A few weeks ago, Classic Exhibits hosted three educational webinars about silicone edge graphics (SEG), hybrid exhibits, and trade show island designs. The response was extremely positive. For those who missed these webinars, here’s your chance to experience them via the magic of YouTube and GoToWebinar. We hope you enjoy, and we welcome your comments.
Web Development Department
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett, an experienced web developer, joins the Classic Exhibits Inc. to launch the Web Development Department. The Web Development Department was formed to assist Classic Distributors with the creation, revision, and maintenance of their websites.
As a designer, Tony has created custom and open source based content management systems dependent on project needs. He has assisted clients with search engine optimization strategies to drive more web traffic to their sites, performed necessary hardware and software maintenance on local web servers, and worked to develop web solutions which best fit the customer’s needs.
Over the past six years, Tony has been instrumental in the creation of Exhibit Design Search, the industry’s largest and most sophisticated exhibit search tool. In addition, he’s worked on over a hundred exhibit-focused websites to create their branded Exhibit Design Search, design new sites, or modify their existing websites. Tony has developed sites for clients in a variety of other industries including dental, boating, fine arts, tattoo, real-estate, automotive, religious non-profit, and health and fitness.
“There’s probably no other web developer who has reviewed and modified more display-related websites than Tony,” says Mel White, VP of Marketing and Business Development.” He’s seen it all, from five page websites to sites with hundreds of pages. His knowledge of web development, multiple programming platforms, and the exhibit industry makes him a valuable and indispensable resource for our distributors. Effective websites are no longer a luxury, but a necessity for every portable, modular, or customer distributor. We are excited to offer this service to our distributor network. ”
According to Tony, “I’m an experienced Web Developer with a passion for the ever changing technology landscape. I’ve been doing web development full-time since 2006. I’m proficient with Photoshop, CSS, HTML, PHP, jQuery, Drupal, etc. As a web developer, I have a good eye for design. Many of you already know me, but to those who don’t, I welcome the chance to show you what Classic can do.”
Contact Tony at tony@classicexhibits.com to learn more about the services available from Classic’s Web Development Department.
— 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.
Classic Exhibits Adds New Regional Manager, Jen LaBruzza
Jen LaBruzza
Classic Exhibits Inc. welcomes Jen LaBruzza to Classic Exhibits Inc. as the Western Regional Manager. Jen will be responsible for meeting and consulting with distributors throughout the West for Classic Exhibits, ClassicMODUL Aluminum Extrusions, and Classic Rentals. Jen LaBruzza has 20 years of experience in and around the trade show industry. Her varied career includes training, sales, project management, and operations.
Jen has developed a professional style based on excellent inter-personal communications and a gift for taking complex information and making it clear. She has participated in a variety of business cultures, including software development, travel planning, and small business management. In addition, Jen has worked as a certified elementary school teacher in Clark County (NV) public schools . . . Ideal training for trade shows.
Most recently, Jen owned a portable, modular, and hybrid display distributorship where she provided her clients with exhibit marketing services, display design, rentals, and show site supervision.
According to Mel White, VP of Marketing and Business Development at Classic Exhibits, “Jen is personable, intelligent, and resourceful. We are very fortunate that Jen has decided to bring her talents to Classic Exhibits. Our distributors will quickly appreciate her knowledge, her enthusiasm, and her commitment to improving their business. She understands the exhibit business from all perspectives: as a customer, a distributor, and a manufacturer (and as someone who has assisted countless customers on the show floor). ”
“It’s very exciting to jump into this role and work with ClassicMODUL, Classic Exhibits and their amazing distributor network,” says Jen LaBruzza. “Classic’s focus on design, customer service, and ‘can do’ manufacturing provides a positive customer experience every time and makes them a trend-setter in our industry. I’m thrilled to be a part of all that is happening, and I look forward to making a difference in my region.”
Jen will work directly with distributors on how Classic Exhibits can serve their customers where price, creativity, and responsiveness are more important than ever. In addition, Jen will be tasked with developing alternative channels for ClassicMODUL engineered extrusions in architecture, retail, museums, signage, and interior design.
Jen has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Nevada – Las Vegas. She is conveniently based in Las Vegas.
*******************
Classic Distributors and Partners:
I have always hoped that Jen would join the Classic Exhibits team at some point. My grandma always said, “Persistence pays off Kevin,” and I have certainly been all that. She is a knowledgeable professional who brings her considerable talents to the Classic Network. She is also a trusted friend and shares our “Customers Come First” philosophy. You’ll be charmed and impressed . . . Even you crusty old coots who claim to have invented trade shows. 😉
Please take a moment to welcome Jen to the Classic Family. She can be reached at jen@classicexhibits.com.
–Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a
Every year, I embark on a 100 mile bike ride to raise money through the Livestrong Foundation for Cancer Research.
Well, this year I recruited some friends and together we have decided to help one of our own: Mike Swartout, Director of Design at Classic Exhibits Inc. Most know Mike, are friends with Mike, and some even call him family.
This September, employees from Classic Exhibits, Optima Graphics, Creative Dimensions, and Greg Garrett Designs will go the distance for one of their own — literally.
Dave Brown, Kevin Carty, Mel White, Tony Ricci, Betsy Ricci, Greg Garrett, Charlie Shivel, Joel Roy, and others will bike 100 miles (The Century Ride) in Oregon’s Eschelon Gran Fondo of Hood River to raise money for Mike Swartout and his family.
According to Dave Brown, VP of Sales at Optima Graphics, “Mike has been there to help Optima and its customers many times over the years so when Kevin suggested we do this ride to raise money for Mike’s family, we immediately said yes.”
I am approaching my 12-year cancer-free anniversary next month, and in that time I have been very impressed with Mike’s selflessness, courage, and attitude since his terminal diagnosis.
Unfortunately, I have known too many people who have been affected by cancer, but none have personally moved me quite like Mike. He decided, very early on, to become a research patient after his diagnosis of Advanced Stage 4 Prostate Cancer. He was not going to sit back and just take it. He wanted to do something for others.
Since his diagnosis, Mike has opted to undergo countless experimental treatments. Treatments that are solely intended to benefit people diagnosed with this dreaded disease in the future.
Optima Graphics, Classic Exhibits, Creative Dimensions, and Greg Garrett Designs certainly have a great working partnership, but within our companies, the relationships run much deeper. We are friends. So, when thinking about participating in this event, I naturally wanted to take the challenge with my friends and Mike’s.
EDPA Foundation
Special thanks to The EDPA Foundation! Dave Walens and Jeff Provost stepped in right away and allowed us to raise money through the foundation for Mike, thus allowing any and all donations to be fully tax deductible for individuals and businesses.
Visit our team’s page to learn how to donate to Mike’s family and how to help alleviate the severe financial hardship they are experiencing. In particular, Mike does not have life insurance which is a future hardship for his lovely wife Janet.
Mike is a huge proponent of men having regular prostate exams; prevention and early detection are the keys.
The team, “Club 815, Powered by The EDPA Foundation” will ride on September 22, 2012. If you are interested in riding with us, email me and I will send you all the information (kevin@classicexhibits.com). There is a 30 mile, 80 mile, or 100 mile ride. So take the challenge . . . I dare ya! 🙂
Please consider supporting us. We would appreciate it.
Hope you all have a great weekend and be well.
–Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a
Go Forth and Be GratefulWhen it comes to management theory, there’s the Donald Trump School of Management, the School of Love, Meditation, and Crystals, and then there’s the School of What Really Happens when the Rubber Meets the Road. We try to do the right thing, and generally that means following some form of The Golden Rule. Tom Cox, a consultant who coaches CEOs on how to boost performance by building workplace trust, suggests this practical, if often overlooked, advice: gratitude.
“When you feel a sense of gratitude, your blood pressure drops and your heart lifts. Other people start being nicer to you — because you give off a better vibe.
If that’s not enough — if feeling good and getting healthier aren’t quite sufficient rewards to stir you — here’s a highly pragmatic reason: bosses (and parents and spouses) who express gratitude sincerely, frequently and effectively, are much better able to get what they want.”
To read the entire blog post on how Tom coached a manager to express his gratitude to his staff using a simple formula, CLICK HERE. And, if you plan to print it and put it on your boss’s desk, be sure to wear gloves. It’s always the fingerprints, my friend, that do you in. Who knew they could get prints from copy paper? Not me.
— 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.
