Word on the Street — April 12th thru April 16th

Trade Show Blog

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

“On the Road Again”!

I hope last week was a great one for you! It certainly was for me. I was on the road visiting customers and partners. I also met with several “future” partners.

Here are some of the things I learned that continue to give me hope for the state of the trade show industry.

#1 — Sales are increasing everywhere.

Mostly inline displays but A LOT OF THEM. I received many positive comments about the Classic Hybrid lines such as Perfect 10, Magellan, and Sacagawea. Distributors appreciate the design differences they see in our lines.

#2 — The outlook, while still tenuous, is looking brighter.

Our crystal ball shows that sales are increasing, which is what we all want. There’s more chatter about ordering new displays and attending shows.

#3 — Smaller island designs are coming back. This fall looks good in that regard.

Mainly 20 x 20 and 20 x 30 hybrids, but with good budgets. Yippee!

#4 — New product development at Classic is in full swing.

Expect some unique product designs from Classic in Q3. We’re keeping it under wraps for now, but I promise you they will be truly different.

#5 —  Our partnerships are stronger than ever.

I am anticipating a big announcement as it relates to ClassicMODUL sometime in the next six months. But again, I’ll just tease you with that for now.

Everyone during my trip seemed to agree that May, June and July are “wait and see” months. There’s a great deal of optimism right now, and from the look of things, we expect the normal summer doldrums to be healthier this year.

So . . . to those I visited, had nice meals with, had productive meetings with, played games with at Dave and Busters, and planned the future with . . . thanks so very much for making my week enjoyable and productive.

Be well and have a safe and restful weekend. Let me know what you are hearing and seeing in your market.

–Kevin Carty

http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a

Recent Posts

Top Technology Trade Shows and Exhibit Setup Tips

Technology companies understand that a successful trade show can boost their sales for the year. As a result, they take their trade show planning seriously. They develop a comprehensive strategy for their pre-show, show, and post show activities.

Hybrid Booth Layout Tips for Hardware & Software

In the days of yore, trade show exhibits were simple:  graphics, products, and lights. Today’s exhibits feature hybrid booth layouts blending hardware and software. This physical and digital combination creates both design complexity and marketing opportunities.

EuroShop 2026 Design Trends

Recently, Kevin Carty and Katina Rigall Zipay from Classic Exhibits attend EuroShop 2026 in Duesseldorf, Germany. While there, they posted two videos of their experience including exhibition design trends like colors, shapes, materials, and lighting

Small Booth Strategies for First-Time Fancy Food Exhibitors

Are you a first-time exhibitor at the Summer Fancy Food Show in NYC? Congratulations! The SFFS is a marathon of tasting, networking, and business deals, open only to qualified members of the food trade. Think retail buyers, distributors, chefs, and the press. Expect to see over 32,000 attendees, 2500 exhibitors, and 180,000 specialty food and beverages on display.

Booth Design Ideas That Help Biotech Brands Stand Out at BIO 2026

Are you an exhibitor or an attendee at BIO? If you’re an exhibitor, you’re probably wondering how individual biotech brands stand out at the BIO International Convention? The key is knowing your audience, creating a comprehensive strategy, and designing a stunning biotech booth design.

Trade Shows are a Journey. Send Sacagawea.

The Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Display is an American-engineered and built system designed for professional exhibitors. It’s meant to last for years, look amazing, and setup fast from the first to the fiftieth show. No compromises.

Introducing the New Classic Website!

Good websites are never fully done. They evolve… and the new Classic website makes changes much easier. So, if “stuff” moves around or we add new features, it’s because we’re antsy about the status quo at Classic Exhibits. Which shouldn’t surprise you.

What Makes a Good Trade Show Booth?

When it comes to creating a good trade show booth, you are in luck. The booth design is the fun part for most exhibitors. You get to work with an exhibit designer who has your trade show goals and budget, along with an understanding of your customers, your culture and your branding. While the question “What makes a good trade show booth?” depends on the exhibitor, there are commonalities to every good trade show exhibit. We’ll explore those similarities in this article.

More Mix & Match Rentals from Classic Rental Solutions

About a month ago, we launched Classic’s Mix & Match Rental Guide as a tool to streamline the rental decision process with a comprehensive set of towers, counters, lightboxes, and kiosks. This “smarter not harder” approach was intended to make your job easier.

Our Membership in the Xperiential Marketplace

Classic Exhibits announces our membership in Xperiential Marketplace (XM), an innovative buying and education group for the exhibit industry. XM was founded by two industry veterans, Jason Weddle and Rob Cohen with a mission to unlock savings, create stronger partnerships, and increase growth.

The Power of a Branded Trade Show Exhibit: Strategy + Examples

Marketing professionals and exhibit designers know how to create a branded trade show exhibit that attracts traffic to the booth and maximizes the attendee’s experience. It starts with understanding the brand’s identity and creating a detailed strategic plan for the trade show.