Recent LED Fabric Lightboxes for Trade Shows
It’s “The Unofficial Year of Lightboxes.” Most exhibit orders have LED lights — in a tower, backwall, counter, accent, or stem light. Not all all lightboxes are equal, but what is true is that the fabric, the printing, and the LED lights have gotten better
An Interview with Jim Shelman, GM of Classic Rental Solutions
Every week, Tim Patterson, aka Tradeshow Guy, conducts an interview on his Monday Morning Coffee video/audio broadcast. This week Tim interviewed our own Jim Shelman, the GM of Classic Rental Solutions.
Visual Guide to Trade Show Success
I’m a sucker for a well-designed, informative Infographic, which is why the “Visual Guide to Trade Show Success” from US Event Management caught my attention.
Introducing the Gravitee One-Step Modular Meeting Pods
Introducing the Gravitee Modular Meeting Pods. The Pods come in three configurations: oval, square/rectangle, and trapezoid. Attaching graphics, either direct print or fabric, is a snap and assembly requires neither tools or loose parts.
Convenient Material Handling Calculator
Mention “drayage” or “material handling” to any exhibitor and it’s bound to start a conversation. And not always a pleasant one. So how do you predict your trade show material handling expense? Use our handy Drayage Calculator.
The World of Silicone Edge Graphics (As I See It)
Excellent history of the introduction and evolution of Silicone Edge Graphics (SEG) by Dave Brown. My first exposure to Silicone Edge Graphics (SEG) was in 2002. At the time, we (Optima) were using a foam/rubber gasket to finish fabric graphics.
New Lower Prices on Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Displays
We did our math homework on Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Displays. The margins have gotten better, so we decided to (wait for it!) lower the prices.
Shared Knowledge University — Fall 2018
November in Portland, OR. Overcast. Rainy. Brisk. Nine games into the Portland Trail Blazers schedule. And, if you believe Kevin, the U of O Ducks football team is undefeated and headed to a national championship. Sounds like the ideal time to visit the Rose City for Shared Knowledge University.
Gravitee Modular Lightbox Video with Kevin Carty
We developed a lightbox. But not just any lightbox, one 2″ deep with all the wonderful features of the Gravitee One Step System such as no loose parts and no tool assembly.
Planning — Before the Show Opens. After the Show Closes.
Even if you maximize your pre- and post-show planning, it’s possible to miss potential sales because your trade show planning didn’t include right before the show opens and right after the show closes. Every day.
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Recent Posts
29,363 Miles in 93 Days
I enjoy creating new concepts! It’s what I live for to be honest. All the trips I’ve taken as a representative of Classic Exhibits in 2014 have reinforced that passion: from Dusseldorf for EuroShop in February, to Vegas for EXHIBITOR in March, and now NYC for the FIT Exhibition Design thesis presentations.
Surface 2 & Surface 2 Pro Stands: Word on the Street — May 5th thru May 9th
Up until now, Classic Exhibits has bet heavily on the iPad tablet. You could say we’ve doubled down a few times. And, we’d be lying if we told you that it hasn’t been successful. It’s been crazy (the loading dock is overflowing with orders) successful.
RECENT Exhibit Design Search Updates (see the GIFs)
Your Branded Exhibit Design Search
Nearly every month, we push functional or visual changes to your branded Exhibit Design Search website. Some you may notice. Some you may not.
Do you want to know a secret? I’m a obsessed with EDS (OK, that may be the world’s worst kept secret). And I force Tony, Glenna, and everyone else at Classic Exhibits to share that obsession. If only there was a 10 step program for an EDS addict?
The Classic Exhibits Family is GROWING: Word on the Street — April 28th thru May 2nd
As we continue to grow and fine-tune manufacturing, we recognized the need to fine-tune our Customer Service/Project Management Department as well. Growth presents challenges, and anyone who has experienced rapid sales growth knows, you can wait and react or you can plan and perform.
Trade Show Marketing Success Video (Very Practical Advice!)
Earlier this week, Classic Exhibits hosted the Countdown to Trade Show Success webinar with trade show marketing expert Marlys Arnold. I wish EVERY EXHIBITOR would take 45 minutes and watch it. She presented practical advice about exhibit marketing, graphics, and booth etiquette. If nothing else, start watching at the 29 minute mark, “The 10 Commandments of Booth Staffing.” Excellent advice and spot-on photos of bad and good behavior.
If You Only Have a Hammer . . . : Word on the Street — April 20th thru April 25th
Pointing your finger is almost a rite of passage in sales. It’s always the “other guy” who has a limited set of tools or your competitor who doesn’t listen to the client. Unlike the “other guy,” you would never guide your client toward a product or solution that “just so happens” to fit your product assortment.
Book Download — Super Networking at Events and Tradeshows
A couple of months ago, Tim Patterson, otherwise known as The Tradeshow Guy, wrote a 90 page e-book titled, Super Networking at Tradeshows and Events Using Social Media. He had copies printed and gave them away to friends, industry colleagues, and at trade shows. Classic Exhibits was a sponsor for both the book and the printing.
Reconfigurable Custom Inline Exhibit
All Custom. More Than Modular.
One of the most overused terms in the exhibit industry is “custom modular.” Too often, it means, “At some point in the future if you purchase more components, you can transform this display into another size, but you’re unlikely to do it any time soon.”
However, when done well, it truly means “custom” and “modular.” Here’s an excellent display example, narrated by Charlie Shivel, a project manager at Classic Exhibits.
Why the Big Picture MATTERS in Graphic Design
Many trade show clients and graphic designers are unfamiliar with how to design for 3D structures. If you have a client that fits that description, then our new Graphic Inspiration Galleries will be useful. We’ve dug through the Past Five Days (P5D) photo archives and identified outstanding examples of graphics.
Invite Your Clients and Prospects to Free Training
On April 29, Classic Exhibits will host the “Countdown to Trade Show Success” webinar with trade show marketing expert Marlys Arnold. You have the opportunity to invite your clients and prospects to participate for free, compliments of Classic.
RFP Certification Program: Word on the Street — April 7th thru April 11th
The EDPA RFP Certification program seeks to verify that certain items are in existence, that industry standards and best practices are met and adhered to, based on various benchmarks. Research conducted in 2012 with the assistance of Exhibit Surveys to Corporate Exhibitors proved there “was unanimous enthusiasm for the concept of an EDPA ‘Good Housekeeping Seal’ that would prescreen exhibit house vendors on the basis of business integrity and operational practices and capabilities.
The Experts at the Table: Word on the Street — March 31st thru April 4th
So, forgive me if you’ve seen this video after Seth Godin posted it. It quickly went viral. But, it’s just too good not to share in my weekly WOTS.
Have you ever been in this meeting before? And if you have, should I ask, “Have you ever been any of the ‘non-engineers’ depicted in this video?”
Sour Apple(s): Word on the Street — March 24th thru March 28th
I have long admired the folks in Cupertino for their innovative thoughts, ideas, product aesthetics, design intuitiveness, etc. Apple is a model in many ways of how marketing and product development should be.
Well . . . even the shiniest Apples sometimes have a worm in them, or best said, sometimes they are picked a little too early. This apple is a little sour once you take that second or third bite.
EXHIBITOR / GlobalShop 2014 Recap: Word on the Street — March 17 thru March 21st
My nose is bleeding, my eyes are burning, and I am exhausted! Yep, you guessed it, I was in Vegas for the past week. 🙂
Like many of you, the Classic Team descended on Vegas starting last Friday for both EXHIBITOR Show and GlobalShop. Since we exhibited at both shows, let me break this into two blog posts starting with EXHIBITOR.
Why EXHIBITOR Matters (But Should It?)
Each year, I have to remind myself why participating in EXHIBITOR matters. That may seem odd. After all, EXHIBITOR spends a mountain of cash listing all the reasons to attend. Who am I to argue with them. They know their audience. But, I still have to ask myself why should I attend? I’ve gone at least fifteen times.