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7 Reasons to Attend Shared Knowledge University

May 12th, 2017 COMMENTS

Shared Knowledge University (SKU)

“Time is money” is one way to explain the concept of Opportunity Cost. It means time is a valuable resource (because our time in this world is finite), so it’s better to ensure your time is spent wisely.

Earlier today, a Classic Distributor asked me why they should attend Shared Knowledge University on June 12-13. Honestly, I had to think about it since I’ve never been asked that before. Which is a little odd admittedly. So, why should you (or any distributor) spend two days attending Classic’s comprehensive training in Portland, OR?

Reason #1: Product Line Review

Do you understand the difference between Sacagawea, Magellan, Perfect 10, Visionary Designs, and SEGUE? All are portable or custom-hybrid displays, but each line has unique design, construction, and selling features. If you have ever stumbled when explaining to a potential client why they should purchase a Sacagawea vs. a SEGUE Sunrise, then you need to attend SKU. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg with our extensive hands-on review of the Classic and Eco-Systems product lines.

Reason #2: EDS

Exhibit Design Search is an amazing tool, one you may not be using to its full potential. In fact, other than your winning personality, My Gallery in EDS may be the single-most important feature to closing more sales. With My Gallery you share designs, trade show tip articles, and photos. Plus, I bet you didn’t know you can exchange design ideas in real-time. We’ll show you how at SKU (and so much more!).

Reason #3: Rentals

30-40% of your revenue should be rentals. Seriously. No other category is growing faster than rentals, and rental sales have the potential of making you more money and establishing stronger long-term relationships with your clients.

I suspect that no other exhibit manufacturer has a larger rental inventory than Classic Rental Solutions. We’ve been in the rental game since… well the beginning. We support a 200 distributor network with rental inlines, island, charging stations, counters, double-decks, lightboxes, etc. Discover the Lucrative World of Customized Rentals at Shared Knowledge University.

Shared Knowledge University

Reason #4: Gravitee One-Step

It’s not often you get to see the future. Gravitee One-Step is the future of modular wall solutions. At SKU, you will have extensive hands-on training on Gravitee components, designs, and selling tips. New orders, where appropriate, are built with Gravitee panels, whether straight, curved, SEG fabric, or direct prints. Just this week, Adam Gilles from ELITeXPO told us:

“The client loved their new Gravitee booth! They do a high volume of shows every year and liked how easy it was to set up the Gravitee panels. They are thinking of purchasing a few more of the 10 ft sections so they will be able to spread the ease of set up to their sales representatives across the world.”

Reason #5:  Classic Distributors

SKU_photoTime after time, Classic Distributors rave about the time they spend with fellow distributors (both sober and inebriated). In our small industry, there are too few opportunities to tell stories, ask questions, and seek advice from your trade show industry colleagues. SKU always seems to bring out the best in folks who want to share what works, what doesn’t, and where they are headed. We’ve always felt that Classic Distributors are a community and previous Shared Knowledge University sessions have proven that collectively we are a smart and formidable team.

Reason #6: Food, Fun, and Festivities

We treat you like royalty while you are here. Portland is a foodie town, and we ensure you experience all its gastronomical glory. From food carts to brew pubs, you’ll see why Portland deserves its reputation as the crossroad of culinary creativity. Our food jaunts will take you into several fascinating neighborhoods including the Pearl District in DT Portland where you’ll see more “man-buns” per capita than anywhere else in North America. AND, if you are good, very good, you may even get to experience a Voodoo Doughnut.

Reason #7: Classic Employees

We may not be celebrities, but that doesn’t mean we are not stars. Meet the irrepressible Tony Bennett, the guru of web and EDS design. Shake hands with Bob Buehl, the elder statesman of project managers (he will kill me when he reads that). Share show floor stories with James Sharpe, our rental manager, and then after a few beers ask to see his calves (freakishly muscular). You’ll meet the Classic “K” Design Team: Katina, Kim, and Kevin. Talk shop with Jim Ponomarkenko, our Production and Engineering Manager. And so much more…..

We look forward to seeing you at SKU on June 12-13.

For details about attending Shared Knowledge University, contact Jen LaBruzza, Classic’s National Sales Manager (jen@classicexhibits.com).

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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.

Trade Show Material Handling Calculator and Infographic

May 9th, 2017 2 COMMENTS

Drayage or Material Handling

Drayage or Material Handling CalculatorIf you are familiar with trade shows, you are all too familiar with material handling or drayage. These two terms, which mean the same thing, often elicit a very strong emotional response from exhibitors.

So what is drayage? Drayage refers to the movement of your trade show booth items from your carrier’s delivery vehicle to your booth space. This service includes:

  • Unloading the trade show freight once it has arrived at the receiving dock,
  • Transporting the goods to the trade show booth space,
  • Removing empty shipping items (such as crates and pallets) from the trade show booth space,
  • Ttemporarily storing empty shipping items during the show,
  • Returning empty shipping items once the show is over,
  • Transferring the freight back to the loading dock, and
  • Loading the items into your carrier’s delivery vehicle.

Is it expensive? Yes. Is there a logical reason? No. So, rather than age six months each time you receive your material handling bill, it might make more sense to manage your freight to minimize your bill. Use this drayage calculator to estimate your charges. Note how overtime and special handling will significantly increase what you pay.

If you are not already suicidal about drayage, this blog post from three years ago might be the tipping point. It discusses the rising cost of material handling:  You Can’t Fix Stupid — Material Handling.

Helpful Advice:  Although shipping to the Advanced Warehouse is more expensive, it’s a better financial decision since you are less likely to pay for waiting time from your carrier, and you have greater control over scheduling the delivery of your exhibit to your booth space during regular straight-time hours.

For an overview of material handling, see this informative infographic by TS Crew, an exhibit-appointed contractor for installation and dismantle.

Drayage Infographic

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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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Gravitee One-Step Modular System (Video)

May 2nd, 2017 COMMENTS

Below is a Gravitee One-Step video where we disassembled a large conference room in less than five minutes. When we took the video, that was the only goal. Then we sent it to Glenna, our Graphic Designer, who saw what we clearly failed to see — namely a whole lotta plumber’s butt.

The display was on the way to a show, so re-shooting wasn’t an option. So, we made lemonade out of lemons. We want to thank our guys for their sense of humor, and if you haven’t seen it, we encourage you to watch this clever (and funny) video.

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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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10 Big Trade Shows in North America | May 2017

May 2nd, 2017 COMMENTS

10 Big Trade Shows in May 2017

We know you are patiently waiting for National Hug Your Cat Day on May 15. As are we. To help you pass the time, we’ve compiled a list of 10 BIG trade shows happening in May. What do cats have to do with trade shows? Thank you for asking:  What Cats Can Teach Us About Trade Shows.

Offshore Technology Conference, May 1 – 4, 2017, NRG Park, Houston, TX

http://2017.otcnet.org

The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is where energy professionals meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters. OTC is the largest event in the world for the oil and gas industry featuring more than 2,30 exhibitors, and attendees representing 100 countries.

MuseumExpo, May 7 – 10, 2017, St. Louis, MO

http://annualmeeting.aam-us.org

MuseumExpo will buzz with connections being made, ideas being exchanged and innovative products being showcased. It’s the best place to find cost- and time-saving solutions from over 250 exhibitors. Exhibit at MuseumExpo and connect with high-level decision-makers such as directors, curators, financial officers, exhibit design professionals, educators and registrars.

AISTech, May 8 – 11, 2017, Nashville, TN

http://www.aist.org/conference-expositions/aistech

Steel’s Premier Technology Event will feature technologies from all over the world that help steel producers to compete more effectively in today’s global market. AISTech is a can’t-miss event for anyone involved at any level of today’s steel marketplace, providing perspective on the technology and engineering expertise necessary to power a sustainable steel industry. Whether you present, attend or exhibit, take advantage of this opportunity to network with industry peers and discover ways to improve your productivity.

Lightfair International, May 9 – 11, 2017, Philadelphia, PA

http://www.lightfair.com/V40

The transformative power of innovation and imagination converge in a global presentation of light and technology—brilliantly revealed at LIGHTFAIR International 2017. Where new discoveries, new connectivity, new knowledge and new solutions propel lighting design quickly into the future. All at the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference. 6 pavilions will showcase product-specific manufacturers and more than 550 of the world’s leading manufacturers will showcase their latest technologies and innovations in over 200,000 square feet of exhibit space.

SAPPHIRE Now, May 16 – 18, 2017, Orlando, FL

http://events.sap.com/sapandasug/en/

Join us for the largest global business technology event, hosted by SAP and ASUG. Connect with the community that uses SAP software every day. Learn how to enable your digital business strategy and get more from your technology investment. Plus this is the one place where you can meet the entire ecosystem of SAP Partners.

NRA Show, May 20 – 23, 2017, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL

https://show.restaurant.org/Experience

What’s cooking at NRA (National Restaurant Association) Show? 45,000+ foodservice buyers with big budgets and an appetite to buy. The entire spectrum of the foodservice industry calls NRA Show their own. From commercial to non-commercial, chain to independent, QSR to fine-dining—as well as supermarkets, convenience stores, dealers and distributors—NRA Show is the only event where every segment comes with plans to learn, connect, and spend.

ICSC RECon, May 21 – 24, 2017, LVCC, Las Vegas, NV

http://www.icsc.org/recon/

RECon is the worlds, largest retail real estate convention with more than 37,000 attendees representing 58 countries who gather for power deal making, endless networking and innovative education. This makes RECon the premier gathering place for retail real estate professionals to conduct a year’s worth of business in just three days! No other convention will give exhibitors this unprecedented depth of exposure and reach.

AWEA WINDPOWER, May 22 – 25, 2017, Anaheim, CA

http://www.windpowerexpo.org

WINDPOWER is the largest North American wind energy trade show. The industry’s progress will be on full display at WINDPOWER 2017 with all the major industry segments coming together under one roof. We will unveil new enhancements to the show and feature a new focus on the brands investing in wind. There’s just no question…it’s the focal point of the U.S. wind energy industry and where purchasing decisions get made.

MUSE Conference, May 30 – June 2, 2017, Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Ctr, Dallas, TX

http://www.museweb.org/Events/2017-International-MUSE-Conference

The 2017 International MUSE (Medical Users Software Exchange) Conference is the premier source for networking education and professional development for meditech users. This conference creates a space for attendees to generate and be exposed to ideas and innovative solutions including a vibrant exhibit hall to explore new product and solution providers.

BookExpo, May 31 – June 2, 2017, Javits Center, NYC

http://www.bookexpoamerica.com

BookExpo is evolving to lead the global publishing industry to its consumer driven future and celebrate storytelling in all its forms. It’s the place where industry, authors and readers converge to define the new publishing universe. BookExpo provides a focused professional environment to discover emerging authors and the next blockbuster titles, engage with the world’s most influential publishers and learn from industry leaders and peers.

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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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What a Mel Meltdown Looks Like

April 21st, 2017 4 COMMENTS

Exhibit Design Search

Twelve years ago, we coined the phrase “Exhibit Design Search.” Back then, it was exactly that — a simple way to search through our product galleries for kit numbers and features.

At the time, it didn’t occur to me, or anyone at Classic Exhibits, to trademark or copyright Exhibit Design Search. After a few years, Exhibit Design Search and by extension EDS, became synonymous with Classic Exhibits and our distributor-branded versions. I assumed that others would make that same assumption.

As with anything successful, there are bound to be copycats. Other display vendors and distributors have attempted to replicate Exhibit Design Search. Some have done OK on a superficial level, but no one has ever duplicated the depth of EDS. Who can blame them. It would require 10s of thousands of hours and an IT and programming budget beyond the reach of nearly every company in our industry.

Islands on Exhibit Design Search
Frankly, I respect anyone who embraces the challenge. I know how difficult it has been to build and maintain EDS. Every single day there are multiple changes. Tony Bennett, our web guru, devotes a huge percent of his time each week to improving the functionality and aesthetics of Exhibit Design Search. On a bad day, it’s a never-ending monster hungry for more information. On most days, however, it’s a work of art. The website manage tools alone are breathtaking.

Am I proud of our work? Of course. Which brings me to a rub. From time to time, I stumble on a website that has appropriated “Exhibit Design Search” as a menu, page, or function. I’m not on a mission. There’s no daily Google search for EDS as a term. I just find it, and it makes me mad for 5-10 minutes. Then I suck it up and move on. That is, until it happened last week on an updated display manufacturer’s website.

It’s not that the overall search design was elegant. It was basic. Nor that it looked like EDS, although there were some minor similarities. It was the header:  Exhibit Design Search — in all caps and a similar font. It wasn’t exactly the same but it wasn’t different. It was a conscious decision, which is the crux of my annoyance. Point two, it’s not like there aren’t other variations of EDS that would have been equally descriptive as a phrase. For example:

  • Design Search
  • Exhibit Search
  • Display Search
  • Search for Displays and Exhibits
  • Display Finder
  • Rat Bastard Display Search for Designs

You get my point. What bothers me is the lack of imagination and the gall. I want to believe it wasn’t a conscious decision. That it just happened. But that would make me naive once again.

I’m not in the midst of a meltdown anymore. Writing this has been my therapy session. Perhaps I should be honored on behalf of Classic Exhibits and every Classic Exhibits Distributor with a branded EDS site. But I’m not. If you happen to chance upon this website, consider that someone made an ethical decision about something as minor as a phrase and a design, which easily could have been something else. Remember, it’s almost always the little things that reveal a company’s personality and moral character, not the big things.

I’m better now. Mostly. Unless I visit that website again.

p.s. Just in case there’s any doubt regarding our history and use of EDS, the following URLs are owned by Classic Exhibits:

–Mel White
mel@classicexhibits.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
https://twitter.com/melmwhite
https://www.facebook.com/Classic-Exhibits-Inc-113601405319757

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