  4. Gain Market Insights: Attending industry-specific conferences and workshops provides valuable insights into market dynamics, competitive landscapes, and regulatory environments.
  5. Learn About Solar Energy: Trade shows offer educational sessions and workshops that provide information on solar energy technologies, applications, and benefits.

Finally, Solar energy conferences are an excellent opportunity to explore career opportunities in the solar energy industry. Networking with industry leaders can open doors to potential employment and advancement. 

How to Power Up Your Presence at Clean Energy Conferences & Trade Shows

  • For Attendees:
    • Best practices for networking and making meaningful industry connections.
    • How to prepare questions for panel discussions and workshops.
    • Tips for leveraging social media and event apps to enhance engagement.
  • For Exhibitors:
    • Strategies for designing an engaging trade show booth.
    • How to attract and retain visitor attention with interactive displays.
    • The importance of sustainability messaging in booth design.
  • Encourage attendees to set clear goals for their participation—whether networking, learning, or exhibiting.
clean energy conferences

Eco-Friendly Displays for Renewable Energy Events

Sustainable or eco-friendly trade show exhibits are no longer a niche within the exhibit industry. Exhibitors have spoken and are demanding greener solutions that fulfill their company’s sustainable mission. Some exhibitors assume an eco-friendly trade show booth should be chunky, clunky, and crunchy. They can be, but most are contemporary designs that are indistinguishable from any other exhibit on the trade show floor. For example, Eco-systems Exhibits are modern, modular exhibits with choices ranging in both price and size. 

At renewable energy events, eco-friendly displays are more of an expectation. But don’t feel like you have to jump into the sustainable pool headfirst. It’s not an either/or choice. There’s a middle ground where you can make sustainable choices that align with your marketing goals and budget without going 100 percent granola. Whether you opt for 75-, 50-, or even 30-percent sustainable components, you’re still making a big impact. Here are several eco-friendly, mix-and-match ways to decrease the environmental impact of your exhibit.

Green Printing. There’s a wide range of sustainable options for direct prints and on recycled fabric, even backlighting. 

Rentals: Rentals exhibits are the ultimate sustainable solution. And very cost-effective. However, your booth doesn’t need to be 100% rental. Consider adding custom exhibit components for the best of both worlds. 

Modular Wall Systems:  Aluminum modular wall systems dominate the trade show floor. They’re lightweight, reconfigurable, attractive, and even recyclable. As a bonus, the modularity makes it perfect for an exhibitor with a heavy trade show schedule that includes a range of inline and island sizes. 

LED Lighting: Halogen, incandescent, and fluorescent lights have largely disappeared from the trade show floor. And no one misses them. The switch to LEDs has expanded the lighting possibilities to backlit graphics, accent lighting, and logos. It’s even gotten easier to backlight hanging signs. If you have a booth with energy-intensive lighting, it’s time to upgrade. The cost is reasonable, and the lights will almost always outlast your exhibit.

Most exhibit builders have access to sustainable building materials. And designing and building with those materials is no different than using the non-sustainable options. An eco-friendly booth will look the same, have the same build quality, and be equal in performance. 

renewable energy trade show

Get Ready for the Next Big Renewable Energy Conference

When choosing a Renewable Energy Conference, consider your specific interests within the renewable energy sector (solar, wind, storage, etc.). Think about the geographic focus of the conference and whether it aligns with your market. Finally, embrace the networking opportunities and the participation of  industry players when making a decision. And if you’re ready to begin the process of designing a sustainable exhibit, the Classic Exhibits Distributor Network has more eco-friendly exhibit experience than anyone else in North America. 

The Classic Exhibits Distributor Network includes over 200 exhibit houses and display professionals in North America. Find success on the trade show floor with an exhibit that reflects your marketing message. For more information, see www.classicexhibits.com and explore Exhibit Design Search or request a meeting with a Classic Distributor Partner.

Tariffs, Prices, and the Exhibit Industry

February 27th, 2025 3 COMMENTS
Tariffs and the Exhibit Industry
The Exhibit Industry and Tariffs

Classic Distributor Partners and Friends:

Lots of questions, speculation, and intrigue are swirling around tariffs and all things tariff related. Even if you try to avoid the news, you’re still hearing about tariffs along with inflation, gas, and eggs.

Kevin Carty, Classic Exhibits
Kevin Carty, Classic Exhibits

So the big question is — “Will this affect Classic’s prices?”  Which is a fair question since Classic, like other builders, uses a lot of aluminum, which is tied to the 232 tariff on steel and aluminum.

Short and simple answer is prices will increase on selective items. No companies can absorb the ongoing increases along with those in March. Some suppliers have intimated that these increases will not impact their pricing. Frankly, that’s foolish to say or to believe.

Classic’s History with Imports

Allow me to share some history (and to cushion the overall message). Years ago, we (Classic) moved several profiles from China due to the ADD law/ruling (see definition below).

We “onshored” those profiles to domestic extruders, then made secondary dies for about 12 common profiles for a supplier in Vietnam. As a result, the original China tariffs were negligible, but the ADD fees on our containers from Vietnam have continued to increase.

So, what about the price increases? Over the past few years, we have absorbed some of the increases rather than implementing across the board price changes. Instead, we made targeted increases based on those materials. It made no sense to increase an entire kit design by 25% when the laminated wood components and graphics weren’t affected.

Starting in March, if you purchase aluminum components from us or a Gravitee Modular Frame, it will be a bit more. Ranging from 8% to 15% depending on the profile and where we have it pressed.

Now, here’s where the tariffs get a bit more complicated. For example, why would any of the profiles you press in the US be increased? Well, the “devil is in details.” Most of the aluminum billets used at USA extrusion plants come from offshore locations. As their prices increase, they pass those prices along to us.  

Are you still with me? I know this isn’t a sexy topic. Bear with me a little longer as I share some tariff background.

Engineered Aluminum Extrusion

Background Information about 232 and 301 Tariffs

Rob Cohen from DSL and I have represented our industry, via EDPA Advocacy, on all things tariff related for the past 6-7 years now. We speak monthly with other industries and to countless elected officials in and around DC.

Here are some Cliff Notes that I think are important as you absorb the news regarding tariffs. Specifically, the 232 and the 301 tariffs:

232 – Steel and Aluminum Tariff

301 – Finished Goods Tariff – electronics, machinery, toys, plastics and much more

1. Tariffs are apolitical

  • Trump 1.0 Tariffs added to China
  • Biden renewed the tariffs as they were set to expire and was working on and implementing increases and expansion to tariffs during his 4-year term
  • Trump 2.0 tariffs
  • Tariffs have generated over $300 BILLION in revenue for the US government. (do you think they want to see that go away?)

2. Section 232 and 301 tariffs are two different categories of tariffs on top of tariffs that already existed

3. No Exemptions

Under the new additional proposed tariffs (going into effect in March 2025) – there is no right to file for any exemptions or exclusionary language.

This is the HUGE detail that gets overlooked by many. Basically, even if you are a top 10 business in the US economy, after March 12, 2025 all tariffs in place, existing, additional or reciprocal, will affect ALL US Businesses bringing items in from offshore

4. Congress has no authority to legislate tariffs! None.

  • The US Trade Representative (USTR) has this authority and is guided by the Executive Branch (President) only

5. As of today –

Tariffs are to be imposed on goods from ALL countries that apply tariffs to the importation of goods from the US

6. We get asked all the time.

  • “Can’t you just get the materials you need in another country?” NO, all countries are now “likely” to subject to the tariffs in the coming weeks/months and varying percentage rates.
  • It’s very expensive to get new safety listings (UL) for electrical parts – New molds for extrusions…items like this must be created new when you change factories let along countries. And even in the US you cannot use the same molds or listings from one factory to the next
  • We have not even discussed the subject of the cost of mfg in the USA

7. General matters to consider:

  • The HTS code assigned to a product impacts the amount of the tariff to be paid
  • Companies cannot stop innovating because of the imposition of tariffs.  We must continue to still be creative and develop products that will enhance face to face marketing
  • We are all in the same “boat” professionally and personally
  • There is a workforce development challenge in the US. Even if we were to move all manufacturing back to the US – the workforce does not exist to handle the additional manufacturing load
  • Last 12 months have shown a decline in the number of people who are members of unions.
  • Many of the NEW tariffs coming are not “replacing” the existing ones, they are being layered atop the existing ones
  • Port fees go much further than just the tariffs you hear daily about today in the news. With aluminum for example you have the ADD fees (Anti-Dumping fees) which can range from 25% to 125% of the invoice value of the material you are bringing in depending on which country it is coming from. This determination is made by CBP (customs) at the port based on your manifested items
  • A BIG note worth mentioning is the specifying language now in the ADD documentation. It specifically includes “tradeshow display fixtures and framing

This is all a moving target so be watchful of “reciprocal” tariff talk. It could be even more impactful on us all, again personally and professionally.

In Simple Terms

Let’s look at Indonesia. Indonesia charges approx. 37% tariff on all US imports. So, if the current administration decides to apply a reciprocal tariff to all things coming from Indonesia, then we would need to consider the impact. Look at the volume of plywood (various species) used in the US for home building, exhibit building, and more. Many retailers and lumber brokers source from Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, Canada and Europe for our sheet goods (wood).

I don’t say this to scare anyone. Rather you need to be prepared should the reciprocal tariffs take effect in any meaningful way in the coming months.

Again, my apologies for this long-winded update/post, but I wanted to give you some context to the “why” when it comes to any price increases you may see not only from Classic but also from all suppliers.  

I thank you all for your ongoing partnership for the past 33 years. We are grateful for your trust in us as your private label manufacturer.

— Kevin Carty, Executive Vice President

For over 30 years, Classic Exhibits has been designing and building creative custom solutions for our Distributor Partners and their clients. As North America’s largest private-label exhibit manufacturer, we have the unmatched capability, capacity, and creativity to create 3D projects ranging from 10 x 10 inline displays to 60 x 80 double-deck islands. 

Find success on the trade show floor with an exhibit that reflects your marketing message. For more information, see www.classicexhibits.com and explore Exhibit Design Search or request a meeting with a Classic Distributor Partner.

Classic Exhibits Awarded EDPA 2024 Sustainability Award

February 24th, 2025 COMMENTS
Classic Exhibits EDPA Eddie Sustainability Award

In December 2024, Classic Exhibits was honored at EDPA ACCESS with the Eddie Award for Best Sustainability.

Since 2007, Classic Exhibits has produced 1000s of sustainable exhibits through its Eco-Systems ecoSmart line. No other display manufacturer has been as committed to offering affordable eco-friendly displays than Classic Exhibits.

EDPA Sustainability Award
Sustainability Award

Sustainability in the exhibit industry has gone through periodic waves of interest, both by exhibitors and builders. Builders are quick to promote their green credentials when sustainability is fashionable and ignore it when it isn’t. Exhibitors want green options if the prices are comparable to non-eco-friendly alternatives and the designs are competitive.

During those ups and downs, our commitment hasn’t wavered. We’ve expanded the design choices and fine-tuned the materials, so the costs are comparable to our non-sustainable displays.

Our sincere thanks to EDPA for the recognition and to the Classic Distributor Network for trusting us for their sustainable exhibit needs.

(3) New Sustainable Exhibit Designs

For over 30 years, Classic Exhibits has been designing and building creative custom solutions for our Distributor Partners and their clients. As North America’s largest private-label exhibit manufacturer, we have the unmatched capability, capacity, and creativity to create 3D projects ranging from 10 x 10 inline displays to 60 x 80 double-deck islands. 

Find success on the trade show floor with an exhibit that reflects your marketing message. For more information, see www.classicexhibits.com and explore Exhibit Design Search or request a meeting with a Classic Distributor Partner.

Trade Show Planning: A Step-by-Step Guide

February 11th, 2025 COMMENTS
Trade show planning

We all know the expression, “If you fail to plan, then plan to fail.” Which, if we’re honest, isn’t always true. Some projects don’t require much planning. Trade shows, and in particular trade show marketing and exhibition, do require careful and systematic planning to be successful.

Yet, there are companies that devote less time to their trade show planning than they would to a 4-year-old’s birthday party. 

It’s nuts… especially when you consider the cost of trade shows and the lost opportunities when trade show planning is handled haphazardly. But you’re not that person, right? You want your trade show program to be professional and financially successful, which is why you’re reading this article. 

The Importance of Trade Show Planning 

Trade show planning is crucial for businesses to maximize their return on investment (ROI) or return on objectives (ROO). A clear and comprehensive plan ensures that companies maximize their sales opportunities while minimizing costs (and stress). 

Any “live event” can be unpredictable and trade shows are no exception. However, what’s often described as “unpredictable” by some exhibitors, like shipping, labor, or show services, is more often the result of poor planning. Everyone and every company that provides services to exhibitors understands that communicating deadlines, pricing, timelines, and expectations makes everyone’s job easier. They don’t want surprises any more than you do. 

Regarding what size exhibit to buy or rent, as a general rule, a 10 x 10 booth is sufficient for a small business. At 100 square feet, you can accommodate at least four people at once, two staffers and two attendees. Consider a 10 x 20 for a medium business and islands for a larger business. The size of the booth, however, depends on your goals and products. At a trade show, size matters, but it should complement, not dictate your exhibit marketing goals.

Trade Show Event Planning: The Basics

Assign one person to be in charge of timetables and scheduling. Assign another person to draw up the trade show budget and define the marketing goals. This person will have to account for the cost of renting or buying a booth, the cost of accessories such as literature racks, as well as travel expenses. Travel expenses will vary depending on the location and duration of your stay. If you decide to rent, you should expect to budget:

  • 25% on renting your booth space
  • 20% on design and graphics
  • 15% on electrical, cleaning, and drayage
  • 10% on shipping materials to and from the trade show
  • 10% on press kits and pre-show promotions
  • 20% on staffing, travel, and other miscellaneous expenses


If you decide to purchase an exhibit, you will want to work with a professional exhibit designer. Most exhibit distributors have a designer on staff or rely on their exhibit manufacturer to supply design and rendering services. You will need to follow the rules and regulations on booth design for your particular show as well as observe basics such as fire, electrical, and safety codes and provide wheelchair accessibility. Rely on your exhibit designer who understands these requirements.

trade show event planning

Trade Show Planning Guide: Key Steps to Success 

By investing in comprehensive trade show planning, businesses can maximize their chances of achieving their goals, generating new leads, building brand awareness, and securing new business opportunities.

Define Clear Goals and Objectives: Without clear goals, it’s impossible to measure the success of a trade show participation. Thorough planning helps identify specific objectives, such as generating leads, increasing brand awareness, or launching new products.

Develop a Strategic Budget: Trade shows can be costly, so creating a detailed budget is essential to avoid overspending. Planning allows for accurate budgeting for booth space, staff expenses, travel, accommodation, and marketing materials.

Design an Engaging Booth: The booth is the company’s face at the trade show, so it needs to be visually appealing, informative, and functional. Planning ensures that the booth design aligns with the brand message and effectively attracts visitors.

Prepare a Pre-Show Marketing Campaign: Trade show success often hinges on pre-show marketing efforts. Planning allows for strategic campaigns to generate interest, drive traffic to the booth, and schedule appointments with potential customers.

Train Your Staff: Trade show staff should be knowledgeable about the company’s products or services and well-prepared to engage with visitors. Planning ensures that staff is trained on sales techniques, lead capture methods, and answering common questions.

Establish Lead Capture and Follow-Up Systems: Effective lead capture is crucial for converting trade show interactions into future business opportunities. Planning involves setting up systems to capture leads digitally or on paper and establishing a follow-up process to nurture those leads.

Measure and Evaluate Results: After the trade show, it’s important to evaluate the results and identify areas for improvement. Planning facilitates the collection of relevant data, such as lead generation, booth traffic, and customer interactions, to measure the success of the event.

trade show planning guide

Leveraging a Trade Show Planning Checklist

Strategy and details drive trade show success. For new exhibitors, the details (and the steps) can be just as opaque as the terminology. Fortunately, there are handy online tools for creating a trade show checklist

Having a checklist also ensures nothing gets forgotten or overlooked, which can and will happen to new exhibitors. There are big “Oh No’s!” like not scheduling freight to and from the show, booking labor to install and disassemble your exhibit, and forgetting to purchase flooring. Then there are the “Oh Darn!” tasks like not including cleaning supplies in the case/crate, sending literature at the last minute, or not ordering lead retrieval until you arrive at the show.

Preliminary items on your checklist should include: 

  • Exhibition goals and strategy
  • Budget
  • Departmental responsibilities 
  • Show date(s) and due dates for ordering services
  • Exhibit design meeting(s)
  • Graphic design meeting(s)
  • Identifying booth staffing and responsibilities
  • Booking travel and lodging
  • Creating pre-show, show, and post-show marketing/sales plans, including sponsorships, mailings, invitations, and in-booth events.
  • Designing and ordering promotional materials and giveaways
  • Scheduling freight to and from the show

Understanding the Role of a Trade Show Planner

Start by assigning someone as the “master trade show planner.” They don’t have to make every decision, but they do have to own the list, including additions, revisions, and due dates. In other words, someone has to be the adult about your trade show planning. 

Having a Trade Show Checklist and a Master Planner will ensure you maximize your budget.  They will remind the team to book travel, lodging, freight, and promotional materials. In addition, they will complete the show forms during the early bird dates. 

For many trade show rookies (and experienced freight professionals), trade show logistics can be confusing. Convention centers, general contractors, and even shippers treat trade show freight, whether LTL or UPS, a little differently. To avoid any missteps, be sure to review the shipping guidelines carefully in the show’s exhibitor handbook and click on the trade show logistics link in this paragraph for a deeper dive in the do’s and don’ts.  

Finally, trade shows are stressful and stress is the exact opposite of what you want during a show. Fortunately for the Master Planner, with each passing show, trade show checklist management becomes easier – and it’s not because the number of tasks gets shorter.  Knowledge and experience make the job easier. Completing the electrical form, which gave you hives, takes minutes instead of hours. And, after a few hiccups, you understand when to schedule I&D labor vs. rigging vs. flooring. You’ve done the trade show choreography and every move, every step has a logic that seemed utterly random before. 

Trade Show Management: Ensuring a Smooth Experience 

Who is trade show management? It’s less straightforward than it appears. At most shows or events, there are three management teams, each with different responsibilities. Knowing who does what will make your life considerably easier if you encounter issues or simply need answers to questions. 

Exhibition, Convention, or Show Hall Management:  Every exhibit hall or event venue has a team that handles sales and marketing, schedules shows, maintains the facility, and negotiates contracts with unions, food vendors, and janitorial services. They are responsible for the management and success of the building. For smaller shows, meetings, or events, they may even serve as the show management. 

Show Management:  Whether it’s a local boat show or the annual trade show for the American Cardiology Association, the “show” is owned and managed by a company or an association. They are responsible for everything associated with the show without necessarily handling every activity. For example, they identify the location for the show and negotiate space and services with the facility management. They also contract with a General Show Contractor to handle drayage, electrical, pipe and drape, signage, labor, etc. However, the show management devotes much of their time to marketing the show, developing education sessions, scheduling speakers, creating social events, soliciting sponsors, and registering attendees and exhibitors. 

General Show Contractor (GSC); Most exhibitors interact primarily with the General Show Contractor and often confuse the GSC with both Show Management or Show Hall Management. As mentioned before, the GSC handles a variety of functions for exhibitors, depending on the show. These may include moving and storing freight, electrical services, cleaning, labor, sign rigging, rental furniture, and in some cases even renting exhibits. The GSC has a contract with Show Management and when an exhibitor hits a wall resolving a problem with the GSC, they should contact Show Management, who typically has a temporary office in the show hall. 

The Exhibitor Advocate:  The Exhibitor Advocate is a non-profit advocacy group that provides exhibitors with education, resources, and assistance with trade show challenges. They’re not show management nor are they at the show. Instead, they are a valuable partner who can help exhibitors address challenges and prominent pain points to ensure your events remain a valuable and irreplaceable marketing channel.

The Exhibitor Advocate’s mission is to amplify the voice of exhibitors to ensure the enduring success of exhibitions and events by collaborating with all stakeholders to promote and cultivate open communication, consistent standards, and industry best practices.

trade show management

Seamless Exhibit Planning with Classic Exhibits! 

Successful trade show marketing doesn’t happen by accident. There’s always a strategy and a plan. The key is identifying the right strategy and executing the right plan. For over 30 years, Classic Exhibits has been a reliable source of expertise for new and seasoned trade show marketers. 

The Classic Exhibits Distributor Network includes over 200 exhibit houses and display professionals in North America. Find success on the trade show floor with an exhibit that reflects your marketing message. For more information, see www.classicexhibits.com and explore Exhibit Design Search or request a meeting with a Classic Distributor Partner.

Trade Show Planning FAQ

Below are 4 common exhibitor questions related to trade show planning. 

1. How early should I start planning for a trade show? 

Let’s assume that planning means, at a minimum, deciding to exhibit, the size of the floor space, and the location on the show floor. For most shows, the show organizer requires a commitment soon after the previous show. You don’t have to commit then, but it means you’ll have few options about your booth location. 

The exhibit design process should start about six months in advance, even if you already have an exhibit and are only planning tweaks to the structure or the graphics. Waiting almost always leads to higher costs and design compromises. 

2. What is the most important part of trade show planning?

Not to sound sarcastic, but it’s the actual planning. Far too many exhibitors treat a trade show as a company vacation. They don’t have a strategy. They miss details and deadlines. They don’t coordinate the sales and marketing teams or involve other departments in the company. Even the C-level executives are often in the dark. As a result, they spend too much money and grumble about the results. Exhibitors who stumble into a trade show rarely leave with positive results.  

3. How do I choose the right trade show for my business?

No two businesses are identical. Even businesses that are competitors. If you are unsure about whether to participate in a specific trade show, do the following: 

  1. Go as an attendee before committing to be an exhibitor. Wander the floor, and talk to other attendees about why they attend and their objectives. 
  2. Contact friendly competitors or other exhibitors listed on the show’s website. Contact them about their history and success at the show.

Talk to the show organizer. This may seem obvious, but most potential exhibitors never take the time to ask the show organizer for advice. They know their audience, and they want to show to be successful. They can assist with not only if you should participate, but also how to land running. 

4. What should I expect from my exhibit house?

Guidance, knowledge, and support. A trade show professional’s job is to ensure your trade show marketing program is successful. Designing, building, and storing your exhibit are services, important services, but any exhibit house can do that. You should expect more, much more. By tapping into their experience, you’ll sidestep the most common mistakes exhibitors make. Plus, they will share trade show trends, strategies, and vendors.   

Booth #339 at EXHIBITORLIVE 2025

February 9th, 2025 COMMENTS

At EXHIBITORLIVE in San Antonio, Classic Exhibits will be in Booth #339, a 20 x 20 island.

Coincidence or Conspiracy?

You’re thinking, “Booth #339? Hmmm… Why do I know that number?”

Harold Mintz
Harold Mintz, Conspiracy Theorist

Number 339 just happens to be the most highly researched and studied number in our Arabic Numbering System. What you may not know is that Classic Exhibits and “339” have a long and somewhat mysterious relationship. Some think it’s a coincidence. Perhaps even a conspiracy!!

You be the judge…

1). It takes exactly 339 steps to walk to Classic’s Booth #339 from the Henry B. Gonzolez convention hall main entrance. Coincidence or Conspiracy?

2). Last year Classic Exhibits rented 339 booths that were 10×20 or larger. And in 2024, Classic Distributors earned exactly $33,900 in Rental Rebates. Coincidence or Conspiracy?

3). When the show opens in San Antonio next month, Classic Exhibits will be celebrating 33 years and 9 months in business. Coincidence or Conspiracy?

EXHIBITORLIVE 2025

4). Section 33, Paragraph 9 of The Exhibitor Handbook clearly states, “…Creativity, Trustworthiness and Experience are the CLASSIC ingredients to offering Clients a superior booth and show experience.”  Coincidence or Conspiracy?

5). Last year, Classic Exhibits created 3 displays that were 39 ft. tall for the Guinness Book of World Records. Coincidence or Conspiracy?

6). There are 33 barbecue restaurants in San Antonio — 9 of them offer “Classic Pulled Pork.” Coincidence or Conspiracy?

7.) Since its inception in 1945 Baskin Robbins has created 339 flavors of ice cream. The most popular flavor ever… CLASSIC COOKIES AND CREAM. Coincidence or Conspiracy?

8.) 339 in Roman Numerals is CCCXXXIX – Classic Classic Classic Xhibits Xhibits Xhibits Incredible Xhibits. Coincidence or Conspiracy?

Visit Us at EXHIBITORLIVE

We urge you to visit us at booth #339 in San Antonio. Where you’ll learn the many reasons why Classic is the exhibit industry’s leading private-label designer and builder.

BTW… Take a guess how many reasons there are? Go ahead. Guess!

For over 30 years, Classic Exhibits has been designing and building creative custom solutions for our Distributor Partners and their clients. As North America’s largest private-label exhibit manufacturer, we have the unmatched capability, capacity, and creativity to create 3D projects ranging from 10 x 10 inline displays to 60 x 80 double-deck islands. 

Find success on the trade show floor with an exhibit that reflects your marketing message. For more information, see www.classicexhibits.com and explore Exhibit Design Search or request a meeting with a Classic Distributor Partner.