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Archive for January, 2012

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The Great “Classic” Tradeshow Wall

January 30th, 2012 Mel White COMMENTS

Classic’s Great Tradeshow Wall

Sometime you just gotta take a flyer and throw it out there. If it sticks, it sticks. Jeffrey D. Brown has created an intriguing concept called The Tradeshow Wall, based on his success with The Guitar Wall. It’s part advertising, part resource center, part artwork. And, of course, it’s 100 percent unique.

We agreed to participate in the original free wall. Then after seeing it, we took the next step and had Jeff create a Classic Great Tradeshow Wall that includes images from Classic Exhibits, ClassicMODUL, and Classic Rentals. I like it.

FAQ’s from Jeff’s website:

Q: What’s the purpose of The Tradeshow Wall?

First, of course… is to do good… and do it well. Moreover, our goal is to create a highly recognizable, iconic site that is both an engaging and efficient referral resource for visitors, AND an effective and measurable marketing vehicle for Wall spaceholders fueled by a unique combination of simplicity and creativity… all in one sentence.

Q: Does it cost anything?

Well, that’s the good news. We’re giving away Wall spaces on a first come, first served basis (but we have a lot of Wall space to give away and don’t expect to run out anytime soon.) So the answer is NO… but, YES if you want to spend a little… like for high-quality custom professional (and creative) artwork for your wall space, or an Optional (but not necessary) Wall Space Management Account. Of course, now you can add more or bigger wall spaces beyond your free space or rent premium, top-row Wall spaces…or possibly your own… yes, your own Great Tradeshow Wall. But otherwise… NO.

Q: What’s the benefit of having a free Wall space on The Tradeshow Wall?

Well, let’s start with the low hanging fruit… it’s FREE. So that means ROI is relatively easy to achieve. Meaning that if you got one (1) new prospective, potential, reasonably qualified visitor to your landing page or website… you’re, as we say… ahead of the game. And then we can extrapolate from there.

Q: Who will visit The Tradeshow Wall and how will they know about it?

That’s an easy one. You may know that ten (10) years ago we started an odd little website called Tradeshow Blues… and a few other properties. Along the way we’ve connected with hundreds of thousands of tradeshow and event enthusiasts (Who would have thought?). We’ll start there… and throw in our social media reach, some email, a few strategic placements… and probably some measured yelling where appropriate.

Q: How do you know this Wall concept works?

Well, we’ve had well over a million (1,000,000) visitors to The Guitar Wall which has generated hundreds of thousands of referrals to our spaceholders’ sites and landing pages… for starters.

Take a few minutes to explore Classic’s wall. And let us know what you think. Cheers!

–Mel White
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
mel@classicexhibits.com

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Based in Portland, Oregon, Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, and custom-hybrid exhibit solutions. Classic Exhibits products are represented by an extensive distributor network in North America and in select International markets. For more information, contact us at 866-652-2100 or www.classicexhibits.com.

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This, That, and The Other: Word on the Street — Jan. 23rd thru Jan. 27th

January 27th, 2012 Mel White 1 COMMENT
This and That

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

It’s Mel. This week, I’m filling in for Kevin who is at Disneyland treating his five-year old twins to the Magic Kingdom. For those on the East Coast and in the South, yes, there’s still a Disney Park on the West Coast. I know. It seems weird with Disney World a mere 3000 miles away, but five-year olds don’t know the difference . . . yet.

This week we’ll share some odds and ends . . .

EXHIBITOR 2012

It is oh so close. A mere five weeks away. We’ll be in booth #1645, a 20′ x 30′. And just like your typical customers, the exhibit design is nearly done, we’ve outlined the graphic concepts, and we’re juggling 100 balls at the same time. Next year, “we’ll be done by December,” our mantra since 2005.

  • Classic Exhibits / Eco-Systems Sustainable Reception. We’ll host a reception on Tuesday, March 6, in a Mandalay Bay Suite. The reception will be from approximate 3:30 to 7 pm, or until we exhaust our beer, wine, and snacks. Please touch base with us on Monday or Tuesday at EXHIBITOR for the room number.
  • Optima Graphics Reception. You’ll also see our friendly faces at the Optima Graphics Reception on Monday March 5 in the Mandalay Islander D-E Ballroom. Please check with our good friends at Optima for details.
  • Other Classic Exhibits Displays. Based on our latest count, there should be around four or five Classic-built displays at EXHIBITOR. Ask us about them at the show, and we’ll give you an unofficial tour.
  • New Product Showcase. This year we submitted the MOD-211 iPad Counter Insert into the EXHIBITOR New Product Showcase. The MOD-211 is available on most Classic Counters, Pedestals, and Workstations. It’s an easy and secure way to transform any counter top into a iPad station. You’ll see several examples in our booth.
  • FREE Pass. For a free pass to the show hall compliments of Classic Exhibits and ClassicMODUL, click HERE.

Upcoming Promotion

We’ve teamed up with Marlys Arnold, the Image Specialist, to offer her book Build a Better Trade Show Image to your customers. Starting in mid-February, we’ll include an “Our Gift to You” promotional postcard with most inline and island hybrid displays, such as Sacagawea, Magellan, Perfect 10, Visionary Designs, and SEGUE. The postcard will have a unique code where they can download the 280+ page e-book on how to launch, improve, finesse, or fix their trade show marketing program. It’s an excellent book, valued at $27, which every trade show expert or novice should own.

To see the download page, please go to www.imagespecialist.com/classicexhibits. Marlys will be at EXHIBITOR 2012, including several sessions in the Classic Exhibits booth and (probably) at the Classic Reception. We encourage you to meet Marlys and pick her brain on training programs available to you and to your customers.

ClassicMODUL Aluminum Extrusions

We hesitate to use this term . . . but the ClassicMODUL website is now “sexy.” Well, as sexy as engineered aluminum extrusion can get. We’ve made a number of significant changes to the website, including easier navigation, an extrusion depot site legend, and a very cool page flipping tool to browse the MODUL 6.0 Index. In the next week or so, we’ll also be adding extrusion photos in addition to the renderings.

When do you order from ClassicMODUL (and not Classic Exhibits)? Whenever you are ordering cut or full-length extrusions on projects you are project managing yourself. ClassicMODUL provides CAD services and can detail the extrusions you’ll need. They can guide you toward the most cost-effective solutions based on your design. Plus . . . there are ClassicMODUL extrusion depots in Portland, OR, Cheshire, CT, and Birmingham, AL.

Some New Products You May Have Missed (in Your Haste to Make a Living and Have a Life)

MOD-211 iPad Counter Insert for Trade Shows

MOD-211 iPad Counter Insert

  1. LTE-1001 and LTG-1001 Tapered Pedestals:  These are less expensive versions of the always popular LTK-1001 Tapered Pedestal.
  2. MOD-211 iPad Counter Insert: I know. I’m repeating myself. But it’s a great idea and it’s only $295.
  3. VK-1850, VK-1851, VK-1852 SEGUE Table Top Displays
  4. MOD-1285 and MOD-1283 Lightboxes with Rotating Header
  5. VK-5081, VK-5082, and VK-5083 SEGUE Islands
  6. SEGUE Sunrise DS (ex. VK-2314 and VK-1910):  These are the two-sided versions of the popular SEGUE Sunrise, an affordable, no-tools assembly SEG portable display.

Some Changes to Exhibit Design Search You May Have Missed (in Your Haste to Make a Living and Have a Life)

  1. Audio Clips: Over the past three months we’ve added 30-40 second audio clips to many kits in EDS. These clips give a brief description of the features and benefits of the products, such as the Quadro S Pop Up, Xpressions, Visionary Designs, or Design Monday.
  2. eSmart Galleries: We recently changed the name of these galleries from Eco-Smart to eSmart. Not a big change, but one that was intended to send a subtle message. The eSmart Galleries are not only eco-friendly designs, but also distinctive and affordable designs whether your client is interested in a green display or not. We encourage you to include the eSmart galleries in your search whenever you’re looking for a 10 x 10, 10 x 20, or island. Go for the design . . . get Green as a bonus.
  3. Brumark and Display Supply and Lighting: These are not new, but way down at the bottom of EDS, there are four galleries for Flooring, Exhibit Supplies, and Lighting. These are the Brumark and Display Supply and Lighting Galleries. If you use these galleries, please let them know. If you would like to see changes or additions to these galleries, please let them know. They are important strategic partners of Classic Exhibits and of Exhibit Design Search.

Anywho . . . we are looking forward to seeing you at EXHIBITOR. Please stop by the booth and join us at the Reception. If you would like to meet with Kevin, Reid, Jim Shelman, or me during or after show hours, please let us know. We are filling in our appointment slots PDQ.

See you later alligator! (I am so old).

–Mel White
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
mel@classicexhibits.com

*********************************

Based in Portland, Oregon, Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, and custom-hybrid exhibit solutions. Classic Exhibits products are represented by an extensive distributor network in North America and in select International markets. For more information, contact us at 866-652-2100 or www.classicexhibits.com.

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Bob’s Sage Advice: Trade Shows Work

January 26th, 2012 Mel White COMMENTS

Bob Moore, Bob's Red Mill

Bob’s Red Mill Natural Products Article

If you’ve ever visited us in Portland, you know that we always treat you to lunch at Bob’ Red Mill. Bob’s Red Mill packages whole grain products, such as oatmeal, beans, bread mixes, etc., for supermarkets in North America and around the world. You may not recognize the name, but the next time you visit your local supermarket, head to the “healthy foods” section and you’ll see Bob’s Red Mill products in clear cellophane bags. They also happen to have a restaurant and company store on International Way.

We do not work with Bob’s Red Mill directly, nor would we, even though they’re just 100 yards down the road from our facility. They work with a Classic Exhibits trade show distributor based in Salem, OR.

Recently, there was a short article in Oregon Business where Bob Moore, the founder of the company, shared his advice about staying independent. The article is insightful, and you’ll love his quote about trade shows at the bottom.

“You can’t grow outside your territory unless you go to trade shows.” Sweet.

Enjoy.

–Mel White
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
mel@classicexhibits.com

*********************************

Based in Portland, Oregon, Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, and custom-hybrid exhibit solutions. Classic Exhibits products are represented by an extensive distributor network in North America and in select International markets. For more information, contact us at 866-652-2100 or www.classicexhibits.com.

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Meet Katina Rigall, Designer: Word on the Street — Jan. 16th thru Jan. 20th

January 22nd, 2012 Mel White 2 COMMENTS

Katina Rigall

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Our Newest Design Addition — Katina Rigall

We are excited to welcome Katina Rigall to Classic Exhibits. Katina has an extensive custom design background, along with a solid knowledge of portable, modular, and hybrid displays. She is going through our training program this week, otherwise known as “15 Years of Facts Crammed into 7 Brutal Days.”  Rather than give you a high-highfalutin, PR-spin of Katina, we thought we’d let her introduce herself.

Katina Rigall, Designer

“I was born and raised in Portland, OR and studied Interior Design and Art History at Oregon State University as an undergraduate. The summer before I graduated and my last semester of college, I worked as a designer for cruise ship interiors. Imagine the themed spaces from the kid’s play areas to the night clubs. This gave me my first taste of experience design and I loved it!”

“After graduating, I worked with an established interior remodeling firm for over three years, where I learned how to plan and execute detailed kitchen designs while collaborating with experts from various trades. As much as I enjoyed these projects, I felt I needed to expand my design skills to work in a more creative niche. I returned to school at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC to get my Master’s degree in Exhibition Design.”

“I love art and its ability to impact the viewer, and I consider my medium to be large 3-dimensional experiences that utilize colors, shapes, lighting, and graphics to encompass viewers at an event. My projects at their best are large scale sculptures in addition to thoroughly functional branded experiences that inform people about products and services in a memorable way. After working in Exhibit Design for a custom house on the East Coast for over four years, I am very happy to be returning to my hometown to work with Classic Exhibits where I can continue to do what I love.”

We are very excited to have Katina back in the Pacific Northwest where she was born and raised. We believe she will greatly impact and expand the Classic Exhibits Design Department. She brings great talent and personality to the job, and her custom experience is sure to bring new ideas and designs to the Classic Line of products.

As a member of the EDPA Scholarship Committee, I often meet students from FIT and see their great work while attending the program. It is especially exciting  that Katina is a graduate of the FIT program.

Please take a moment to welcome Katina to the Classic Family as you work with her on new design projects.

Have a great week!

–Kevin Carty

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

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Posted in Kevin Carty, Word on the Street | 2 Comments »

100 Global Trends in 2012

January 12th, 2012 Mel White COMMENTS

100 Things to Watch in 2012

JTW Intelligence released their seventh annual year-end forecast of key trends that will shape or significantly impact consumer behavior in the near future. Continued economic uncertainty is at the center of or driving several of these trends; another theme is the rising idea of shared responsibility. As always, new technology is a key factor as well.

To view the full slideshow, click on the image.

2012 Trends

For the shorter executive summary, click here.

–Mel White
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
mel@classicexhibits.com

*********************************

Based in Portland, Oregon, Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, and custom-hybrid exhibit solutions. Classic Exhibits products are represented by an extensive distributor network in North America and in select International markets. For more information, contact us at 866-652-2100 or www.classicexhibits.com.

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Posted in Classic Exhibit Systems, Mel White | No Comments »

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