On occasion, Trade Show Tales is literally a commercial for Classic Exhibits. 😉
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Author Archive
Classic’s EXHIBITOR2013 Commercial
April 25th, 2013
1 COMMENT
Classic Exhibits — Chosen for the FAB 50 “Masters of Exhibits”
April 23rd, 2013
4 COMMENTS
The Fab 50 — Ah Shucks, You Shouldn’t Have!
Earlier today, Event Design and Event Marketer Magazine announced the FAB 50 MASTERS OF EXHIBITS in their April 2013 issue. From the architects of the Ex Awards, Event Design Awards, and the Top 100 Event Agency List comes the first editorial ranking of the best exhibit builders. These are the Top 50 fabricators serving corporate America by Event Marketer and Event Design Magazine.
Classic Exhibits Inc. was chosen as one of North America’s top exhibit designers and builders, one of the few systems builders selected for this honor. We are delighted and honored.
Fab 50 Ranking of Exhibit Buildings in North America
According to the editors, “Over the last few years, the exhibit landscape has become cluttered, cloudy, and fragmented . . . . Fortune 1000 trade show teams, event departments and procurement officers are presented with ‘more choices than ever,’ have ‘a difficult time telling one exhibit partner from another,’ and ‘need an easier way to separate the great ones from the good ones.'”
Our sincere thanks to the editors for including us in this select group. More importantly, to the Classic Exhibit Family and to our loyal distributors, your commitment to quality, creativity, and customer service made this happen. Give yourself a pat on the back.
The April issue also includes a full page interview with Kevin Carty from Classic Exhibits. Click Here or on the image below to download the PDF.
As if you need another reason to read something else by Kevin. The guy needs his own talk show.
–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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The Fab 50 — Ah Shucks, You Shouldn’t Have!
Earlier today, Event Design and Event Marketer Magazine announced the FAB 50 MASTERS OF EXHIBITS in their April 2013 issue. From the architects of the Ex Awards, Event Design Awards, and the Top 100 Event Agency List comes the first editorial ranking of the best exhibit builders. These are the Top 50 fabricators serving corporate America by Event Marketer and Event Design Magazine.
Classic Exhibits Inc. was chosen as one of North America’s top exhibit designers and builders, one of the few systems builders selected for this honor. We are delighted and honored.
Fab 50 Ranking of Exhibit Buildings in North America
According to the editors, “Over the last few years, the exhibit landscape has become cluttered, cloudy, and fragmented . . . . Fortune 1000 trade show teams, event departments and procurement officers are presented with ‘more choices than ever,’ have ‘a difficult time telling one exhibit partner from another,’ and ‘need an easier way to separate the great ones from the good ones.'”
Our sincere thanks to the editors for including us in this select group. More importantly, to the Classic Exhibit Family and to our loyal distributors, your commitment to quality, creativity, and customer service made this happen. Give yourself a pat on the back.
The April issue also includes a full page interview with Kevin Carty from Classic Exhibits. Click Here or on the image below to download the PDF.
As if you need another reason to read something else by Kevin. The guy needs his own talk show.
–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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Giving Credit Where Credit is Due: Word on the Street — April 15th thru April 19th
April 21st, 2013
COMMENTS
Word on the Street by Kevin Carty
After nearly 19 years in this industry, I have had my fair share of gripes with how General Service Contractors and Show Management manage trade shows. And I have certainly voiced those gripes, hopefully, in a respectful manner.
Well, this past week I was in Chicago for GlobalShop 2013 at McCormick Place as both an exhibitor and an attendee. Freeman was the General Service Contractor for the event. And all I can say is — KUDOS from start to finish. It’s not like everything went without a hitch, but where there were bumps in the road, there was someone right there to help you.
I must say, honestly, I was not expecting that, even with the “kinder, gentler, exhibitor friendly” rules at McCormick. For example, we had an inline, and the new rules state that you can set your entire booth by yourself as long as you have all your own tools. I was expecting some resentful union folk roaming the floor. Not the case at all!
I don’t mean this to be sarcastic, but it was a little weird not looking over my shoulder every five seconds to see if a foreman was making my size 13 concrete shoes.
Then there was Janet Ruddy, an Exhibitor Service Clerk from Freeman’s Chicago office. I was fortunate to get her on the phone a week before the show to handle some changes. Let’s just say that there is a place for you in the Customer Service Hall of Fame Janet. Thanks!
Neilson was the producer (show management) of the show. They did an OK job as well. But, sad to say, the number of “suitcasers” allowed on the show floor day one and two was horrendous. Thankfully, the show was so freaking great that it outweighed that one very big negative.
Classic Exhibits was at GlobalShop as both an exhibitor and an attendee. As an exhibitor in a 10 x 20 space, we showcased many of the retail solutions we’ve designed and built over the past two years. That was fun, and the response was great! The ClassicMODUL aluminum profiles really shined as a retail solution! Our capabilities were highlighted in a series of backwall light boxes and an adjustable merchandising grid we’ve perfected (and sold multiple times).
I would be remiss if I did not give credit to our innovative iPad Kiosks. It’s as if they were covered in $100 bills. They drew attendee after attendee into the booth, who then stayed to hear about Classic Exhibits (which was similar to our experience at EXHIBITOR).
A special thanks to Chuck Michel and Tom Beard who joined me. Both have rich histories with the GlobalShop community and really helped me (as a rookie) understand the market and the show better. Not to mention they were great friends to hang with for three days. Thanks for everything gents.
Here are a couple of takeaways, although there were many from the week. Just like the Tradeshow World, the Retail World is alive with technology, especially interactive solutions. There is clearly a push for captivating technology in the retail experience. And large, very large, fabric graphics with engineered extrusions as the structure. That’s music to our ears and re-enforces what we have been seeing in the Classic Exhibits and ClassicMODUL divisions.
Here are some pics of the week’s events. Hope you enjoy. If you were at GlobalShop, please share your impressions in the comment section. I’d love to hear what you thought (and so would other Classic Distributors).
Hope you all have a great week ahead. Give me a call if you would like to talk more about GlobalShop.
Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a
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Word on the Street by Kevin Carty
After nearly 19 years in this industry, I have had my fair share of gripes with how General Service Contractors and Show Management manage trade shows. And I have certainly voiced those gripes, hopefully, in a respectful manner.
Well, this past week I was in Chicago for GlobalShop 2013 at McCormick Place as both an exhibitor and an attendee. Freeman was the General Service Contractor for the event. And all I can say is — KUDOS from start to finish. It’s not like everything went without a hitch, but where there were bumps in the road, there was someone right there to help you.
I must say, honestly, I was not expecting that, even with the “kinder, gentler, exhibitor friendly” rules at McCormick. For example, we had an inline, and the new rules state that you can set your entire booth by yourself as long as you have all your own tools. I was expecting some resentful union folk roaming the floor. Not the case at all!
I don’t mean this to be sarcastic, but it was a little weird not looking over my shoulder every five seconds to see if a foreman was making my size 13 concrete shoes.
Then there was Janet Ruddy, an Exhibitor Service Clerk from Freeman’s Chicago office. I was fortunate to get her on the phone a week before the show to handle some changes. Let’s just say that there is a place for you in the Customer Service Hall of Fame Janet. Thanks!
Neilson was the producer (show management) of the show. They did an OK job as well. But, sad to say, the number of “suitcasers” allowed on the show floor day one and two was horrendous. Thankfully, the show was so freaking great that it outweighed that one very big negative.
Classic Exhibits was at GlobalShop as both an exhibitor and an attendee. As an exhibitor in a 10 x 20 space, we showcased many of the retail solutions we’ve designed and built over the past two years. That was fun, and the response was great! The ClassicMODUL aluminum profiles really shined as a retail solution! Our capabilities were highlighted in a series of backwall light boxes and an adjustable merchandising grid we’ve perfected (and sold multiple times).
I would be remiss if I did not give credit to our innovative iPad Kiosks. It’s as if they were covered in $100 bills. They drew attendee after attendee into the booth, who then stayed to hear about Classic Exhibits (which was similar to our experience at EXHIBITOR).
A special thanks to Chuck Michel and Tom Beard who joined me. Both have rich histories with the GlobalShop community and really helped me (as a rookie) understand the market and the show better. Not to mention they were great friends to hang with for three days. Thanks for everything gents.
Here are a couple of takeaways, although there were many from the week. Just like the Tradeshow World, the Retail World is alive with technology, especially interactive solutions. There is clearly a push for captivating technology in the retail experience. And large, very large, fabric graphics with engineered extrusions as the structure. That’s music to our ears and re-enforces what we have been seeing in the Classic Exhibits and ClassicMODUL divisions.
Here are some pics of the week’s events. Hope you enjoy. If you were at GlobalShop, please share your impressions in the comment section. I’d love to hear what you thought (and so would other Classic Distributors).
Hope you all have a great week ahead. Give me a call if you would like to talk more about GlobalShop.
Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a
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Who’s Hot in this Beauty Pageant?
April 17th, 2013
COMMENTS
Rate the iPad Kiosks in this Pageant?
Below are many of the basic iPad Kiosk shapes (without graphic face plates, halos, and wings to influence your decision). Think of it as the swimsuit competition.
All competitors scored 10’s in the talent portion. MOD-1333 was voted Miss Congeniality.
Vote 1-5 stars for each kiosk. Refresh your browser to see the updated results.
–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.
Rate the iPad Kiosks in this Pageant?
Below are many of the basic iPad Kiosk shapes (without graphic face plates, halos, and wings to influence your decision). Think of it as the swimsuit competition.
All competitors scored 10’s in the talent portion. MOD-1333 was voted Miss Congeniality.
Vote 1-5 stars for each kiosk. Refresh your browser to see the updated results.
–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.
SWA $25 – KC $0: Word on the Street — April 8th thru April 12th
April 14th, 2013
1 COMMENT
Word on the Street by Kevin Carty
The Countdown
It’s Saturday morning at 6:00 am. Why am I up so early on the weekend? It’s a travel day tomorrow, and I want to check-in at Southwest at exactly the 24 hour pre-flight mark. My goal is an A. It’s always an A.
I love Southwest, but over the past few years I have begun to equate their 24 hour early check-in to the Ticketmaster “presale” hoax. You know what I am referring to. You’re all excited to see your favorite band or artist, AND you have the magic presale code that you’re sure only 12 other lucky people have.
You take an early lunch so you can be the first in line online. You even open multiple browser windows so that you can increase your chances of getting that front row center seat. Ding! The clock rolls to the top of the hour, and you log-in thru all 13 of the windows you have opened. You’re IN! You select two seats and hit the find “best available” button and the machine searches. Bingo, your seats are ready. Woohoo!!! Your heart is racing with excitement . . . then, wait, what, huh, zoinks!? Front row, yes, but front row of the upper balcony.
How did that happen you think? So does this mean that all those other people that are going to the normal online sale tomorrow are out of luck? I mean if you got upper balcony, and you’re in the presale, then surely there will be no seats left for those who weren’t as blessed to have the Golden Presale Code.
Not exactly! And believe me, we have all been there. You get a call from your friend Joe the next day after he went through the “normal” online sale only to discover he got a 4th row center seat on the floor. Wha Wha Wha!!!
I don’t have the answer by any means, but I do know there is a scam or two built into the system. One of them is glaringly obvious if you just do a little digging. Ticketmaster is the super-secret owner or somehow related to many of the “secondary” ticket sales companies online that sell the tickets for 2, 3, or 4 times their face value. So they block out large sections of premium seating from the “presale” for the actual online sale for these secondary companies. Look it up. It’s true
But I digress — back to Southwest and their cattle-call approach. So I logged in. I even paid the $25 early-bird fee to ensure that I would get a better boarding number (Sucker! I know!) And sure enough. I got in the first 15 seconds that check-in was available. Still a B. Which is cool. But how, oh how, does one ever get to be an A?
I know the answer. Why not just either do assigned seating or stick to a true cattle call. The blending of the two seems to muck up the waters. But wait, let me adjust this hat I am wearing so the business side is showing. Brilliant work Southwest! You just got $25 for a seat I probably would have already gotten had I just logged in at the very same time and went through the normal process.
Bags fly free. Pride takes a $25 hit.
Hope you all have a great week ahead.
Be well.
Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a
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Word on the Street by Kevin Carty
The Countdown
It’s Saturday morning at 6:00 am. Why am I up so early on the weekend? It’s a travel day tomorrow, and I want to check-in at Southwest at exactly the 24 hour pre-flight mark. My goal is an A. It’s always an A.
I love Southwest, but over the past few years I have begun to equate their 24 hour early check-in to the Ticketmaster “presale” hoax. You know what I am referring to. You’re all excited to see your favorite band or artist, AND you have the magic presale code that you’re sure only 12 other lucky people have.
You take an early lunch so you can be the first in line online. You even open multiple browser windows so that you can increase your chances of getting that front row center seat. Ding! The clock rolls to the top of the hour, and you log-in thru all 13 of the windows you have opened. You’re IN! You select two seats and hit the find “best available” button and the machine searches. Bingo, your seats are ready. Woohoo!!! Your heart is racing with excitement . . . then, wait, what, huh, zoinks!? Front row, yes, but front row of the upper balcony.
How did that happen you think? So does this mean that all those other people that are going to the normal online sale tomorrow are out of luck? I mean if you got upper balcony, and you’re in the presale, then surely there will be no seats left for those who weren’t as blessed to have the Golden Presale Code.
Not exactly! And believe me, we have all been there. You get a call from your friend Joe the next day after he went through the “normal” online sale only to discover he got a 4th row center seat on the floor. Wha Wha Wha!!!
I don’t have the answer by any means, but I do know there is a scam or two built into the system. One of them is glaringly obvious if you just do a little digging. Ticketmaster is the super-secret owner or somehow related to many of the “secondary” ticket sales companies online that sell the tickets for 2, 3, or 4 times their face value. So they block out large sections of premium seating from the “presale” for the actual online sale for these secondary companies. Look it up. It’s true
But I digress — back to Southwest and their cattle-call approach. So I logged in. I even paid the $25 early-bird fee to ensure that I would get a better boarding number (Sucker! I know!) And sure enough. I got in the first 15 seconds that check-in was available. Still a B. Which is cool. But how, oh how, does one ever get to be an A?
I know the answer. Why not just either do assigned seating or stick to a true cattle call. The blending of the two seems to muck up the waters. But wait, let me adjust this hat I am wearing so the business side is showing. Brilliant work Southwest! You just got $25 for a seat I probably would have already gotten had I just logged in at the very same time and went through the normal process.
Bags fly free. Pride takes a $25 hit.
Hope you all have a great week ahead.
Be well.
Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a
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