Classic Rental Solutions has the largest inventory of contemporary rental displays, exhibits, and accessories in North America. Our extensive rental program and creative design capabilities can be customized to fulfill any trade show, event, or sales meeting needs. Whether it’s a 20 x 20 island, a 10 x 10 portable display, or 50 counters with locking storage.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, and custom-hybrid exhibit solutions. Classic Exhibits products are represented by an extensive distributor network in North America and in select International markets. For more information, contact us at 866-652-2100 or www.classicexhibits.com.
Last summer, we “predicted” (5) post-pandemic display trends (based on hunches, educated guesses, and a six pack of PBR tall boys). So… how well did we do?
What We’re Seeing:
Graphics – Not surprising. Mostly for smaller displays; however we anticipate larger graphic orders in Q3 & Q4 as exhibitors dust-off their storage properties.
Portables – We expected the new Symphony Portable System to do well. However not this well. What’s even more shocking… it’s being driven by end-users who specifically ask for Symphony.
Rentals – We predicted far more inline than island requests. We’re seeing more islands than inlines. Very encouraging!
Custom Modular (and Lightboxes) – The eager beaver exhibitors are driving this. Since shows are still evolving, exhibitors are forced to be flexible. As a result, we’re seeing a significant interest in Gravitee Modular Wall designs and SuperNova Lightboxes (both tool-less and modular).
Pandemic – It would end by September 2020. 😉
Well, #5 was a swing and a miss. And #3 is very encouraging. All the others are spot on!
I asked Edie Arambula, Classic’s Customer Service Manager, and Jim Shelman, GM Classic Rental Solutions, to share what Classic Distributors have requested over the past two weeks. We thought you might find the trends interesting.
Symphony Portable Displays
SYK-2021
SYK-2023
SYK-2011
SYK-1014
SYK-1004
SYK-1029
SYK-2009
Custom Modular (and Lightboxes)
VK-2110
VK-1323
VK-1977
VK-2307
VK-4025
VK-4027
VK-2993
Rental Islands
RE–9047
RE-9093
RE-9118
RE-9095
RE-9119
RE-9123
RE-9124
RE-9127
RE-9129
RE-9135
Rental Inlines
RE-2116
RE-2038
RE-2099
RE-2101
RE-2110
RE-2106
RE-2119
Are you seeing any other trends? If so, let us know so we can share with our sales, project management, and design teams.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, and custom-hybrid exhibit solutions. Classic Exhibits products are represented by an extensive distributor network in North America and in select International markets. For more information, contact us at 866-652-2100 or www.classicexhibits.com.
Trade shows are back, and exhibitors are talking about new graphics, giveaways, and Las Vegas. I love the renewed excitement for trade shows… and to some extent, loath it. I get to hear exhibitors grumble about the cost of a display, poor leads, drayage, and their ROI. And, no matter how much we coach them, there’s always a few marketing managers who just don’t get it. They buy cheap, basic displays, don’t do any pre-show marketing, bring the wrong staff, and then take a cavalier approach to show leads. Their results suck, and they wonder why.
It’s not an age thing. Baby boomers are no better than Millennials, Gen X’ers or Gen Y’ers. So, let’s draw a comparison to other advertising. Would most marketers make these advertising choices?
Magazine Ad:
1. So… the black and white ad is cheaper? Yes, I realize this is a glossy color publication, but B&W ads are “artistic,” and I can run two for the price of one. 2. Thanks for the publication’s circulation numbers and demographics. No need to explain. I’ll review it later in my “reading” room. 3. My unemployed second cousin is designing the ad with a pirated copy of Illustrator. I’m paying him in pizza and PBR. 4. The sales team doesn’t need to see the ad. It’s their job to sell whatever we tell them to sell. 5. That B&W ad didn’t work. I’m not going to advertise there again. Stupid magazine!
Television Commercial:
1. “Video Production for Commercials” [Google Search]. That first one looks just fine. 2. Concept storyboard? Nah! Creativity should be spontaneous! 3. Those 2-4 am slots are cheap. I can run the spots 6 times an hour. 4. Neilsen ratings? That’s for amateurs who don’t trust their “gut.” 5. That television commercial didn’t work. I’m not advertising with them again. Stupid TV station.
Online Banner Ads and PPC:
1. My admin assistant manages our banner ads and PPC. Ruthie — Don’t you handle that? 2. Of course, we have a Google Analytics account. I have the password around here somewhere. 3. $2.50 a click? No brainer. Here’s my credit card. How much could that possibly cost? 4. You saw my banner ad on what site? For what? Oh that’s bad. That’s really bad. 5. That online advertising and PPC didn’t work. I’ve canceled my accounts. Stupid Internet.
Social Media:
1. Blogging? Love it. I’ll post every day for the next year! Starting tomorrow. 2. Who doesn’t love cats and kittens? Let me share. 3. Aren’t LinkedIn and Facebook basically the same? I post the same stuff on both. 4. 75 Tweets today. Where did the day go? 5. That social media didn’t work. What a colossal waste of time. Stupid Social Media.
You get my point. Trade show marketing should be treated with the same intensity, analysis, and professionalism as every other form of marketing. For many companies, it can represent up to 40% of their annual marketing budget; yet, they often see it as a distraction, not an opportunity. If you don’t have time to become an expert, hire an expert. There are many trade show consultants who have devoted their careers to ensure their clients succeed at face-to-face marketing.
Stupid? Not if trade show marketing is done right.
Based in Portland, Oregon, Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, and custom-hybrid exhibit solutions. Classic Exhibits products are represented by an extensive distributor network in North America and in select International markets. For more information, contact us at 866-652-2100 or www.classicexhibits.com.
In the past, elegance and structure have not really been associated with portable trade show displays. Convenience yes. Upscale no. So what do I mean when I say that some portable displays have not been like the others?
One Of These Is Not Like The Others
Pop-ups and Panel Systems
First a little portable display history lesson. Over the years, portable exhibits have come in many shapes and sizes. The most common had Velcro-compatible fabric panels, like pop-ups and folding panel systems. You could print graphics and Velcro them to the exhibit. They were revolutionary at the time, and there have been a lot of product advancements with these systems, like the introduction of photo mural panels which elevated them to another level. Many exhibitors continue to use them.
Pop-up Display with Mural Graphics
Tube Systems
There have been other portable displays systems over the years.
One of the most popular is tube stands, an aluminum tube system with a pillowcase graphic that slides over the frame. There have been advancements in this system such as adding different frame sizes, accessories and more. Different frame sizes are used together to make modular displays.
Tube stands with pillowcase graphics are lightweight and easy to set-up. And the pillow case allows for two-sided graphics.
Tube Frame with Pillowcase Graphics
Some Downsides
They are beginning to look dated
Graphics, unless done well can be saggy
The cheap versions are unstable (usually sold by promotional product companies or others with no business selling trade show exhibits)
Most carry limited warranties (you break it, you replace it)
They really have become a commodity item
Everyone seems to have them now
Now, why would I tell you the downsides of a system that we sell a lot? Total Displays has always provided good quality products. We do sell a lot of tube systems. Typically the people who are buying them are upgrading from an old school pop-up display, or they are often replacing retractable banner stands with simple tube stands.
If you love the look of a tube stand, be sure to buy from a reputable trade show exhibit company. If you want to see the difference in quality, let me know and we can do a Zoom meeting where I can show you one of ours vs. one that was produced by a promotional products company. Trust me when I say they should stick to pens and hand sanitizers. They really know nothing about trade show exhibits.
Next time you walk the show floor, take notice of them. How many look good, how many do you see?
Banner Stands
Another popular portable option has been retractable banner stands. Again, really a commodity item. Seriously, everyone has them. I have seen 10 x 30 and 10 x 40 exhibits filled with retractable banner stands. They may be easy, but do they really represent your brand in the best light possible? When used in the right situation and environment, retractables banner stands can be a great solution. But if you really want major impact? Look for something else.
Why do you exhibit at a trade show? What is the purpose of your exhibit materials? One of the whole points of a trade show exhibit is to make you stand out in a crowd!
So what we would recommend?
We have a new line of products, called Symphony PORTABLE DISPLAY ELEGANCE. In the past, portable exhibits have generally looked portable. The tube systems were a step in the right direction. But now we have the next step.
Do These Look Portable to You?
Multiple frame shapes/sizes to build customs looks
Large monitor support.
Cell phone charging ports on backwall counters.
Curves.
Sturdy, aluminum extrusion frames.
Professional tight fit, silicone edge graphics.
LOCKING storage in counters.
COMPLETELY Tool-less assembly
Elegant Portable Exhibit Ideas
Call or email us at 952-941-4511 or sales@totaldisplays.com to review components and build your own custom look with this amazing new system. P.S. They are on sale right now. BONUS
Lori (and David) Hanken own Total Displays in Edina, MN. Since 1984, Total Displays has been the leading one-stop shop for exhibit marketing needs in the Upper Midwest. For more information, see www.totaldisplays.com or call 952-941-4511.
Trade Show Designs, like everything else, age. Sometimes gracefully. Sometimes not. At Classic Exhibits and Eco-Systems Sustainable, we review the kits in Exhibit Design Search several times a year. During that review process, we decide whether to keep a kit “as is,” to revised it, or to retire it.
Below are three recently revised and updated kits. We thought you might enjoy seeing the changes.
