It’s Personal. Our New Custom Exhibit Gallery
November 3rd, 2015
COMMENTS
We shouldn’t take it personally… but we do. When a distributor says, “Oh, I didn’t know you design and build custom exhibits,” our feelings are hurt. Just a little. We understand how you might be confused. Exhibit Design Search has a smattering of Custom Exhibits, which are mixed-in with the other hybrids and modular displays, but we don’t feature them. Until now.
We created the Custom Exhibit Gallery on the Classic website, not in EDS. It’s very similar to our Retail Gallery and Graphic Inspiration Galleries. All are meant to show our full design and production capabilities.
Who orders custom exhibits? You might be surprised. Custom Houses for one. Pretty often, actually. Portable Modular Distributors. Their clients need custom exhibits too. Even an occasional Online Only Distributor. They get calls and turn to us for a solution — or two or three.
So, now you know. Classic Exhibits builds custom displays (and pretty darn well we might add). Click the link or image blow to see examples.
–Mel White
mel@classicexhibits.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
https://twitter.com/melmwhite
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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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How a Distributor Used Classic’s Promotional Materials
October 27th, 2015
COMMENTS
Effective Email Marketing
We love it when distributors re-purpose Classic’s marketing materials. This week, Atlantic Exhibits sent an email broadcast promoting Perfect 10 Portable Hybrid Displays. Not only is the P10 on sale thorough 11/27, but it also carries the Exclusive 100-Day Return Guarantee. It’s the PERFECT one-two promotional punch as we head into the holiday season and 2016 shows.
Let us know how we can assist your efforts and grow your sales of Classic products. Well done Atlantic! Very well done indeed.
–Mel White
mel@classicexhibits.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
https://twitter.com/melmwhite
**********************************************
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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11 Printable Product Sheets from Classic Exhibits
October 22nd, 2015
1 COMMENT
Once or twice a week, we get a request for a printable handout for Sacagawea, Perfect, 10, Visionary Designs, etc. Most of the time, the distributor wants a simple one-page product summary to leave with their customer or as an email attachment. Rarely does the distributor ask for a large, multi-page brochure.
So… We’ve created 11 printable one-page product sheets. They are in the Exhibit Design Search galleries where they can be viewed or downloaded. In addition, they are available in the Distributor Section of the Classic website, along with other Classic literature. Not every gallery has a product sheet. We only created them where we thought it made sense (and where we’ve had requests). You can see and download them all by clicking on the images.
Oh yes, the 100-Day Guarantee Sheets are there too. Lots and lots of requests for these since introducing the new program.
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- Table Top Summary
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- SEGUE Hybrid Summary
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- Rental Solutions Summary
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- Euro LT Summary
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- iPad and Surface Stands Summary
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- Magellan Summary
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- Perfect 10/20 Summary
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- Quadro S Summary
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- Quadro FGS Summary
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- Sacagawea Summary
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- Visionary Designs Summary
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- Perfect 10/20 100 Day
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- Quadro FGS 100 Day
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- Quadro S 100 Day
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- Sacagawea 100 Day
Contact me for the username and password of the Classic Distributor Section.
–Mel White
mel@classicexhibits.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
https://twitter.com/melmwhite
**********************************************
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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Is Your Display Supplier an Importer, an Assembler, or a Builder?
October 17th, 2015
2 COMMENTS
An Alternate Approach
Recently, a distributor asked me about the capabilities of X, a trade show display supplier in our industry. We talked about X, which led to a conversation about A, D, and G. I realized after our call that the industry has shifted. The categories or labels we’ve always used to define exhibit suppliers/builders are no longer accurate.
Historically, we’ve talked about portable/modular, systems, or custom builders/suppliers, but those designations seem insufficient. For example, while Classic Exhibits has pre-configured and customized kits, we also build pure custom, corporate environments, and retail displays. Not to mention rental options. And we’re not alone.
So allow me to propose an alternative. It’s not intended to be definitive. Just one attempt to move the conversation along. What have I missed? [The stars do not reflect quality. That’s a whole different story. Rather an indication of capability and selection.]
Importers
Imports pre-configured portable displays. Little to no ability to customize displays, packaging, or instructions. Limited selection. Sells direct and through distributors.
- Graphics: ★ to ★★
- Hardware: ★ to ★★
- Creative Design: ★
- Problem Solving: ★★
- Production Flexibility: ★
- Rental Offerings: None
Assemblers
Works mostly with pre-cut metal and pre-installed locks on preconfigured kits. Basic machine shop tools. No CNC equipment. Minor kit customization if no engineering, bending, or CAD work is required. Some creative or problem-solving talent. Sells direct, mostly within region, or through a limited number of online distributors.
- Graphics: ★ to ★★
- Hardware: ★ to ★★
- Creative Design: ★★
- Problem Solving: ★★
- Production Flexibility: ★★
- Rental Offerings: None to ★
Systemizers
Works within the framework of a display system. The system may be innovative, but the solution-based architecture has limitations. Because it lacks open-ended capability, the hardware, not the design dictates the solution. Has the same capabilities as assemblers (see above) with more external suppliers. Often resistant to solutions that require non-system solutions. Modest creative or problem-solving talent. Primarily sells through distributors, although direct sales are an option.
- Graphics: ★★
- Hardware: ★★ to ★★★
- Creative Design: ★★
- Problem Solving: ★★★
- Production Flexibility: ★★ to ★★★
- Rental Offerings: ★★ to ★★★
Customizers
Historically, wood fabrication talent. Ability to work with engineered metal. Excellent creative and problem-solving talent depending on the size of the operation, including technology services. May or may not have CNC equipment. Outstanding build capability on isolated jobs, but the facility and cost-structure are not designed for repeatable and/or customizable inlines and islands. Very good packaging and CAD capabilities on specific jobs. Show and storage services may dictate build designs. Sells direct. May work with Importers, Assemblers, Systemizers, and Manufacturers/Builders on projects that don’t fit their capabilities or cost structure.
- Graphics: ★★★★
- Hardware: ★★★ to ★★★★
- Creative Design: ★★★★★
- Problem Solving: ★★★★
- Production Flexibility: ★★★
- Rental Offerings: ★★★
Renters
A small but a growing category. Renters evolved from a another category such as Customizers. While they may build custom displays and/or sell kits from Assemblers, Systemizers, or Manufacturers/builders, they concentrate on rental and custom rental solutions for their clients. Strong creative skills within self-imposed and pre-defined limitations. Those limitations force them to be nimble and cost-effective in order to be competitive. Typically a limited number of solutions, which can be modify depending on the customer and the circumstances. Storage and show services vary widely.
- Graphics: ★★★
- Hardware: ★★ to ★★★
- Creative Design: ★★★
- Problem Solving: ★★★
- Production Flexibility: ★★ to ★★★
- Rental Offerings: ★★★ to ★★★★
Manufacturers/Builders
Solid wood fabrication and engineered metal capabilities, including CNC equipment. Very good creative and problem-solving talent from tabletops to islands. Able to produce standard kits, customized kits, or fully custom displays within a predefined build schedule. Excellent packaging, CAD, and setup capabilities on well-defined systems and most customization projects. Not as concerned with show services or storage. Primarily works through distributors. May sell direct within region, depending on the business model.
- Graphics: ★★ to ★★★★
- Hardware: ★★★★
- Creative Design: ★★★★
- Problem Solving: ★★★★
- Production Flexibility: ★★★★ to ★★★★★
- Rental Offerings: ★★ to ★★★★
–Mel White
mel@classicexhibits.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
https://twitter.com/melmwhite
**********************************************
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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