Trade Show TalesBlog

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Alaskan Cruise Photos

June 24th, 2015 COMMENTS

Alaska

Some Freaky Big Crabs

Several weeks ago, Cynthia Geddis, a Project Manager in our Customer Service Department, took a seven-day Alaskan cruise from Seattle on the Princess Line with her husband. For those who have never been on an Alaskan cruise, we thought you might enjoy seeing photos.

Yes, it’s a bit like you would would expect — eagles, glaciers, fiords, icebergs, totem poles, etc — but her photos take the expected and make them unexpected. Excellent shots of Mendenhall Glacier, Ketchikan, Skagway, shy whales, and some freaky big crabs. Our thanks to Cynthia for sharing these with us.

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

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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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A BRILLIANT Video about the Trade Show Service Desk. Very Funny!

June 19th, 2015 COMMENTS

They Did It Again!

Service Desk

Another spectacular video from the folks at TS Crew. Pass it along. It should seriously go viral. That’s how good it is. Well done guys and gals. I’m already sharpening my pencil for you to win an Eddie Award for outstanding marketing at EDPA in November. “Costman” — What a hoot!!!!

I hear there’s a Pt. 2. Stay tuned.

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

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

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.

Sacagawea 100-Day Guarantee (Seriously!)

June 16th, 2015 COMMENTS

Love It or We’ll Take It Back!

CaptureEffective immediately, Sacagawea, our most popular portable hybrid display, comes with a 100-Day Guarantee. Yes, that’s our promise:  “You’ll Love It — Or We’ll Take It Back.”  Fill it with gas, rev the engine, and drive it around the block a couple of times at your next trade show. There’s never been a “Love It” return policy for a tradeshow display… until now.

Thousands of happy exhibitors have bought the Sacagawea — The World’s Best Hybrid. Every Sacagawea comes with die-cut reusable packaging, numbered components, custom instructions, easy knob-assisted assembly, and amazing HD fabric graphics. Then there are the accessories:  monitor mounts, counters, standoff graphics, canopies, hostess shelves, literature holders, and tablet enclosures. See below for details.

100DayGuaranteeEndUser_825px

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Introducing the NEW Unbranded Exhibit Design Search

June 13th, 2015 COMMENTS

EDS

Most Classic Exhibits distributors have the branded version of Exhibit Design Search (EDS), but some tap into our unbranded EDS websites. Many of you may be unfamiliar with the unbranded versions. These sites have the same features as your branded EDS site except the communication tools — Contact Us, Share, and Request a Design — point to Classic Exhibits. Why? Because they have to point somewhere.

Last week, the Unbranded Versions were updated with larger images, a revised menu, and some interesting animations. To see the two versions — one with and one without prices — click on the links below.

With Prices (green theme):  www.exhibit-design-search.com

Without Prices (red theme):  www.exhibitdesignsearch.com

EDS_2

I’ll spare you my hyper-intense “Glengarry Glen Ross” pitch on why every Classic Exhibits Distributor should have a branded EDS on their website. You just should. It will make your life (much, much) easier selling and renting portable, modular, and custom-hybrid displays, and it requires no maintenance. We do it all… for a one-time fee of $300. That’s the bargain of all bargains.

Got questions? Give Reid, Jen, or me a call. Or if you hate phones, send us an email or text. We’re communication agnostic.

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

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

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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Stuck in the 90’s? Mullets, Trapper Keepers, Pagers, and Rentals

June 4th, 2015 3 COMMENTS

BlogHeaderRentals

Recently, what I thought would be a simple, straight-forward conversation left me scratching my head. I was meeting with exhibit industry colleagues, and the topic turned to rentals. Admittedly, rentals shouldn’t be puzzling. Rentals have exploded at a rate 3 to 4 times faster than exhibit purchases since the recession. It’s a hot topic. What surprised me was the perception and the language used to define the exhibit rental landscape.

You would think the sales numbers would prompt a new approach. Yet, many industry professionals are still using assumptions that are — frankly — antiquated. What do I mean by that? Allow me to share the conversation.

“How often are customers asking you to design and quote a rental exhibit?”

Colleague 1:  “Not often. It comes up if there’s a budget challenge, and the client is looking for alternatives. I’ll mention it then, but it’s not the first place I go.”

Colleague 2: “My experience is very different. I would say 30-50% of my conversations are about rentals and there’s a reason. After we talk about what they want to achieve with their exhibit marketing program, I’ll ask them, ‘Are you considering a purchase or a rental?’”

IMG_8357Colleague 1: “Why would you head in that direction? I don’t understand that logic.”

Colleague 2:  “6-10 years ago, I wouldn’t have. The rental options were limited, but that’s changed depending on the exhibit house or manufacturer. Now most exhibitors can rent a design-centric inline or island that achieves their objectives at a cost anywhere from 30-50% less than a purchase depending on how many times they reuse the graphics. The exhibitor has to do their homework since some exhibit houses and general contractors will show rentals, but their designs are stale, can’t be customized, and are often dinged up and dirty.”

“How do you talk about costs when it comes to rentals?”

Colleague 1:  “I use the 3 to 1 formula. If the customer plans to rent more than three times, then they should purchase it.”

Colleague 2:  “I don’t mean to be rude, but we should finally bury that formula. It made sense when customers were purchasing simple portables like pop-ups or folding panel systems, or buying a fully custom exhibit. Anymore, my customers want to personalize the display and the message for each show. They are laser-focused on their current marketing goals and how to achieve it. In so many industries, the market moves too fast to repeat the same message year-after-year. Rentals, and hybrid rentals in particular, are ideal structures for this flexibility.”

Colleague 1:  “You’ve given me an idea. Let me use a car analogy. When looking for a car, your choice used to be buying a new or used one. Now, you can buy or lease a car. The dealer welcomes either one. It’s simply a matter of what makes more sense to the customer’s lifestyle and pocketbook.”

Colleague 2:  “Excellent analogy. So many exhibitors no longer want to own an exhibit. They don’t have a place to store or preview it. For others, their budgets are restricted so a well-defined monthly or annual expense makes more sense. Many, however, simply want the flexibility to change the design and graphics and not owning the display makes that easier.”

Do you have customers that rent and own an exhibit?

CIMG4726Colleague 2: I would say that’s the norm. They may own smaller properties, such as banner stands and inexpensive 10 ft. displays. They may also own a customized island. The other islands or inlines are often rentals. Or I’m seeing a blending where customers own an inline that perfectly reflects their branding, but they rent the counters, kiosks, charging stations, etc.

Colleague 1: I’ve been encountering something similar now that you mention it. I have companies coming to me for multiple counters, kiosks, or tablet stands for an event. They need stations for each product or customer/company interaction. Traditional event or show furniture doesn’t make sense.

Colleague 2:  You’re right. There are suppliers that will rent 40 pedestals or 14 large monitor stands that are modular, attractive, and cost-effective. It would be silly for the client to purchase them. They want something professional, but they don’t want to own them after the event.

As you can see by the conversation, exhibit rental properties have changed, and customers are demanding displays that fit their budget, their objectives, and their branding requirements. This requires that exhibit professionals understand how to present rentals and that exhibitors are more aware of rentals as an option.  Still have questions? Feel free to send me an email or give me a call.

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

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

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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