Trade Show TalesBlog

What the Summer Brings: Word on the Street — June 25th thru June 29th

July 1st, 2012 Mel White COMMENTS

The sales doldrums of June, July, and August always bring uncertainty and opportunity. Like you, we try to use the time wisely to finish lingering projects and untapped challenges.

So far this summer, we have been busy (enough), especially with non-trade show projects, but that hasn’t prevented us from checking off items on our “To Do List.”

New Hires and Personnel Moves

  • Tony Bennett — Web Developer (who many of you know already. See the blog post). Tony will be managing our Web Development Department, a service available to our distributors.
  • New Set-up Instructions Project Manager — We are welcoming another new staff member this Monday, Cynthia, who will  lead our Set-up PM Department. We are excited for the skill set she brings to the group.
  • An Additional Project Manager – Jeff Garrett, our Set-up PM Lead, is moving into a full-time Project Manager position. Jeff has proven to be very skilled in his current role, but clearly he has the motivation, personality and talent to become a great PM in Customer Service (in a department already filled with great project managers).

On the Road

  • Reid Sherwood — As many of you know, Reid is staring in his own version of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles this summer visiting distributors throughout the East and Midwest. According to his reports, many of you are busy and there is renewed optimism for the fall.
  • Red Diamond Congress — I will be in Chicago for an EDPA Board Meeting on the 9th of July and will also be attending the Red Diamond Congress on the 10th and the 11th. Looking forward to reporting back on both meetings. If you are attending the Red Diamond Congress, please let me know.

Internal Projects

  • Going in Style

    Graphic Dims — I am most excited about the Template/Details Project that the PM’s are working on. They are working to complete many of the Graphics Dim Sheets and Detail Sheets, making Exhibit Design Search even more comprehensive beginning this fall.

  • Remodeled Bathrooms — Admittedly you may not care about this, unless you visit us and need to use the loo, but thanks to Vitaliy and Alex, we have newly remodeled bathrooms, complete with a shower for the runners and bike riders at Classic.
  • Lighting Upgrades — We installed new high efficiency lighting complete with sensors that are triggered by our many skylights. This means that when the daylight is bright enough, the lights turn off. Other areas are now controlled by motion sensors and only come on when there is activity. Pretty cool, responsible, and saves up to 50% on our electrical bill in our shop.

Designs

  • Design Projects — Our designers have been hard at work on new Custom Hybrid Inlines. You’ve seen them featured in Design Monday recently. For much of July and August, we will shift our attention to a series of new Island Exhibits.
  • Other Projects — Retail and semi-permanent displays have been the topic of the day for the past six weeks. Some very cool stuff for some very large athletic companies. Also, two new initiatives related to semi-permanent, multi-location, and multi-function kiosks. More on those in the next few weeks as they are completed. Very cool and exciting projects.

Other

  • New Extrusion Depot — We are only about four short weeks away from the announcement! This new depot will provide not just a location that you can access full sticks of ClassicMODUL extrusion, but also one where we will do a lot of production as well. I am itching to tell you all about the location . . . soon!
  • Shared Knowledge University (SKU) in September — The dates are set! September 24-25 (Monday and Tuesday) at our facility here in Oregon. We will send out full details later this month. I am looking forward to seeing 20-30 of you. Take a look at your schedule and see if you can arrange to attend. Obviously space is limited so reserve your spot now by sending an email to me or to Mel. Classic pays for your lodging and food while you are here.
  • Training, Training, Training . . . on our bikes that is. The guys from Club 815 are hard at work preparing for our upcoming Century Challenge for Cancer in support of Mike Swartout. Please check out the details and don’t forget to send in your support! Please donate at the link above. A little means a lot.

Hope you all have a great weekend. Be well! Happy 4th of July.

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

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Did You Miss Out? SKU & You Webinars are Online

June 30th, 2012 Mel White COMMENTS

Three Great Webinars From Classic Exhibits

A few weeks ago, Classic Exhibits hosted three educational webinars about silicone edge graphics (SEG), hybrid exhibits, and trade show island designs. The response was extremely positive. For those who missed these webinars, here’s your chance to experience them via the magic of YouTube and GoToWebinar. We hope you enjoy, and we welcome your comments.

classic modul website designer tips hybrid SEG CE website CE website

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Tony Bennett Joins Classic Exhibits to Launch the Web Development Department

June 26th, 2012 Mel White COMMENTS

Web Development Department

Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett, an experienced web developer, joins the Classic Exhibits Inc. to launch the Web Development Department. The Web Development Department was formed to assist Classic Distributors with the creation, revision, and maintenance of their websites.

As a designer, Tony has created custom and open source based content management systems dependent on project needs. He has assisted clients with search engine optimization strategies to drive more web traffic to their sites, performed necessary hardware and software maintenance on local web servers, and worked to develop web solutions which best fit the customer’s needs.

Over the past six years, Tony has been instrumental in the creation of Exhibit Design Search, the industry’s largest and most sophisticated exhibit search tool. In addition, he’s worked on over a hundred exhibit-focused websites to create their branded Exhibit Design Search, design new sites, or modify their existing websites. Tony has developed sites for clients in a variety of other industries including dental, boating, fine arts, tattoo, real-estate, automotive, religious non-profit, and health and fitness.

“There’s probably no other web developer who has reviewed and modified more display-related websites than Tony,” says Mel White, VP of Marketing and Business Development.” He’s seen it all, from five page websites to sites with hundreds of pages. His knowledge of web development, multiple programming platforms, and the exhibit industry makes him a valuable and indispensable resource for our distributors. Effective websites are no longer a luxury, but a necessity for every portable, modular, or customer distributor. We are excited to offer this service to our distributor network. ”

According to Tony, “I’m an experienced Web Developer with a passion for the ever changing technology landscape. I’ve been doing web development full-time since 2006. I’m proficient with Photoshop, CSS, HTML, PHP, jQuery, Drupal, etc. As a web developer, I have a good eye for design. Many of you already know me, but to those who don’t, I welcome the chance to show you what Classic can do.”

Contact Tony at tony@classicexhibits.com to learn more about the services available from Classic’s Web Development Department.

— Mel White

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

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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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Jen LaBruzza, Western Regional Manager: Word on the Street — June 18th thru June 22nd

June 24th, 2012 Mel White COMMENTS

Classic Exhibits Adds New Regional Manager, Jen LaBruzza

Jen LaBruzza

Jen LaBruzza

Classic Exhibits Inc. welcomes Jen LaBruzza to Classic Exhibits Inc. as the Western Regional Manager. Jen will be responsible for meeting and consulting with distributors throughout the West for Classic Exhibits, ClassicMODUL Aluminum Extrusions, and Classic Rentals. Jen LaBruzza has 20 years of experience in and around the trade show industry. Her varied career includes training, sales, project management, and operations.

Jen has developed a professional style based on excellent inter-personal communications and a gift for taking complex information and making it clear. She has participated in a variety of business cultures, including software development, travel planning, and small business management. In addition, Jen has worked as a certified elementary school teacher in Clark County (NV) public schools . . . Ideal training for trade shows.

Most recently, Jen owned a portable, modular, and hybrid display distributorship where she provided her clients with exhibit marketing services, display design, rentals, and show site supervision.

According to Mel White, VP of Marketing and Business Development at Classic Exhibits, “Jen is personable, intelligent, and resourceful. We are very fortunate that Jen has decided to bring her talents to Classic Exhibits. Our distributors will quickly appreciate her knowledge, her enthusiasm, and her commitment to improving their business. She understands the exhibit business from all perspectives:  as a customer, a distributor, and a manufacturer (and as someone who has assisted countless customers on the show floor). ”

“It’s very exciting to jump into this role and work with ClassicMODUL, Classic Exhibits and their amazing distributor network,” says Jen LaBruzza. “Classic’s focus on design, customer service, and ‘can do’ manufacturing provides a positive customer experience every time and makes them a trend-setter in our industry. I’m thrilled to be a part of all that is happening, and I look forward to making a difference in my region.”

Jen will work directly with distributors on how Classic Exhibits can serve their customers where price, creativity, and responsiveness are more important than ever. In addition, Jen will be tasked with developing alternative channels for ClassicMODUL engineered extrusions in architecture, retail, museums, signage, and interior design.

Jen has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Nevada – Las Vegas. She is conveniently based in Las Vegas.

*******************

Classic Distributors and Partners:

I have always hoped that Jen would join the Classic Exhibits team at some point. My grandma always said, “Persistence pays off Kevin,” and I have certainly been all that. She is a knowledgeable professional who brings her considerable talents to the Classic Network. She is also a trusted friend and shares our “Customers Come First” philosophy. You’ll be charmed and impressed . . . Even you crusty old coots who claim to have invented trade shows. 😉

Please take a moment to welcome Jen to the Classic Family. She can be reached at jen@classicexhibits.com.

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

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Club 815 for Cancer: Word on the Street — June 11th thru June 15th

June 17th, 2012 Mel White 2 COMMENTS

Riding for One of Our Own

Every year, I embark on a 100 mile bike ride to raise money through the Livestrong Foundation for Cancer Research.

Well, this year I recruited some friends and together we have decided to help one of our own: Mike Swartout, Director of Design at Classic Exhibits Inc. Most know Mike, are friends with Mike, and some even call him family.

This September, employees from Classic Exhibits, Optima Graphics, Creative Dimensions, and Greg Garrett Designs will go the distance for one of their own — literally.

Dave Brown, Kevin Carty, Mel White, Tony Ricci, Betsy Ricci, Greg Garrett, Charlie Shivel, Joel Roy, and others will bike 100 miles (The Century Ride) in Oregon’s Eschelon Gran Fondo of Hood River to raise money for Mike Swartout and his family.

According to Dave Brown, VP of Sales at Optima Graphics, “Mike has been there to help Optima and its customers many times over the years so when Kevin suggested we do this ride to raise money for Mike’s family, we immediately said yes.”

I am approaching my 12-year cancer-free anniversary next month, and in that time I have been very impressed with Mike’s selflessness, courage, and attitude since his terminal diagnosis.

Unfortunately, I have known too many people who have been affected by cancer, but none have personally moved me quite like Mike. He decided, very early on, to become a research patient after his diagnosis of Advanced Stage 4 Prostate Cancer. He was not going to sit back and just take it. He wanted to do something for others.

Since his diagnosis, Mike has opted to undergo countless experimental treatments. Treatments that are solely intended to benefit people diagnosed with this dreaded disease in the future.

Optima Graphics, Classic Exhibits, Creative Dimensions, and Greg Garrett Designs certainly have a great working partnership, but within our companies, the relationships run much deeper. We are friends. So, when thinking about participating in this event, I naturally wanted to take the challenge with my friends and Mike’s.

EDPA Foundation

Special thanks to The EDPA Foundation! Dave Walens and Jeff Provost stepped in right away and allowed us to raise money through the foundation for Mike, thus allowing any and all donations to be fully tax deductible for individuals and businesses.

Visit our team’s page to learn how to donate to Mike’s family and how to help alleviate the severe financial hardship they are experiencing. In particular, Mike does not have life insurance which is a future hardship for his lovely wife Janet.

Mike is a huge proponent of men having regular prostate exams; prevention and early detection are the keys.

The team, “Club 815, Powered by The EDPA Foundation” will ride on September 22, 2012. If you are interested in riding with us, email me and I will send you all the information (kevin@classicexhibits.com).  There is a 30 mile, 80 mile, or 100 mile ride. So take the challenge . . . I dare ya! 🙂

Please consider supporting us. We would appreciate it.

Hope you all have a great weekend and be well.

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

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