Trade Show TalesBlog

Open and Airy

For the next two weeks, we’ll share 10 Things We Probably Shouldn’t — one each day. Actually one, plus another one.  Enjoy!

#6. Talented trade show exhibit designers are different (and sometimes a little scary). By nature, they are creative, resourceful, efficient, inquisitive, and even petulant at times. They have the uncanny ability to envision complex solutions with minimal instructions.  And while many of them are mentalists, like Kreskin, they are not psychics or mind-readers. They are good, just not that good. Want some practical advice on how to maximize a designer’s creative potential and minimize any peevishness (Hey, we’re human too)? Then we urge you to avoid the following “cotton candy” design instructions:

• Open and Airy
• Contemporary but Classic
• Clean not Cluttered
• Modern Looking but No Metal
• Hi-tech
• We’ll know what we want when we see it (Ugh?!!!!!!!)

Plus 1. Our production manager is Jim, but that isn’t his real name. Ten years ago, our former production manager couldn’t pronounce “Yevgeniy,” so rather than learn to pronounce it, he simply decided that “Jim” was easier.  He’s been Jim ever since. We share this because it illustrates how our production team accommodates distributor requests (sometimes to a fault). If you want a Yevgeniy to be a Jim, then they’ll make it a Jim.

Scroll down to see entries #1 -#5.

For the next two weeks, we’ll share 10 Things We Probably Shouldn’t — one each day. Actually one, plus another one.  Enjoy!

#5. Classic Exhibits markets two pop up displays — the Quadro S (Square Frame) and the Quadro EO (Self-locking, Economy Option Frame). We want to be sympathetic when you tell us that having two pop ups systems named Quadro is confusing (we really do). But the sarcastic side of us says, “This is the same person who could describe ‘at length’ the differences between the Oreo Sandwich Creme and the Oreo Double Stuff and why the Oreo Cakester is better than the Milk Chocolate Covered Oreo.” 

Plus 1. Anyone who has ever visited Classic can confirm the following . . .  Classic has no lobby, no showroom, no receptionist. When you enter our building, you walk into our manufacturing plant. There’s no better example of who we are and what we do than that. We are a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of trade show exhibits whose products are sold through an independent network of professional distributors.

Scroll down to see entries #1 -#4.

For the next two weeks, we’ll share 10 Things We Probably Shouldn’t — one each day. Actually one, plus another one. Enjoy!

#4. We often talk about being a transparent company. We’ll discuss any facet of Classic Exhibits Inc. except our financials (we’re privately held). But just this once, we’ll break that rule. On occasion, a distributor will ask us if we have enough aluminum extrusion to handle a large order. We always smile. Currently, we have over a million dollars in aluminum extrusion in our inventory. It would have to be a REALLY BIG ORDER to put a dent in it. But if you’re up for the challenge . . . Bring it on baby!

Plus 1. Aside from Reid Sherwood’s obvious sales and people skills, not many people know that the third reason he was hired by Classic had a lot to do with Mel White’s obsession with Bigfoot!

For the only legitimate source of Bigfoot facts and sightings (according to Mel . . . and he’s serious), refer to the non-profit Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (www.bfro.net).

Scroll down to see entries #1 -#3.

For the next two weeks, we’ll share 10 Things We Probably Shouldn’t — one each day. Actually one, plus another one.  Enjoy!

#3. Yes, Sacagawea is an odd name for an exhibit system, but we wanted to continue the explorer theme (Magellan). Do you have any idea how hard it is to find an explorer whose reputation hasn’t taken a beating in recent history? Think Cortez, Columbus, Pizarro . . . basically any explorer in the “New World.” For anyone struggling with how to pronounce “Sacagawea” or for a quick history lesson about this remarkable woman, click here.  

Plus 1. Despite our denials, we actually own an anti-gravity device. We only use it for our special customers since it requires Plutonium 286 to power the reactor.

Scroll down to see entries #1 and #2.