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Mel White Takes to the Runway: Word on the Street — October 7th thru October 11th

October 13th, 2013 Mel White 1 COMMENT
Mel White Takes to the Runway: Word on the Street -- October 7th thru October 11th

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

This week, I wanted to step aside and share with you a GREAT series of articles featuring Mel White, if for no other reason that this is the one and only time Mel will be featured on a modeling website. 🙂

Fear not, this is in no way Mel doing his best Derrick Zoolander impression, nor will you find Mel doing his Costanza pose on a chaise lounge.

  • Part 1 — Selecting a Design
  • Part 2 — How Much Does it Cost?
  • Part 3 — Current Trends
  • Part 4 — Renting vs. Purchasing

Quite to the contrary. Please enjoy the well-done article.

Have a great week ahead.

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

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Four Part Interview with Mel White, Classic Exhibits Inc.

October 8th, 2013 Mel White 2 COMMENTS

I’m on a trade show modeling website?!

Here’s a shocker friends. I’m on a modeling website . . .  and no money was exchanged. Margaret Colebeck from Vantage Advertising conducted an interview with me about displays, design trends, and the exhibit industry which they posted on their blog. I’m usually not “chatty” (quit laughing Kevin), but this time I made an exception. They had to post it in four installments.

This is the introduction at Vantage Advertising:

“Are you interested in learning more about the world of trade show exhibits and what types of designs can fit your needs? Then, you’re in luck! The following blog post is the 1st of 4 installments of our interview with trade show booth display expert, Mel White, VP of Marketing/Business Development at Classic Exhibits. The goal of this interview is to educate, inspire, and enlighten experienced trade show exhibitors, like yourself, about the world of trade show displays.”

The links below will take you to the interview. No skimming.

  • Part 1 — Selecting a Design
  • Part 2 — How Much Does It Cost
  • Part 3 — Current Trends
  • Part 4 — Renting vs. Purchasing

Vantage Advertising, also known as Models4tradeshows.com, is a nationwide event staffing company that hires trade show models, spokes models, and promotional models for events throughout the United States and parts of Canada. The company’s business model centers around that idea that by matching business marketing goals with the specific skills of spoke models, businesses will see a significant increase in the return on their trade show investments.

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

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No Mountain is Too High . . . Well Maybe One: Word on the Street — September 30th thru October 4th

October 6th, 2013 Mel White COMMENTS
o Mountain is Too High …Well Maybe One: Word on the Street -- September 30th thru October 4th

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Welcome to the month of October. Yep, that’s right. Three quarters have come and gone in 2013. It’s truly hard to believe. But we certainly ended with a bang. And I hope the same is true for you.

Classic Exhibits had its largest September EVER! So THANK YOU for your continued confidence and loyalty. We certainly appreciate it!

September came to a close with two events: Shared Knowledge University (Fall 2013 session) and The Club 815 Gran Fondo Fundraising Bike Ride.

Shared Knowledge University — Go Fighting Hybrids!

First, SKU was another screaming success. While the group was a bit smaller than some past classes, this semester’s graduating class was engaged, participatory, and of course just plain good people.

McMenamins Detention Room

On behalf of Mel, Jim, me, and the entire family here at Classic Exhibits Inc., thanks to the new graduates for giving your time and attention. We hope you left with a better understanding of the breadth of the product line, the usefulness of the tools we offer such as EDS, and of course we hope you have an even better sense for who we are as a company.

Finally, every class is distinct, and every class leaves its mark on the school and you. The Class of September 2013 was no different. You have left us with memories of KNOBS and just how critical they are to our day-to-day work and personal lives. Now graduates . . . . celebrate your degree with a muffin or two. Please let Jen LaBruzza or Reid Sherwood know if you would like to participate in the May 2014 class. Space is limited and typically fills fast for the Spring session.

Grand Fondo Hood River Bike Ride

Second, The Club Rode once again.

On Saturday September 28, 2013, the setting was once again picturesque Hood River, Oregon in the Columbia River Gorge.

The Team: Joel Roy, Cathy Roy, Grant Murrell, Greg Garrett, Mel White, Dave Brown and Kevin Carty. The Cause:  to raise funds for our colleague and friend Mike Swartout, Design Director of Classic Exhibits.

If this sounds familiar, it should. This is the second year we have ridden this same ride for this same great friend. But believe me when I say this year was much, much different in both good and bad ways.

The good part was that this year the wind was manageable, Only about 20 MPH at its worst. But the Bad part was it rained cats and dogs for the first 51 miles of the 80 mile ride. I mean it poured!

To my teammates — Thank You! You are all inspiring individuals in your own right and I appreciate you taking the time once again to go on the ride with me. I know you will agree with me when I say, the rain really was no big deal and did not bother us at all. We were motivated by the presence of Mike and Janet Swartout all along the route. Having you both there was so great and soooo appreciated! Especially at the King of the Mountain climb.

And thanks to all who donated to our ride. We truly appreciate all your support! And its not to late to send in last minute donations. Please follow this link:

https://mycharityofchoice.com/campaign/profile/336.

Back to business. I hope your fall is shaping up as well as ours. And thanks again for such a great kickoff to the fall.

Be well.

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

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What are People Buying?: Word on the Street — September 16th thru September 20th

September 22nd, 2013 Mel White COMMENTS
What are People Buying?: Word on the Street — September 16th thru September 20th

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

At least five times a day, I am asked by distributors:  “So what are you seeing in exhibit design? What are people buying?” I love when I am asked that question. It’s usually an indication that we’re all busy.

So what’s selling? . . . Portable and custom hybrids with tension fabric graphics continue to drive the ship, but the biggest sales superstar right now – – iPad Stands!

If you have been to Classic, then you know my office is above Accounting and next to Design. Everyday, I walk up and down those stairs 15-20 times. On my way to Customer Service or the Set-up area, I generally tour Production to see what is being built and shipping that day.

Without fail, I always see multiple iPad Stands, an iPad enclosure, or some creative way we are integrating an iPad or other tablet into an exhibit. From Islands to Table tops and everything in between. And while I see lots of standard “kits,” I also see lots of customized applications as well.

iPad Stands

Classic Exhibits has devoted more than two years to designing a wide assortment of tablet solutions into exhibits of all shapes and sizes. We are clearly the leader. I say that not because I’m bragging, but because we have devoted enormous R&D, Design, and Marketing effort to achieve that position. The proof is in the pudding. Not a day goes by that we are not shipping 5-25 iPad kiosks or enclosures.

Design and innovation has certainly been the driver. From the get-go, we applied for Design and Utility patents because we wanted to protect not only our intellectual property, but also ensure that Classic Distributors had a unique competitive advantage in the marketplace. Those distributors who have embraced iPad Solutions and have marketed them consistently and aggressively are reaping the rewards of their efforts.

Aside from design, the other element that stands out is the “secret sauce,” such as our “Port\Land” Swivel Stop Technology. Whether you’re using an iPad or some other tablet unit, such as a Samsung Galaxy Tab or ASUS, this feature really sets the Classic products apart from those Johnny Come Lately knockoffs. All are clunky, heavy, and less functional, even those units that have “attempted” to copy the same design features.

It’s one thing to “copy” as opposed to “innovate.” Innovation requires a well thought out process that:  a). focuses on your customers, b). understands how they will use it, c). designs it to be attractive and functional, and d). engineers it to be durable and lightweight. Copying does none of that.

iPad Kiosks

I digress. Whether you are building a dynamic island design or just a freestanding interactive kiosk, please keep our iPad Solutions in mind. They are an affordable and a practical accessory to any exhibit.

Thank you for your continued support of Classic Exhibits. We welcome your design and R&D suggestions.

Hope you have a great weekend with your families. Talk to you next week.

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

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The Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic. It Matters!

September 19th, 2013 Mel White 1 COMMENT
Shooting from the Hip (trade show tips)

Shooting from the Hip by Reid Sherwood

One benefit of blogging is having the luxury to promote something special to me and to our industry — The Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic (http://www.rsmgc.org/).

For most folks in our industry, “The Randy” is as recognizable as Cher, Madonna, or Bono. The Randy is an annual charitable golf tournament held in the Atlanta area. For those unfamiliar with Randy Smith, he was tragically taken from us several years ago. The first Classic was to raise money to help the Smith family with the financial burden they experienced. Since then, the mission has expand.

“The objective of the Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic is to help families in the exhibition industry who have suffered severe tragedies or face insurmountable medical expenses. Our commitment is to provide financial and emotional support to all past and present recipients and their families.”

We all feel invincible, and we assume that nothing bad will ever happen to us. Well, a few years ago, Mike Swartout (my friend and the Creative Director at Classic Exhibits) was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Mike is still battling that cancer today, but in 2011, he was a recipient at The Randy.

Several years ago, an Optima employee, Jim Wetherington Jr., was diagnosed with brain cancer and was taken at a very young age. The Randy was able to provide emotional and financial support to his family during that time of need.

I have said all that just to say this . . .  The Randy Smith Golf Memorial Golf Classic is the one event all year where competitors come together, lay down their swords, and work to help industry colleagues who need it most.

This year, The Randy is on October 14 at Chateau Elan, a few miles north of Atlanta. We welcome golfers, sponsors, and workers. It is an incredible event. There are at least 11 recipients, so your financial donations, hole sponsorships, or corporate sponsorships are very needed.

For more information, please visit www.rsmgc.com. We would love to see you there. Should you have any questions, please email or call me.

Reid Sherwood
reid@classicexhibits.com

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Based in Portland, Oregon, Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, and custom-hybrid exhibit solutions and engineered aluminum extrusions (ClassicMODUL). 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.

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