| Event Marketer FAB 50
In addition to this week being busy, it’s also been FABULOUS! Why you ask? Because for the fourth straight year, Classic Exhibits Inc. was honored as an Event Marketer FAB 50. The FAB 50 names the Top 50 Exhibit Fabricators in North America.
8 Ways Show Organizers Can Support Exhibitors (to Keep Them Coming Back)
For exhibitors, time is literally money at trade shows – they’ve invested in the opportunity to participate and they’ve had to put a hold on their typical money making activities while away. Even short bursts of wasted time weigh on exhibitors heavily and, in many cases, cloud their opinion of your event overall.
| Our New Home Page
The new home page is beautiful, practical, and efficient. Our previous home page was focused on products and resources. The new site adds secondary layers showing our story, capabilities, and values. Anyone who visits Classic, whether for a tour, product preview, or Shared Knowledge University, realizes that the Classic Story is so much deeper than just our 1400 products.
John Zipay Takes an Alaskan Cruise
Recently, I took a much needed vacation from the trade show world and visited southeastern Alaska via a cruise ship.
The Life Cycle of a Portable Hybrid Display
In general, first generation (new) products are introduced with mid-level quality. Meaning, while the materials may be of a higher quality, there are always bugs, features, etc. that lessen the “perceived” value. Those are remedied quickly, and the quality improves. Think first generation smartphones, cars, or footwear.
Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 2010s
The two biggest mistakes regarding trade shows? People not planning ahead of time, and people not following up once they get home. Some people claim trade shows aren’t worth the cost — but if you don’t continue the relationships you start at shows, you haven’t fulfilled the potential of the show. No wonder some people get so stressed out.
Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 2000s
It’s exhilarating and tiring, and by the end of the trade show, you are ready to escape. Your own bed, your family, your car, your pets, your routine — everything you want is at home. But before you take off, be sure to wrap things up right. Check all the small things before heading out.
| October 2016
October 2016 is a busy month for trade shows in North America. Maybe they are on your radar. Maybe not. But it’s always nice when you don’t have to go hunting for information.
So sit back and enjoy 10 BIG Trade Shows happening in October.
Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 1990s
As a smart marketer, you attend as many trade shows as you can, all while managing the day-to-day operations of your business. Eventually, you may feel as if you’ve been everywhere. You may question if another one is worth it.
Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 1980s
What do customers want? It’s not complicated. They expect you’ll be good to them. How you respond makes all the difference, and saying and showing them that I’ll be good to you sets the right tone. However, even when you are paying attention and putting customers first, unexpected things can and will happen. Being human means that errors will occur.
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Recent Posts
Celebrating Grandma: Word on the Street — May 27th thru May 31st
This weekend, the Carty Family celebrates my grandmother’s 95th birthday. I come from a huge Irish Catholic family, meaning we’ll have 40-50 in attendance at her party. She has chosen an ice cream social, and it’s sure to be a great event. She is an amazing woman!
The Ultimate EDS Webinar — Tips, Tricks, And Techniques
Are you a POWER USER of Exhibit Design Search? You can be . . . all in 60 minutes. With our certified training program, you’ll impress co-workers with your savvy EDS knowledge, close more display sales, reduce visible wrinkles, and regrow hair (lots and lots of hair). Trust us. We’ve done tests.
Join us on Tuesday, June 11 at 10 am PST (1 PM EST) for EDS Tips, Tricks, and Techniques.
Honoring Memorial Day: Word on the Street — May 20th thru May 24th
Whether you’re camping, on a road trip, outta town to see family and friends, or just hanging at home for three days like me, I trust you are enjoying your long weekend.
We all work very hard and while long weekends like Memorial Day Weekend provide us with an extra day to relax, I hope we all take time to reflect and celebrate the reason for the weekend. Please remember those who lost their lives to protect this great country.
Measuring the Impact of Social Media Marketing: Free Webinar
MEASURING SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
“Social Media Metrics: What To Measure And Why” will be the subject of a free webinar on Wednesday, May 22. It is intended to give business leaders perspective on the differences between social media marketing and traditional advertising approaches; and to provide them with an understanding of what data should be driving their analysis of the success of their efforts.
When Simple Statements Make a Difference: Word on the Street — May 13th thru May 17th
You have experienced it a million times: Sometimes the simplest statements can either ruin your day or make it all worthwhile!
As a parent, I am very conscious of this. There’s nothing worse than when your child shows you something they drew or created with Lego’s, all excited, and your response is, “What is it?” or “I am busy. I will look at it later.” No matter how bad or unrecognizable it may be, I always tell my kids, “That’s beautiful. Tell me all about it.”
Katina Rigall Describes the TF-506 Hybrid Display
Katina Rigall, an exhibit designer at Classic, explains why she designed the TF-506 Portable Hybrid Display.
NEW Features in Exhibit Design Search (EDS)
For those Exhibit Design Search groupies, and you know who you are, we’ve added some enhanced features. These features are available on Classic’s EDS, on your branded EDS sites, and on the unbranded version (www.exhibit-design-search.com).
Additions Include:
Add P5D photos to My Gallery. Now you can send kits and photos in one email. Much easier
An iPad Kiosks/Solutions Gallery. This product line continues to grow and deserved a dedicated gallery
A “Show All” feature — Now you can view larger searches and galleries in a single window
Alphabetical Sort. Very convenient if you want to view a search in alphabetical order
New Fabric Swatches page showing all current and available Front Runner, Prelude, and EcoFi fabrics in our assortment
Spring SKU 2013 Graduation: Word on the Street — May 6th thru May 10th
To the Spring 2013 SKU Graduates
What can I say? I am honored you attended Shared Knowledge University. Thanks for participating in an amazing SKU. By the email commentary (that’s still going on), I feel confident in saying that we had the most successful session yet. For those who attended, please share your thoughts in the blog comment section. Future SKU attendees need to hear from you!
$445 iPad Kiosk Special
iPad Kiosk Special
Save $50 on iPad Kiosk designs MOD-1312/1314 through June 30. The MOD-1312/1314 features a convenient clamshell frame with two anti-theft locks. The kiosks have integrated wire management with a 4 outlet power strip.
Choose from multiple graphic solutions including face plates, halos, wings, and direct prints on the post.
As Transparent as EVER: Word on the Street — April 29th thru May 3rd
As I write this, I’m completing final preparations for Shared Knowledge University (SKU). Thirty Distributors, three Vendor Partners, and a host of Classic Exhibits, Exhibits Northwest, Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits, Classic Rentals, and ClassicMODUL employees will participate in the two-day training program at Classic Exhibits. To say that I am excited does not convey my true feelings.
To Move or NOT to Move: Word on the Street — April 22nd thru April 26th
Or Should I Say, WHEN to Move?
Since last fall, we have been wrestling with this question at Classic Exhibits, Exhibits NW, and ClassicMODUL.
It’s no secret, we have been growing. And our growth has been at a consistent pace. But with growth comes the conversation of when to move into a larger building.
‘s EXHIBITOR2013 Commercial
On occasion, Trade Show Tales is literally a commercial for Classic Exhibits. 😉
Classic Exhibits — Chosen for the FAB 50 “Masters of Exhibits”
Earlier today, Event Design and Event Marketer Magazine announced the FAB 50 MASTERS OF EXHIBITS in their April 2013 issue. From the architects of the Ex Awards, Event Design Awards, and the Top 100 Event Agency List comes the first editorial ranking of the best exhibit builders. Classic Exhibits Inc. was chosen as one of North America’s top exhibit designers and builders, one of the few systems builders selected for this honor.
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due: Word on the Street — April 15th thru April 19th
After nearly 19 years in this industry, I have had my fair share of gripes with how General Service Contractors and Show Management manage trade shows. And I have certainly voiced those gripes, hopefully, in a respectful manner.
Well, this past week I was in Chicago for GlobalShop 2013 at McCormick Place as both an exhibitor and an attendee. Freeman was the General Service Contractor for the event. And all I can say is — KUDOS from start to finish.
‘s Hot in this Beauty Pageant?
Rate the iPad Kiosks in this Pageant?
Below are many of the basic iPad Kiosk shapes (without graphic face plates, halos, and wings to influence your decision). Think of it as the swimsuit competition.
All competitors scored 10’s in the talent portion. MOD-1333 was voted Miss Congeniality.