Life as a Traveling Sales Representative
Snake Oil Salesman or Snake Charmer. The traveling salesman has always had slightly negative, slightly shady reputation. If you’ve ever seen The Music Man, particularly the opening scene on train, you’ll know what I mean. I would like to think business has changed from the days of the “snake oil salesman” to what we now refer to as a “manufacturer’s rep.
29 Ways to Cut Your Trade Show Costs
Many exhibitors are guilty of two self-inflicted mistakes when it comes to trade shows. They don’t have a comprehensive sales and marketing strategy, and they don’t manage their trade show costs before, during, and after the event. Let’s change that.
10 Online Tools for Classic Exhibits Distributors
At a recent Shared Knowledge University, we reviewed ten online tools available to all Classic Exhibits Distributors. The attendees told us that these tools are invaluable to their sales, marketing, and customer service teams and are unique within the exhibit industry.
Why Small Businesses Fail to Grow by Jay Goltz
Excerpt from the “Art of Running a Small Business.” Many, if not most, Classic Exhibits distributors fall into the small business classification as defined by the Small Business Administration. Small businesses have challenges that larger businesses do not.
Top 12 Trade Show Bad Habits
All animals, humans included, are creatures of habit. We learn how to survive, then follow those routines day after day. Trade shows are no different. Exhibitors and attendees find their safe space and get comfortable: same shows, same people, same message.
Your Trade Show Marketing in 2026
When it comes to trade shows, many exhibitors don’t have a detailed plan on how to market their company. They purchase a display, which they think is the key to a successful show. Your exhibit may be the star of the show but it’s only one element in a comprehensive strategy.
Customer Service and Success on the Trade Show Floor
We all recognize this scene from Seinfeld: The rental car desk. The banter between Jerry and Elaine. And the snide, indifferent response from the rental car agent. We’ve all experienced this poor customer service from an overbooked flight, a missed service appointment, or a bait and switch on an advertised product.
IMEX America Hosted Buyer Lounge (Condensed Version)
IMEX America 2025 brought together 17,633 participants, including more than 6,000 buyers from 75 countries, reinforcing the event’s position as a high-value marketplace for the global meetings industry. At the center of this ecosystem was the CORT Events’ Hosted Buyer Lounge, designed as a dedicated environment.
Your 7 Truths about Renting a Trade Show Exhibit
Trade Show exhibit rentals are growing. Rapidly. And exhibit companies are trying to position themselves based on their individual strengths. Some rental-only exhibit companies are touting renting as the only solution. They say, “Why buy when you can rent? No more storage fees. You can change the display for every show. The cost is less.”
40 Weird Things You Do @ Trade Shows
Trade shows can be a strange world whether you are an exhibitor, attendee, or an industry insider. While many behaviors might seem normal to you as a member of the trade show community, others are downright bizarre to those who rarely set foot in a trade show hall.
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Becoming Bigfoot at EXHIBITORLIVE
“Would you ever consider dressing up as Bigfoot on the show floor to help promote our Believe theme?” Are you kidding me? Did you even have the slightest sense of who you are speaking with? Do you think there is even the slightest chance I might say no? Come on! Dressing up as Bigfoot and walking the show floor for my last show? YES, PLEASE!
Eco-Friendly Giveaway Ideas for Trade Shows
Trade shows and giveaways go together like peanut butter and jelly. Promotional products, as the industry likes to call them, are irresistible when done well. Recently, customers have been asking for eco-friendly or sustainable products.
Top Technology Trade Shows and Exhibit Setup Tips
Technology companies understand that a successful trade show can boost their sales for the year. As a result, they take their trade show planning seriously. They develop a comprehensive strategy for their pre-show, show, and post show activities.
Hybrid Booth Layout Tips for Hardware & Software
In the days of yore, trade show exhibits were simple: graphics, products, and lights. Today’s exhibits feature hybrid booth layouts blending hardware and software. This physical and digital combination creates both design complexity and marketing opportunities.
EXHIBITOR 2026 FindIt Top 40 Exhibit Producers
The EXHIBITOR Group recently announced the 9th Annual FindIt Top 40 Exhibit Producers. And for the 9th consecutive year, Classic Exhibits made this prestigious list.
10 Answers to Common Rental Exhibit Questions
10 Trade Show Rental Answers
BOGO Offer on Symphony Portables & BannerBug Stands
Purchase a Symphony Portable in March and April and get a FREE BannerBug Banner Stand (BB-001). Choose from over 80 Symphony 10, 20, and 30 ft. kits. See the details in the promotional flyer.
EuroShop 2026 Design Trends
Recently, Kevin Carty and Katina Rigall Zipay from Classic Exhibits attend EuroShop 2026 in Duesseldorf, Germany. While there, they posted two videos of their experience including exhibition design trends like colors, shapes, materials, and lighting
Small Booth Strategies for First-Time Fancy Food Exhibitors
Are you a first-time exhibitor at the Summer Fancy Food Show in NYC? Congratulations! The SFFS is a marathon of tasting, networking, and business deals, open only to qualified members of the food trade. Think retail buyers, distributors, chefs, and the press. Expect to see over 32,000 attendees, 2500 exhibitors, and 180,000 specialty food and beverages on display.
Booth Design Ideas That Help Biotech Brands Stand Out at BIO 2026
Are you an exhibitor or an attendee at BIO? If you’re an exhibitor, you’re probably wondering how individual biotech brands stand out at the BIO International Convention? The key is knowing your audience, creating a comprehensive strategy, and designing a stunning biotech booth design.
A Better Way to Rent Trade Show Furniture
If you have ever rented furniture from the show book, you know it’s not always user-friendly. And too often, it’s a task that’s completed right before the show, adding stress and expense to your trade show experience. We have a better solution.
Sustainability isn’t Rocket Science. It’s a Choice.
Exhibitors often think they need to make an either/or decision regarding sustainability. Either choose a 100-percent eco-friendly exhibit or a booth that gives Mother Nature a symbolic middle finger.
Trade Shows are a Journey. Send Sacagawea.
The Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Display is an American-engineered and built system designed for professional exhibitors. It’s meant to last for years, look amazing, and setup fast from the first to the fiftieth show. No compromises.
Introducing the New Classic Website!
Good websites are never fully done. They evolve… and the new Classic website makes changes much easier. So, if “stuff” moves around or we add new features, it’s because we’re antsy about the status quo at Classic Exhibits. Which shouldn’t surprise you.
Retail Customer Service: The Best Practices for Trade Shows
At a trade show, booth staff training is often the deciding factor between making a lasting impression or being forgotten. While your sales, marketing, and C-level staff in the booth have excellent customer service skills, they may be unfamiliar with how to maximize their impact in a trade show booth.