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Happy Holidays from Your Classic Exhibits Family: Word on the Street — December 16th thru December 20th

December 21st, 2013 Mel White 3 COMMENTS

A Classic Holiday Season

Is the tree up? Are the packages wrapped? Are you ready for the mayhem?

It’s the best time of the year in my humble opinion. Christmas and New Years are just around the corner. Literally! And just when you think you’re done with all your holiday shopping and you have everything prepared for the big day, you always find that you have one more thing to do or get.

Well, this year, for the first time I can remember, I am actually all done with all my holiday shopping. And it’s a great feeling . . . and this year it’s a good thing too. Because at work we are busy, busy, busy. So there is little free time.

Work-wise we always await this time of year to see what’s in store for us. It’s always feast or famine during the final two weeks. Companies either spend their remaining budgets or go quiet for a couple weeks. This year, people are spending their end-of-year budgets. So while we are hectic, we appreciate all your orders. Thanks Santa!

I hope you have lots of amazing plans in the coming days with your families and friends. I know we do. Time with family and friends, church, and functions at the twins school. Great, great fun.

From all of us at Classic Exhibits, Exhibits NW, Classic Rentals, and ClassicMODUL, we wish you a fantastic upcoming week with your families. One that is safe and filled with joy and merriment.

And as far as the business stuff goes — keep it coming. No one wants a lump of coal to ruin the Holiday Cheer.

Be well and Merry Christmas.

–Kevin
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a

p.s. I am currently working on my Annual State of the Company Letter. Hope to have it completed in the next couple of weeks.

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Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits Annual Letter

December 13th, 2013 Mel White 1 COMMENT

This week, we’re sharing the Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits Annual Letter from Eric Albery, the VP of Marketing and Business Development. As many of you know, we have a manufacturing partnership with Eco-Systems. For those unfamiliar with Eco-Systems, we encourage you to visit eSmart Galleries in Exhibit Design Search or spend time on their website (www.ecosystemsdisplays.com).

Eric Albery, Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits

Annual Letter and Review

As 2013 comes to a close, it marks the seven year anniversary of Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits. Yes, seven years. We’ve come a long way as many of you know. After yet another amazing year, I want to share with you what we saw in 2013 and what to expect in 2014.

This year, I have been on the road visiting distributors more frequently, a trend that will continue in 2014. Those visits have been very beneficial – not only in conveying the goals and capabilities of Eco-Systems, but also in understanding your challenges and what you expect from a manufacturer. The overwhelming consensus is that design sells! That message is loud and clear. Our Design Department continues to be the centerpiece of Eco-Systems, as Lisa and Lauren continue to push the boundaries of exhibit design. Not a week goes by that I don’t hear positive comments about our designs, our designers, and our responsiveness to your client’s requests. Thank You!

One example is the “Kit to Custom” campaign, which showcases customized kits. You’ve told us time and time again that speed, accuracy, and free design services are invaluable in the sales process. We hear you. While other manufacturers make the customization process cumbersome and expensive, we don’t. We live for those opportunities.

I can’t say enough about our four year manufacturing partnership with Classic Exhibits. It allows us to be flexible on design, whether modular or custom, meet seemingly impossible lead times, and offer competitive pricing. Our “kit” offerings continue to grow, and many existing kits are being re-engineered to incorporate newer, lighter, and more innovative materials. All of these advancements and innovations ensure your client receives a better exhibiting experience at a lower price.

In 2014, Eco-Systems will continue to be the leader in sustainable exhibit technology and will continue to innovate state of the art materials and manufacturing processes. We hear from distributors that “sustainable” is no longer a want but an expectation, if the design and pricing is comparable. We have solved this issue and are now able to offer the most sustainable and innovative exhibit options on the market at the same price (or sometimes lower) than traditional displays. While some customers may not be asking for sustainable solutions, they are delighted when presented with designs that fit their exhibit marketing goals and are sustainable.

What Else Can You Expect from Eco-Systems in 2014?

  • A “New and Improved” Website.
  • EXHIBITOR2014. We’ll see you there!
  • Additional Green Graphic Options.
  • More Island and Rental Solutions.
  • And So Much More.

Last year was especially monumental for Eco-Systems as we increased sales, expanded design capabilities, and welcomed a host of new distributors. Our loyal and talented distribution network continues to be the lifeblood of Eco-Systems, and we appreciate your business and support. I speak for everyone here at Eco-Systems when I say “Thank You”. We look forward to working with you in 2014 and welcome your feedback and advice.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Eric Albery, VP of Marketing & Business Development
eric@ecosystemsdisplays.com | 616.726.6269
www.ecosystemsdisplays.com | 866.463.2611

 

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EDPA ACCESS 2013 Review: Word on the Street — December 2nd thru December 6th

December 7th, 2013 Mel White 1 COMMENT
EDPA ACCESS 2013 Review

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Lots to Share My Friends

Marco Island was the setting and what an incredible setting it was. It was 20 degrees in Oregon all week, windy and crisp. But in Marco, it was in the mid-80’s and sunny. Not that I got to experience much of the sun. We had a jam-packed week of content rich sessions and enjoyable networking.

Prior to the ACCESS event, as a member of the EDPA Board of Directors, I participated in a motivating Board Meeting with my fellow Board Members. We caught up on the association’s initiatives as well as spent a lot of time charting the continued course of the association, a course that includes a magnificent new EDPA Certification project that was launched at this year’s event. Gwen Hill from Exhibitforce did an incredible job laying out this certification process. Think of it as a “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” for exhibit builders which will remove much of daunting detail gathering we all go through in the RFP process with customers. Exciting stuff!

The event started in the sun at the annual EDPA Golf Outing, proudly sponsored in part by Classic Exhibits. The weather was beautiful and the course was challenging. But, the really challenging part was all the freaking gators and not just little baby gators — 6′, 7′, and 8′ gators. A shot near the water’s edge certainly left you questioning whether or not it was really worth $5 to retrieve your ball.

The Golf Outing benefits the EDPA Foundation. Something I am truly passionate about. Proud to say that a lot of money was raised for the foundation and its future good works.

Later on Wednesday, the ACCESS event took off with the opening reception and opening of the Showcase (exhibit hall). More than 300 industry professionals descended on the Showcase to preview all the suppliers showing off their wares. Classic Exhibits was a proud participant showing off our SuperNova LED Backlighting in a 10 x 20 back wall. We were also debuting a great new counter and stool unit from OTM (On The Move). More to come on that in the coming weeks, but suffice to say, it was a real hit!

Thursday morning started with a breakfast meeting with the entire member group and a great welcome from then president Justin Hersh. After that, I was off to Speed Networking, an hour long session where you got two minutes to network with someone at your table, then every two minutes the tables shifted to another person. It was a great way for me to meet many new members and some old friends and get a feel for who they were and what they did. Truly a smart format for meeting a lot of people in the course of one jam-packed hour.

I attended many sessions Thursday but the other highlight session for me was the “Partnering With Contractors and Show Management” session. After more than 19 years of being in this industry, this was the first time I remember ever having the Builders, the Show Managers, and the General Contractors all in one room to talk about how we can ALL work together to fix many of the issues that end users experience when attending trade shows. I commend both Jay Atherton from Freeman and David Audrain from Clarion Events for their candor, honesty, and their accountability for some of the issues we see and hear about every day from our clients.

Friday was no different. I attended many sessions, even presented one myself — “Leveraging Your Partnerships with Portable/Modular System Providers.” The session went very well and was well attended. I thank all the attendees for their willingness to be active participants. Chris Lake from Highmark was my co-presenter. We used the platform as a way to help explain the benefits that many Custom Houses and Distributors recognize when they partner with companies like Classic to help design and build for their clients 800 square foot and smaller opportunities. Along with Trust, Quality, and a Delivery as key bennies, Margin Predictably was clearly a huge benefit most appreciate in their partner builds.

The event overall was a huge success. The “Not-so-Silent Auction” raised money for the foundation. And the student programs at FIT and Bemidji State University were highlights as well. We even got to see a film that included pictures of our own Trina Broten, who graduated from the Bemidji program. It was a proud moment.

For those who could not be there, you really need to consider joining EDPA. The professional development and professional connections you can make with partners and competitors alike is really well worth it.

This was yet another year where I left the EDPA Annual Meeting feel genuinely proud of my membership and participation on the Board of Directors.

To my EDPA family and friends, it was great to see you, and I want to thank you again for all the new insights you helped me realize at this year’s event and sessions. I always feel like I leave these events with more tools in my management toolbox that hopefully help me be a better leader and help Classic Exhibits be an even better organization to serve its distributors and employees.

Hope you had a great week and look forward to sharing more with you as we talk in the coming weeks. For more photos of EDPA Access, please see our Facebook page.

Be well.

–Kevin
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a

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I Get Questions: Word on the Street — November 25th thru November 29th

December 1st, 2013 Mel White COMMENTS
Elevator Pitch -- Take One

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

The belly is full, Christmas lights are on the house, and the tree is in the stand. Sound familiar? It’s the post-Thanksgiving weekend. It’s just what you do.

Next week, I am off to Marco Island, FL for the Annual EDPA ACCESS meeting. Something I look forward to every year as a proud sponsor and member of the Board of Directors.

Since I will not be seeing some of you there, I thought I would use this week’s blog as an opportunity to practice my elevator pitches to the usual (and unusual) questions that I’m often asked.

1. I haven’t heard of Classic Exhibits. What do you do?

Sigh . . . I don’t get this question as often anymore, but I tell folks that Classic Exhibits is a manufacturer of the highest-quality, best-designed custom hybrid, custom modular, and system exhibits on the market. We lead by design and close with customer service and quality. We are a non-direct selling manufacturer that focuses on helping our distributors build their brands in their markets with our products.

2. How’s business?

2013 has been an odd year. Some real highs and some real lows to be honest. Thankfully many more highs. We celebrated two of our largest months in the company’s history and are looking to finish the year between 10-15% up over last year. I am currently working on my annual State of Company letter. Stay tuned for more in a few weeks.

3. Are you selling many iPad stands?

Many is not quite the term I would use. We sell “tons” of them actually. Overall, our iPad sales have truly been off the charts. I give a lot of credit to our Design and Marketing Departments. They have continued to innovate. It seems like about every two weeks or so they come up with something new or some great little tweak that makes the product line even better than before.

4. What’s the relationship between Classic Exhibits and Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits?

We are great partners first and foremost. Friends second. Classic Exhibits serves as the contract manufacturer for the Eco-Systems product line.

5. Any predictions for 2014?

We have high hopes for 2014. All indications are pointing to Classic and its distributors having a banner year in 2014. Again, more to come in my State of the Company Letter in the coming weeks.

6. How are the twins?

Thanks for asking. They are amazing and continue to be a blessing to my wife and me. As a matter of fact, they just turned 7 this past Sunday, December 1st. They are very proud 1st graders, and we are very proud parents for sure. 🙂

7. Is there any truth to the rumors that Reid Sherwood was selected as an alternate for the Jamaican Bobsled team in the upcoming Sochi Olympics?

SHHH! Nobody is supposed to know that. But let’s just say that Mr. Sherwood is sneaky fast.

8. Hey, you’re from Oregon right? How accurate is that show Portlandia? I mean really, be honest, it’s not that weird right?

Our former Mayor participated in the Naked Bike Ride . . . need I say more?

9. What is selling right now?

More and more Islands. Sure we sell a lot of 10 x 10’s, 10x 20’s, and counters, kiosks, table tops, etc., but we are seeing a huge uptick in the smaller island builds — 20′ x 20’s to 30′ x 40’s and everything in between. Clients seem to be building for more and more “smaller islands” in lieu of their traditional large island builds for one or two big shows a year. Instead they are using smaller islands and attending more regional events.

10. Any design trends that jump of the page these days?

Maybe not a “design” trend so much as an overall “look” trend. We are seeing more backlighting of large dye-sub fabric. Nearly every day we receive requests for backlit fabric using our SuperNova LED technology.

11. How was your Thanksgiving Holiday?

Probably my best ever. Not only did I get four great days with my family and extended family, but my favorite band was in Portland Friday night — Pearl Jam. And as luck would have it, the Tour Manager put me on the band’s special guest list for the show. I watched the entire show standing 8 feet from the lead guitarist. Amazing view!

12.  How is Classic handling the whole healthcare dilemma?

This hotel only has like 8 floors dude.

13. Does Classic Exhibits have a rental program?

Yes, and one that we are very proud of, managed by Jim Shelman. Classic Rentals is probably one of the most custom-built and well-designed Systems Rentals programs you will find. We have inventory located in Portland, Chicago, and Vegas. Everything from the most basic counter units to 20 x 30 double deck structures. And we are continually adding new inventory. Most of which is driven by design and client needs.

14. Duck or Beaver?

Duck for sure for me. Nothing against the Beavers. Just always preferred the Ducks within the state rivalry. I appreciate both programs however and all they have done over the years to bring the spotlight of collegiate sports to the state of Oregon.

Speaking of sports . . . did ya see the finish of that Iron Bowl this weekend? Amazing! Nothing better in life than seeing Nick Satan’s…um…Saban lose in historic fashion. Just saying.

15.  Last but not least — Bigfoot, Sasquatch, or Yeti? Which is it?

Call Mel at ext. 219.

Be well and have a wonderful week ahead. I truly hope you had a great Thanksgiving Weekend with your family and friends.

–Kevin
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a

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Healthcare and an Exhibit House: Word on the Street — November 11th thru November 15th

November 17th, 2013 Mel White 4 COMMENTS
Healthcare and an Exhibit House

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Healthcare Reform

For those who read my weekly post, you know I use it to think out loud on occasion. This week, I want to talk about a touchy topic. Not from any political bent, but because it’s on the news, the radio, and discussed around the water cooler.

The issue of Healthcare Reform affects us all personally and professionally. At Classic, we have attempted to stay on top of it in anticipation of the changes to our employees. Mel White, Beth Senter, and I have had quarterly review meetings with our insurance broker since Q4 2012. And each meeting/review comes with a new list of information, changes, and uncertainties.

Without getting into the details, it has been disheartening mainly because we have not been able to pin down the changes and the cost. At Classic, we pay for the lion share of our employees’ health coverage. Something the three of us have been passionate about and proud of our ability to do so.

But the looming question we face is — Will we be able to maintain the same level of company-paid coverage? If so, what will be the cost? And if the cost rises appreciably how will we pay for it and remain competitive? Right now, we don’t know. Fortunately, our renewal isn’t for another five months so we have a little time. And much is changing.

I believe that we all deserve access to affordable healthcare. But I wonder what is the definition of “affordable” and who is writing the definition. After our Q2 2013 meeting with our insurance broker, I left feeling like my definition of affordable was in sync with what the TV and radio pundits were chattering about. But after our Q3 2013 meeting, I was left scratching my head as to what some folks thought was “affordable” because the very preliminary cost projections had increased.

Now granted, we have seen a myriad of proposed changes recently. And even before the ACA, we went through these potential scary healthcare price increases each year, but it always turned out fine.

If this blog seems disjointed, it’s because the whole concept of what we are about to embark on as country seems disjointed. I don’t remember a time in my life, personally and or professionally, where I have felt more like, “I just don’t know.” And that is inherently sad and frustrating to me because I have faced big medical issues in the past and even larger medical bills.

How are you dealing with this topic at your company? What will be the coverage? What will it cost? What are your options? If you are facing this now, what decisions are you making?

I would love to hear from you. I welcome your calls, your comments, and your emails. Your insights are very important to me. Thanks.

–Kevin
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a

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