Exhibit Leader Insights, an Exhibitor Insights Report in partnership with The Exhibitor Advocate, Explori and Exhibitor Group, is a report based on a survey sent to exhibitors working currently in a range of industries with the aim of understanding:
The decision-making process for exhibitors: when planning their events program
How trade shows are perceived – and valued by exhibitors and their companies
How external and internal factors are shaping events programs, both now and in the future
According to the report, “Trade shows continue to provide value to exhibitors both as marketing and sales channels, and their worth is generally recognized by senior leadership teams – perhaps more so than before the pandemic.
However, there are some warning signs. Cost concerns cast a long shadow over the research. Exhibitors are clearly feeling squeezed by rising exhibit-related costs, and they are likely to attribute this to hikes in venue, organizer and contractor fees – rather than factors beyond the industry’s control, such as costof-living effects and broader economic forces.”
Download the Free PDF
To download the FREE Exhibit Leader Insights Report, click HERE. Below are select pages from the report.
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Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufactures portable, modular, hybrid, and custom exhibit solutions, including Symphony Portable Displays. 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.
A Trade Show Exhibitor walks into a bar and says to the bartender, “I’ve never been in a bar before, but a friend suggested I try the 20 x 20 Booth Space.”
“That’s a very popular drink,” says the bartender, “especially with my regular customers. The 20 x 20 Booth Space costs $34,000. If you are interested, I have some questions.”
“That seems very expensive,” the Exhibitor replies, “but I’m new to this so why not. What questions do you have?”
“First of all, do you want the Top Shelf liquor or the Bottom Shelf liquor for your 20 x 20 Booth Space?”
“What’s the difference?” asks the Exhibitor.
“Alcohol does the heavy-lifting or work in a drink, and the Booth Space requires several liquors. It’s not optional, but you do have choices on the quality. Top Shelf liquor has the most experience, having aged from 10-20 years. The quality is exceptional and the taste predictable. My best customers always ask for their favorite brand by name. The Bottom Shelf liquor can be cheaper, but it’s also raw, unfiltered, and unpredictable. I’ve received Bottom Shelf liquor aged less than a day, which is a little scary.”
“OK, I’ll have the Top Shelf then,” says the Exhibitor. “I don’t want surprises.”
“That will be an additional $8,000,” the bartender replies.
“What? The Booth Space drink doesn’t include the liquor?” asks the Exhibitor.
“Oh no, it’s extra. You’ll also need to decide on the mixers — like grenadine, club soda, vermouth — along with the fruit juice and slices, the straw, and an umbrella. Those prices are a la carte and will need to be purchased from the bar. You’re not allowed bring any of those in here.”
“How much are those?”
“Prices range from $1000 to over $10,000. Here’s something you’ll find amusing. Sometimes, I don’t know the prices when I’m mixing the drink, so I charge you after you’ve already finished it.”
“Anything else?” says the Exhibitor.
“You’ll be happy to know that we don’t charge for the glass.
That’s included, but we do charge for the weight of the glass, bringing you the
glass, taking it away, and then bringing it back to you.”
“Well, that shouldn’t be too expensive, right?”
“Actually” says the bartender sheepishly, “It’s not cheap, and the price can vary from week-to-week and depends on the size of the glass. Cocktail glasses are less expensive than highball glasses. Margarita glasses are the most expensive.”
“So, what are we talking about pricewise and why does the
glass fee cost so much?”
“For the 20 x 20 Booth Space drink, I would estimate $12,000 to $15,000. Maybe more. Honestly, the glass fee isn’t really about the glass or my bringing it to you. It covers the building rent, the furnishings, my salary and benefits, the carpet, the other employees you don’t see, and even our annual Holiday Party. It’s really a slush fund for everything else.”
“I had no idea a drink could be so expensive,” the Exhibitor
replies. “It seems like a complicated way to run a bar. I’d still like a drink,
however. Are there any cheaper options?
“Of course! You might be interested in the Show Rental Special. It comes in multiple sizes and flavors, and you don’t pay for all the extras we discussed before.”
“That’s great!” exclaims the Exhibitor. “Tell me more.”
“OK, do you see those tables over there? Earlier today, we had a large crowd that drank for hours. They were a rough bunch and did considerable damage. However, they left a lot of unfinished drinks. You can have any of those drinks for a reduced price but don’t mix them together. We don’t know how to charge for anything other than standard drinks.”
“Is that really an option? Who would want that?”
“Oh, you would be surprised. People come to bars for lots of reasons. Many come because they don’t know where else to go so they order whatever is the cheapest. They’re looking for the fastest, easiest, and simplest choice, even if it means drinking a Show Rental Special that someone ordered a few days ago. Honestly, we don’t even bother to clean the glasses anymore. Fortunately, we make lots of money on those customers so we’re not complaining.”
“My head is spinning,” says the Exhibitor. “Please tell me there’s a drink for someone like me who wants to come to a bar, drink from a clean glass, and pay one or two of the charges you’ve previously mentioned.”
“There is,” said the bartender. “We have customers who order the Portable/Modular. Generally, it’s a straightforward drink, although there are creative options for those with more sophisticated tastes. The other drinkers in the bar may turn up their nose when you order a Portable/Modular, but I run a no judgement bar so those customers are always welcome. I’ve learned they often order the more expensive drinks when they come back, if I treat them right.”
“I’ll have one of those,” the Exhibitor replied. “Is there
one that doesn’t require a glass and comes in its own container?”
“Yes, but now you’re killing me financially. Next, you’ll be
saying you’ll want to bring it into the bar from the outside. How’s that going
to work?”
“Hey, I appreciate all the helpful advice. I don’t fully
understand the business model, but you seem to be doing well. Does anyone ever
complain? And who do they complain to?”
“That’s the beauty of this business model,” says the
bartender. “They bitch and moan all the time, and I smile, pretend to care, and
go about my business. Fortunately, they rarely speak to the right people
because those people are somewhat invisible. They’re in charge of all this, but
they don’t ask too many questions or seek advice.”
“One last question. Does anyone ever come in the bar, chat with your customers, and never order a drink?”
“Yes, my customers are good about telling me when that happens, and I escort him or her out of the bar. They usually come back, and I must be more persuasive, if you know what I mean. Sadly, there’s always someone who wants to hang out in a bar, pester my customers about their life, and not buy anything.”
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Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufactures portable, modular, hybrid, and custom exhibit solutions, including Symphony Portable Displays. 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.
What does “trade show exhibit furniture” mean to you? This is not a trick question. If you said, all the components in a booth that you sit on, lean on, or write on, you would generally be right.
In my experience, newer exhibitors have a broader definition of trade show booth furniture or furnishings. To them, it includes counters, pedestals, and workstations, in addition to tables, chairs, plants, and ottomans. Those with a few more exhibition gray hairs tend to separate the counters, pedestals, and workstations from the more casual furniture like sofas, office chairs, bistro tables, and charging stands. Nothing wrong with that. Historically it’s been the difference between what an exhibitor buys and what an exhibitor rents. However, that’s changing… rapidly. Let’s explore the when, why, and what of trade show furniture. The who and where are probably self-explanatory. 😉
Why Invest in Exhibit Furniture?
Not long ago, exhibit furniture was mostly an island exhibit luxury. Inlines would occasionally have a basic bistro table and chairs, but it was considered an Exhibiting 101 faux pas.
Not anymore. Exhibit furniture, like tables, chairs, sofas, and even ottomans, in custom and rental exhibits are ubiquitous. Clients are encouraged to linger, charge their phones, and chat. In fact, many exhibitors are adding food and drink options to create a casual and comfortable environment. If you’ve ever attended a European trade show, you know that offering guests something to eat and drink is both polite and customary.
As you explore your exhibit furniture options, you just might be surprised by the wide range of contemporary, upscale, and affordable designs.
Renting vs. Buying Exhibition Furniture
You’ve decided to add furniture to your booth. First, you’ll need to decide whether to buy or rent furniture. Both are viable options, depending on your budget and design requirements.
Buying Exhibit Furniture
Pros:
You own it. It’s yours after the show.
Unlimited design options
If used multiple times, it’s less expensive than renting
Branding options
Cons:
Shipping cost and inconvenience
Possible damage
Possible assembly
Initial expense
Renting Exhibit Furniture
Pros:
Lower upfront cost
No shipping or storage
No damage concerns
No assembly
Design flexibility from show to show
Cons:
Fewer design options than purchasing
More expensive over multiple shows
Limited branding options
Types of Trade Show Booth Furniture
Trade show furniture delivers style and service to create a comfortable and productive space. Below are the most common types of exhibit furniture.
4. Endless Low Back S Curve Sectional: Fabulous and funky green velvet sectional with channel stitching. Complete with 6 curved chairs and two half-round ottomans.
5. Geo Cocktail and End Tables: Upscale cocktail and end tables with either chrome or back base and glass or wood countertop.
6. Cafe Table with Black Base: 36” round cafe table (29” H) is a trade show favorite as an informal meeting table. Four countertop colors: maple, white, graphite nebula, and black.
7. Christopher Chair; Distinctive conference chair with woven back and padded vinyl seat. Great for exhibits, lounges, or dining.
8. 8 ft. Powered Conference Table: AC-powered conference table with two outlets and 4 USB ports. Black laminate top and silver base.
9. Midtown Powered Counter: Metallic pewter gray curved counter with taupe-colored glass top, charging outlets, and locking storage cabinets. Countertops are available in multiple colors.
10. Banana Barstool: The iconic banana barstool is both attractive and comfortable. Available in black and white vinyl with chrome frame.
Trade Show Furnishings: Factors to Consider
Trade shows, events, and meetings are more productive by creating interactive environments with functional furniture and furnishings. Consider the following with choosing the right rental options:
Style
Rental furniture and furnishings should be functional, attractive, and match the overall design of your booth. Sometimes that’s easy. Sometimes not. For larger shows and popular trade show destinations, like Las Vegas, Orlando, and Chicago, there are multiple furniture companies with varied inventories. Work with your exhibit house when choosing your rental furniture. They have resources and contacts that may not be readily available to the typical exhibitor.
Budget
Rental furniture may seem pricey at first glance, but it’s important to remember that you’re paying for convenience, design, and cleanliness. Rental companies update their inventory often and clean them after each show.
Functionality
This may sound obvious, but rental furniture should be functional and serve a purpose. All too often, choices are made for aesthetic or design reasons (it’s the right color or it looks comfortable or it’s cheaper than other options). Don’t make that mistake. For example, if you’re going to be giving presentations, you’ll need tables and chairs that can accommodate your audience.
Delivery
This can vary so always ask for details. Some rental furniture companies have agreements with the General Service Contractor. The agreement enables them to deliver furniture and accessories directly to your booth, often without drayage or material handling fees. That’s a big deal. What may seem to be an amazing price from one rental provider may in fact be painfully expensive once the drayage fee is included.
Customer Service
No one wants headaches on the show floor. Most rental furniture companies will respond quickly to issues before and during the show. Stuff happens but how companies respond sets them apart. Be sure to ask your exhibit house about their experience with the rental furniture provider.
Standout Exhibit Furniture with Classic Exhibits
Classic Exhibits makes the selection process easy with over 200 rental furniture designs, Choose from a broad selection of casual soft seating in an array of colors, tables in multiple heights, diameters, and finishes, and chairs ranging from funky to functional.
Classic Exhibits has been designing and building solutions since 1993. We’ve been honored as an Exhibitor Magazine Find-It Top 40 Exhibit Producers and an Event Marketer Fab 50 Exhibit Builders multiple times. Along with numerous Portable Modular Awards.
With over 200 Distributor Partners throughout North America, there’s a Classic representative close by to assist with any project. Contact us today whether you need an inline rental display, a double-deck island exhibit, or a contemporary kiosk rental. At Classic, we’re not just different. We’re better.
If you’re reading this article, then you’re already an excellent candidate for a custom eco friendly exhibit. You may be personally committed to green materials, or your company may have a sustainability initiative. Either way, it’s a positive choice. In this post, we’ll explore what sustainable means when it comes to designing, building, and shipping a “green exhibit.”
Historically, trade shows have not been eco-friendly. There’s the “build and burn” philosophy in some parts of the world where exhibits are abandoned after one use. There’s also the tremendous waste created before, during, and after a show – like packaging, paper, wood, foam, and fabric signs, and flooring. Fortunately, about 15 years ago, show organizers, general contractors, and builders took a (somewhat) more enlightened approach with the goals of more eco-friendly trade shows.
You Can Make a Difference with Our Sustainable Exhibits
As an exhibitor, you can make a difference, and that difference doesn’t have to cost more or compromise your design or marketing goals. Green display materials such as Eco-board, ReCo, and FSC wood products are smart choices that are comparable to non-sustainable materials in performance, look, and feel. However, none of that matters if you can’t get the design and the features you need in your exhibit.
Thankfully, since 2007, Classic Exhibits has been designing modern ecoSmart Sustainable Displays for our clients ranging from islands to inlines and counters to charging tables. There are hundreds of options and a wide range of designs.
Why Choose Eco-Friendly Exhibits?
Contemporary, Dynamic Designs
Environmentally Friendly Materials
Fulfill Your Company’s Sustainability Initiative
It’s an easy choice. There is no downside to going with an Eco-friendly Exhibit.
How Are EcoSmart Displays Sustainable Trade Show Exhibits?
Every Eco-Systems Exhibit starts with sustainable materials. These include:
Aluminum Extrusions: 70% recycled content and aluminum is endlessly recyclable.
Forest Stewardship Council Wood Products: Certified grown and harvested sustainably.
Laminates: Greenguard Certified.
Adhesives: Water-based, low or VOC free (Volatile Organic Compounds).
Eco-Board: Biodegradable polystyrene.
ReCo Board: 100% recycled plastics.
Eco-Glass: 100% post-industrial recycled acrylic or plexi-glass.
Fabric Graphics: 100% post-consumer material including dye-sub SEG backlit graphics.
LED Lights: Lightboxes, accent lights, stem lights, and downlighting.
Shipping Cases made from recycled plastics and 100% recyclable when no longer needed. All wood crates are made using FSC Wood.
Reusable Packing Materials Made from Recycled Foam
In addition, Eco-Systems exhibits are manufactured in
Portland, OR at a sustainably managed facility.
OK, But Will My Eco Friendly Exhibit Look “Green”?
Do you mean funky, crunchy, or recycled-looking? It can but most exhibitors want a sustainable exhibit with a contemporary look and feel. In other words, no one knows it’s “green” unless you tell them. That applies to 10 ft, 20 ft., islands, and accessories.
10 Eco Friendly Exhibit Examples
Here are some examples from the 200+ kits in the ecoSmart galleries.
Eco Friendly Island Exhibits
ECO-4022: This modular design, with 10 ft. and 20 ft. inline options, has bright LED Lightboxes, reception counters with locking storage, and even a spacious interior conference room
ECO-4055: An elegant island with product shelving and showcases. This design comes with curved headers and a monitor option.
ECO-4094: This open design with seating and a reception counter is cost-effective as a purchase or a rental.
ECO-4071: The custom modular design is perfect for the exhibitor with an aggressive show schedule that includes 10 ft, 20 ft., and island booths. The ECO-4071 is easy to reconfigure and includes sustainable options like LED lights, graphics printed on recycled materials, and an aluminum structure.
SustainableInlineExhibits
ECO-1071: Modular and customizable, the ECO-1071 makes it easy to demonstrate products or services on the show floor with casual seating, counters, and rotating tablet displays.
ECO-2060: Big, bold graphics make this an enticing exhibit. There’s even a full-size closet for product samples, coats, purses, and briefcases.
ECO-2113: The perfect balance between backlit graphics and extensive shelving. The curved display counters put your products front and center on the aisle.
ECO-1038-B: Backlit and beautiful, the ECO-1038 shines with backlit graphics, locking closet storage, and a practical reception counter. Need more space? The ECO-1038-B easily reconfigures to a 10 x 20 with even more storage and backlighting.
Sustainable Exhibit Accessories
ECO-42C Reception Counter: The contemporary design, backlit graphics, and raised plex countertop will attract attention, but it’s the FSC wood, LED lights, and recycled acrylic that make it sustainable.
ECO-22C Pedestal: Attracting shelving options on the aisle are like unicorns. People talk about them but no one can find one. The ECO-22C is the ideal solution for featuring products “front and forward” at a trade show with six adjustable shelves.
How Much Customization is Available with Green Exhibits?
In short, we’ll build whatever you want. The online galleries are idea generators where you can see what’s possible, and mix and match designs to fulfill your specific marketing needs. For example, we have clients in the natural foods industry. Most want a bright and colorful exhibit with extensive shelving and storage, plus convenient counters for sampling. They also need a reconfigurable sustainable exhibit since their shows vary from local tastings when a 10 ft. booth is ideal to an industry show in Las Vegas, Anaheim, or Boston where only an island will do to handle the crowds, meetings, and press conferences.
When it comes to an eco-friendly display, there’s no reason to limit your vision. The materials are comparable in price to non-green materials and have the same construction flexibility.
Is There an Ultimate Sustainable Exhibits Option?
Looking for the ultimate sustainable exhibit for your trade show program? Don’t buy it. Rent it. Rental displays made with sustainable materials are a win-win. They’re constructed with eco-friendly materials, including aluminum, FSC wood, and recycled graphic fabric and substrates.
Custom rental exhibits are quickly becoming the greenest of green choices for exhibitors who want to make a difference. Many rental exhibits are built with the same materials previously mentioned, come in a variety of sizes and designs, and can be customized for any exhibitor — even from show to show. Rentals give exhibitors the ultimate flexibility to change their messaging without the hassle of ownership.
An eco-friendly rental from Classic Exhibits looks identical to a purchased exhibit. Just imagine your beautiful island display with large LED lightboxes, big overhead signs, conference and meeting rooms, and workstations at a price 40% less than a comparable purchased display.
Because rentals are used again and again, as long as the components are functional and attractive, they are more sustainable for the exhibitor and the builder. Plus, at Classic Exhibits, when components can no longer be used, we recycle them – wood, aluminum, and plastic. That may not always happen when an exhibitor decides to dispose of their purchased display.
To view all of the rental designs, click on Rentals or Exhibit Design Search. Or start a conversation with a Classic Exhibits professional about designing a one-of-a-kind custom rental display.
Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufactures portable, modular, hybrid, and custom exhibit solutions, including Symphony Portable Displays. 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.
EXHIBITOR Magazine recently announced the companies that qualified for the Sixth Annual Find It – Top 40, which honors the industry’s top exhibit producers. And for the sixth consecutive year, Classic Exhibits was an honoree.
Applications were subjected to an exhaustive evaluation process including more than 50 individual criteria weighted to reflect how EXHIBITOR readers and Editorial Advisory Board members value them when vetting and selecting potential partners. The evaluation process also includes a survey of current clients and a review of entrants’ past projects, selling points, and innovations, conducted by corporate exhibit managers.
Of the 39 other honorees, twenty-eight were Classic Distributor Partners. Needless to say, we are delighted to be in such good company. A special thanks to the entire Classic Exhibits Family. This is an award earned by everyone at Classic and your remarkable efforts to design and build the trade show industry’s best exhibits.
In addition. Classic Exhibits won a Portable Modular Award for Best Use of Graphics on our 2022 EXHIBITORLIVE booth. Kudos to Glenna Martin for the graphic design and Kim DiStefano for the new Classic logo. The was Glenna’s second time winning this prestigious award.
