Word on the Street by Kevin Carty
Rumors on the Street
Since this was a short week and many of the people I call on or chat with were on vacation, I opted to write about something a little bit different: Rumors on the Street.
There is a bit of an inside joke with this week’s blog.
Many who know me and or who have known Classic for some time know that Classic’s closest vendor partner is Optima Graphics in St. Louis. Optima provides all the tension fabric graphics for the Magellan Displays, Perfect 10 Displays, Visionary Designs Displays, Aero Table Top Displays and Aero Overhead Structures. This had led to the most asked question and assumed rumor over the past 18 months.
Does Optima and/or Jim Hoffmann own Classic Exhibits? If I told you I field this question once a week, I would be lying. Some weeks, I get that question (or a related comment) up to three times a week. Mr. Hoffmann tells me he gets the same question all the time.
Do you ever wonder where industry rumors and assumptions like this come from? I do. Most are harmless and can even be funny.
In doing my “research” for this blog, I went straight to the source, Jim Hoffmann. Here is how the conversation went . . .
Kevin — “So big bossman . . . I mean Mr. Hoffmann, do you own Classic? You know the same Classic Exhibits where I have worked for 15 years?”
Mr. Hoffman — “I get that question a lot Kev. My answer is simple. In my dreams! 🙂 Now get back to work, I am not paying you to goof off!”
In all seriousness, Classic Exhibits is not owned by Jim Hoffmann or Optima Graphics. We are, however, very close Vendor Partners that share a lot of common customers in the trade show exhibit industry.
So, how about you? Have you heard any good juicy industry rumors that you would like to share? Have you been the subject of any tantalizing rumors recently?
Have a great 4th of July Weekend with your families.
Talk to you next week.
Be Well!
–Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a