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Exhibit Renderings Rock . . . But Photos Rule!
November 8th, 2009
COMMENTS
Magellan Miracle Portable Hybrid Display
Our website, like most exhibit websites, has an abundance of renderings. It makes sense. Renderings allow our designers to show multiple exhibit designs quickly and economically. However, given a choice, nearly everyone would rather see photos over renderings.
Portable Hybrid Displays
The fastest growing segment in the trade show exhibit industry is portable hybrids. What are portable hybrids? Click on this link for an explanation, or simply click on the two photo gallery links below. These galleries show actual orders in the Classic Exhibits Setup Area over the past six to nine months. It doesn’t include every portable hybrid ordered, nor does it show the other exhibit lines we manufacturer. If you are interested in seeing a more comprehensive photo gallery, we encourage you to visit P5D, our daily blog of photos (which goes back nearly four years). We think you’ll enjoy seeing how exhibit trends are constantly changing from season-to-season and year-to-year.
The gallery links below include designs from our Perfect 10, Perfect 20, Magellan, and Sacagawea lines. In addition, you’ll see creative examples of counters, pedestals, workstations, and kiosks. Let us know what you like (and don’t like).
Recent Portable Hybrid Displays
Gallery 1: http://www.classicexhibits.com/trade-show-photos/october-09
Gallery 2: http://www.classicexhibits.com/trade-show-photos/january-09
–Mel White
Word on the Street — November 2nd thru November 6th
November 7th, 2009
COMMENTS
Word on the Street by Kevin Carty
Great Marketing Or a Sign of Desperation?
I’ve seen a lot of promotions this week that left me wondering if the ads are brilliant marketing or a desperate attempt to pay creditors.
In any marketing campaign, you want to create an offer that entices buyers to act, but your customers shouldn’t smell smoke — like there’s a fire sale in progress.
For example, I saw an ad for a local car dealer. The dealer was offering to take trade-ins for the high Kelley Blue Book Value — No Questions Asked. In return, you had to buy at least a $20,000 new car. Now, I won’t pretend to understand the car business, but if you do the math, this promotion doesn’t make sense, especially if their customer knows how to negotiate. Let’s say you decide to trade-in your car. The high book value is $12,000, but you know it would sell for $9000 on the used car market. You purchase the $20,000 car. The dealership is, in essence, getting $17,000. Unless I am wrong, the average markup on a new car is 6-7% (based on MSRP). So, based on that, the $20,000 car cost the dealership something like $18,600, yet they sold it essentially for $17,000 once they offload your trade-in, amounting to a $1600 loss. Even if they did make money on the deal, it couldn’t have been very much.
I don’t know about you, but I never feel comfortable in that situation. It may make sense at a yard sale where you’re buying knickknacks, exercise equipment, or a cheap bookcase, but when you’re making an investment, you want to make sure your supplier is committed to staying “in business.”
When the Math Doesn’t Add Up
In our industry, we’re seeing promotions for exhibits selling at prices we would have never thought possible . . . all under the guise of “saving you and your customer money during the down economy.” Yet the same math applies if you understand the costs involved in producing exhibits — whether imported or manufactured domestically.
Maybe it’s just me, but I’m seeing too many promotions where the math doesn’t add up. Frankly, when the “promotion” results in a head-scratching moment, I wonder whether it’s a top-line revenue ploy or whether the product is of less-than-acceptable quality.
Marketing and promotion during a bad economy can be tricky, but it’s important that it doesn’t come across as a last second Hail Mary pass before the clock clicks down to zero.
Have you seen promotions that left you questioning the motivation? I’d enjoy hearing from you about these. What message does it send? Does it matter if, in the end, you (and your customer) are getting a great deal?
Have a safe and restful weekend.
Be Well!
–Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a
7 Tips to Selecting Your Next Trade Show Space
November 3rd, 2009
2 COMMENTS
Trade Show Booth Selection
What You Should Know about Trade Show Booth Selection
- Trade show exhibit booth space is assigned based on booth size and show seniority
- Location is only one factor in selecting an ideal exhibit booth space
- Keep some distance between you and your competitors
- Restrictions on height can vary by show and by country
In general, trade show booth spaces are assigned based on an exhibitor’s past participation in the show (seniority). Exhibitors who attended in the past are contacted first and allowed to select their space. New exhibitors are contacted later.
You can usually draw a triangle from the entrance of the show hall to determine where the highest demand spaces will be; however, there are always other spaces with good visibility and high traffic depending on the show hall. For new exhibitors with a sharp eye, prime spaces may be available later in the selection process. It is not uncommon for exhibitors to cancel their reservation, sometimes months and even weeks before the show. Show organizers are happy to move you into a more favorable location if they know you are willing to relocate.
It’s Not Just Location
Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Display — 60 Day Guarantee
November 2nd, 2009
COMMENTS
Sacagawea 60 Day Guarantee
Nearly everything we purchase — clothes, electronics, tools, even groceries — has a return policy. Some are as liberal as “no questions asked.” Others require a receipt and all the original packaging in resalable condition.
A First for the Exhibit Industry
As far as we know, the trade show exhibit industry has never offered a return policy. Warranties yes. Even lifetime warranties, such as on pop up frames. But not return policies. Classic Exhibits has decided to change that thinking. Effective September 1 through December 31, Classic Exhibits will offer an unconditional no questions asked 60 Day Return Guarantee on the NEW Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Display. Try it for 60 Days. If you don’t like it, you can return it to your Classic Distributor for a refund, minus graphics and shipping charges.
Watch the Animation Video
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb2BaDkTL64&fmt=18
Why Would We Make This Offer?
First, the Sacagawea Hybrid Display, and all 48 Sacagawea kits, are upscale, high-quality exhibits designed and priced for a cost-competitive, portable market. The displays are constructed from MODUL aluminum extrusions and manufactured to CNC tolerances. They are attractive, durable, lightweight, and inexpensive displays. Frankly, the risks are minimal. It’s an exceptional product built to last many, many years and designed to adapt to the exhibit marketing needs of any company.
Second, the Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Display is new. As with any new product, it takes a little while before the message spreads. Smart promotions jumpstart awareness of a new product, and, if you really believe in your product, you might as well offer a promotion that has some teeth and real value.
We invite you to take a moment to review the Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Designs – both the “T-Series” and the “P-Series.” There are (34) 10’ x 10’ and (14) 10’ x 20’ designs, including counters, monitor workstations, canopies, standoff signage, and large tension fabric graphics. All the kits pack in portable roto-molded cases, typically one or two cases for the 10 ft. kits and two, three or four cases for the 20 ft. kits. Assembly is easy, anywhere from 20 to 50 minutes.
Give us a call or send us an email if you have questions. We would enjoy hearing your thoughts.
–Mel White
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
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