Trade Show TalesBlog

Author Archive

Social Media 102 — Sponsored by Classic Exhibits

August 2nd, 2010 COMMENTS
Tim Patterson, Social Media 102

Tim Patterson, Social Media 102

Social Media 102 – Sponsored by Classic Exhibits

How can you use Social Media to drive traffic to your tradeshow booth? Did you know that location-based marketing is perfect for tradeshows, conventions, and events?

Facebook . . . Twitter . . . YouTube . . . LinkedIn — All are great platforms to engage your visitors, draw people to your booth, and get them to WANT to see what you’re offering.

Learn how in a one-hour webinar Social Media Tradeshow Marketing with Tim Patterson, VP of Sales and Marketing for Interpretive Exhibits in Salem, Oregon (a Classic Distributor).

Whether you’re brand new to Social Media or have been tweeting and blogging for years, you’ll come away with useful information, easy-to-execute techniques, and several case studies of how Social Media has improved attendance and sales at events and tradeshows.

Join Tim for this one-hour webinar on Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 10:00 am PT

To learn more and register:  http://budurl.com/socmed102. Seating is very limited!

Social Media Trade Show Marketing

Classic Exhibits Webinar Training

Shooting from the Hip — 10.10 (Heading into Fall)

July 28th, 2010 COMMENTS
Shooting from the Hip (trade show tips)

Shooting from the Hip by Reid Sherwood

Well, time is flying. We’re only a few days from August and that means the trade show season will soon be upon us. No more complaining about things being slow. I have had some pretty intense conversations recently with folks saying — “Look out for the 4th quarter, cuz it is going to be a good one!”

At Classic Exhibits and ClassicMODUL, we are seeing an increase in design requests and larger budgets (not like the days of yesteryear but better than what we have seen for two years), and people with seemingly real needs. Many of you have heard the same things from other manufacturers or friends in the industry, so let’s hope it is true.

I want to congratulate a couple of good friends. Dave Brown at Optima Graphics and Alex Hill at Visual Merchandising for having the intestinal fortitude and lack of common sense to swim the English Channel this past week. Nobody is sure why you did it, but we all raised a toast when the email came through that said you finished and set a new age-group record. And a special congratulations to Ray Montague, of Avalon/ArtGuild for having the foresight to tell them “No, I am not swimming the English Channel with you.”

Mel White recently did a webinar on Exhibit Design Search:  Tips, Tricks, and Techniques that was hugely successful. It will be offered again on August 10 and 11. Be sure to register now.

Good luck as the summer progresses.

Until the next time,

–Reid Sherwood
reid@classicmodul.com

Exhibit Design Search — Tips, Tricks, and Techniques

July 27th, 2010 2 COMMENTS

Exhibit Design Search (EDS):  Tips, Tricks, and Techniques Webinar

Exhibit Design Search Training Webinar

Exhibit Design Search Webinar

Discover How to:

  • Search for Displays Faster
  • Respond to Design Requests Quicker
  • Qualify Budgets
  • Send Renderings, Photos, and Animations
  • Create Design Galleries
  • Find Specials, Quick Ship Displays, and Articles
  • See the Peek-a-Booth Webcams in Action
  • Describe the Differences between Sacagawea, Magellan, Perfect 10, and Visionary Designs

What’s New in EDS and What’s Coming!

Classic Distributors — Join us for a fast-paced Webinar with Mel White, VP of Marketing and Business Development. In this 45 minute session, you will learn how to maximize your results in Exhibit Design Search and increase your exhibit sales opportunities.

Sign Up for One of Two Sessions

  1. Tuesday, August 10 @ 8 am PST (11 am EST)
  2. Wednesday, August 11 @ 10:30 PST (1:30 pm EST)

To sign up, click on the links above and reserve your seat by Friday, August 6. Session enrollment is limited.

Contact Mel White if you have questions (mel@classicexhibits.com).

Word on the Street — July 19th thru July 23rd

July 25th, 2010 COMMENTS
Why we participate in the TS2 Show

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Calgon Take Me Away!

This past week I took a little vacation time.  I worked on Monday and Tuesday and then took off for a few days of camping. Living in the Great Pacific Northwest offers us a lot of options as it relates to locations. You can do anything from true “survivalist” camping in the middle of nowhere . . . where you hike into a remote location that may have never been camped before . . . to camping in a “campground” that has showers and electricity. Something I refer to as “car camping.”

Since this was a family trip for my niece’s birthday, we opted for the “car camping”  option. Of course,  four 3-year olds and a 6-year old in tow had a lot to do with that decision. 🙂

Now, what in the world was I thinking of this being a “vacation”?! Anyone else who has attempted something similar can attest to what I mean.

Please understand. I had a great time! The weather was beautiful, we were right along a river in the middle of the forest, and we cooked great meals three times a day. But, as a parent, this is not exactly relaxing. From the time you wake up until the time the kids go down, you are running in 19 different directions always wondering where the kids are or where the kids are going as I’m sure many of you can relate!

At the end of the day, they all had fun and so did I to be honest (as tiring as it might have been). And I do appreciate that my kids in particular had a good time,this being their first camping excursion. They seemed to really appreciate their surroundings while out in the wilderness.

I look forward to getting back into the swing of things on Monday morning, and I look forward to a busy and profitable late summer and fall for us all.

Hope you had a great and restful weekend.

Be well!

–Kevin Carty

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

Sacagawea vs. Magellan vs. Perfect 10 vs. Visionary Designs

July 22nd, 2010 3 COMMENTS

Comparing Four Hybrid Display Systems from Classic Exhibits

Are you comfortable describing the differences between the Sacagawea, Magellan, Perfect 10, and Visionary Designs Hybrid Systems with your customers? If not, here’s an excellent summary of each product line.

It’s actually fairly straight-forward (and it makes a lot of sense). Please understand (which translates to me CMA) that these distinctions are broad-based, and there are always exceptions.

In order, from the lowest to the highest starting prices . . . .

Sacagawea VK-1222

Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Displays

Starting Prices:  $3100 (10×10) | $6225 (10×20)

Sacagawea is the entry level portable hybrid line for Classic Exhibits. Introduced about a year ago, it is our most successful product launch ever. The reasons are obvious:  three attractive design series, compact and versatile displays, and terrific price points.

  • Sizes: Table Tops, 10 x 10, 10 x 20, Pedestals, and Workstations.
  • Kits: 65 standard kits.
  • Straight Extrusions:  Mostly straight extrusions with MODUL S40 uprights and Z45 horizontals.
  • Graphics:  Primarily one large tension fabric graphic @ 7.5 ft x 6.75 ft with a smaller tension fabric graphic and/or direct print graphics. Velcro tension fabric.
  • Assembly:  MOSTLY attached knobs with some hex key connections. Individual numbered parts with setup instructions.
  • Colors:  (9) Sintra/Plex Wing colors. (1) Standard extrusion color:  Silver (clear satin anodized).
  • Packaging:  LT-550 Portable roto-molded case(s) with die-cut foam inserts.

Bottom Line:  Least expensive, mostly straight extrusions, primarily knob assembly, medium-large graphics. Ideal for anyone considering a pop up display.

Magellan MOR VK-1077

Magellan Portable Hybrid Displays

Starting Prices:  $4500 (10×10) | $8745 (10×20)

Magellan Hybrid designs vary from straight-forward to complex. Anyone who loves curves, loves Magellan because the kits are all about curved metal and large tension fabric graphics. The most popular have been the Miracle and MOR, which not surprisingly are also the most affordable.

  • Sizes: 10 x 10, 10 x 20, Pedestals, and Workstations.
  • Kits: 62 standard kits.
  • Curved and Straight Extrusions:  Curved and straight extrusions using MODUL Z45 and S40 for horizontals and verticals.
  • Graphics:  One, two, or multiple large tension fabric graphics. Example: 7.4 ft x 7.8 ft and 2 ft x 7.8 ft (Magellan Miracle) with possible direct print graphics. Velcro tension fabric.
  • Assembly:  MOSTLY attached knobs with some hex key connections. Individual numbered parts with setup instructions.
  • Colors:  (9) Sintra/Plex wing colors. (1) Standard extrusion color:  Silver (clear satin anodized).
  • Packaging:  LT-550 Portable roto-molded case(s) with die-cut foam inserts.

Bottom Line:  Inexpensive, mostly curved extrusions, primarily knob assembly, large graphics. Ideal for anyone upgrading from a basic display system such as banner stands, pop ups, or curved pillowcase graphics.

Perfect 10 VK-1507

Perfect 10 Portable Hybrid Displays

Starting Prices:  $5200 (10×10) | $12,840 (10×20)

There is nothing on the market remotely close to the Perfect 10 and Perfect 20. It defines sexy for a portable hybrid display. It assembles without tools and comes in a mind-boggling assortment of color and shape options, all included in the standard price. The P10 is protected by multiple design and utility patents.

  • Sizes: Table Tops, 10 x 10, 10 x 20, Banner Stands, Pedestals, and Workstations.
  • Kits: 38 standard kits.
  • Curved Extrusions:  Mostly curved extrusions using MODUL S40 for verticals and custom Z33 horizontals.
  • Graphics:  One or two large tension fabric graphics. Example: 8 ft x 5.8 ft and 8 ft x 2 ft (VK-1507) with possible direct print graphics. Velcro tension fabric.
  • Assembly:  ALL attached knob assembly and hinged components. Individual numbered parts with setup instructions.
  • Colors:  (9) Sintra/Plex wing colors. (7) Powder-coat extrusion colors.
  • Packaging:  LT-550 Portable roto-molded case(s) with die-cut foam inserts.

Bottom Line:  Competitively priced, mostly curved extrusions, all knob assembly, large graphics, more options. The Perfect 10 System epitomizes high design and offers the most standard options of any portable hybrid in the world.

Visionary Designs VK-1900 SEGUE

Visionary Designs Hybrid Exhibits

Starting Prices:  $7788 (10×10) | $14,826 (10×20)

With Visionary Designs, anything is possible – portable, modular, custom, and custom-hybrid designs. As the saying goes, “form follows function,” and the amorphous design capabilities of Visionary Designs allows you to create simple, complex, large, or small displays.

  • Sizes: Table Tops, Inlines, Islands, Counters, Pedestals, and Workstations
  • Kits: Over 300 standard kits
  • Extrusions:  Hundreds: Depends on the design and the function.
  • Graphics:  From one to multiple tension fabric and direct print graphics.  Velcro and silicone edge tension fabric.
  • Assembly:  Hex key assembly. Individual numbered parts with setup instructions.
  • Colors:  Standard Sintra/Plex colors. (1) Standard extrusion color:  Silver (clear satin anodized). Powder coat and anodizing options available for an addition cost.
  • Packaging:  Roto-molded cases, tubs, and jigged wood crates.

Bottom Line:  Extensive extrusion options, hex key assembly, small, medium, and large graphics (including SEG), unlimited designs, inlines, islands, and table tops. Visionary Designs includes the new SEGUE line of Silicone Edge Graphic displays, which maximizes graphics and minimizes visible extrusion.

Let me know if you have any questions or would like an in depth review of these systems. I would ask that you forward this link to anyone in your organization who would benefit from this comparison.

Also, please let me know if you would like to participate in the webinar Exhibit Design Search:  Tips, Tricks, and Techniques in September, along with a webinar about the basics of blogging.

–Mel White

http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
mel@classicexhibits.com
Classic Exhibits Network (LinkedIn)