On July 22-23, Marlys Arnold of the Exhibit Marketers Cafe hosted Spark: Reimagine Expos and Events.
During the Spark event, exhibit marketers and trade show organizers had access to forward-thinking ideas, innovations, and strategic connections. The online event included a combination of education sessions, networking opportunities, roundtable conversations, a curated showcase of sponsor exhibits, and more.
Mel White, the VP of Marketing and Business Development at Classic Exhibits, was one of 12 speakers. He shared 5 Pleasant Post-Pandemic Design Surprises that Classic is seeing as exhibitors restart their trade show programs. See the video to watch the full presentation and Q&A,
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.
The Experiential Designers and Producers Association, via their Exhibitor Advocacy Committee, recently published a statement regarding the future of post-pandemic trade shows. It’s a MUST MUST READ.
The first three paragraphs are below with a link to the full statement on the EDPA website.
WHO WE ARE
“The Exhibitor Advocacy Group is an ad hoc group whose members come from the corporate exhibitor community, exhibitor-appointed contractors, unions, show management, and general service contractors. Our mission is to ensure the successful future of trade shows, conventions, congresses, and other face-to-face business events. Our focus is on promoting transparent and reputable business practices, consistent standards, and new business models. We encourage all trade show industry constituents to join us in identifying best practices and helping to build a profitable and equitable industry for all constituencies.”
BACKGROUND
“Before COVID-19, the exhibitor experience on the show floor was deteriorating. Every year, exhibiting costs increased, and issues around transparency, metrics, and cost savings became more problematic. Exclusive show site services from the general contractor like material handling, electrical, and rigging became more complex and expensive, creating a lack of transparency for these services and the associated costs. Leads and data from attendees became proprietary information of show management, and the data was rarely shared so that exhibitors could calculate a meaningful ROI.
Most importantly, there was a significant lack of support from most show management organizations to find cost savings for exhibitors. Instead, the general contractors’ cost savings went to show management and were subsequently recovered through higher costs to exhibitors. Expenses continued to increase without added value. The industry had become stuck in a rut and very hesitant and reluctant to change. Many shows found themselves in a ‘business as usual’ scenario that added no value to anyone – organizer, attendee, or exhibitor.”
Kevin Carty takes us on a tour of the remodeled Classic Exhibits offices.
New Magnetic and Whiteboard Panels
The office redesign includes Gravitee modular walls with detachable magnetic/whiteboard panels, tension fabric (backlit and non-backlit), and clear plex inserts. The changes provide greater personal safety since the surfaces can be cleaned or replaced. The upgraded cubicles offer more protection without sacrificing visibility or communication. All the surfaces can be branded.
In addition, Kevin illustrates how traditional cubicles can be modified with plex headers which adds height, privacy, and safety. For offices that need simple, inexpensive plex dividers, he shows two examples: a version that surrounds a desk on three sides and a partition between two desks.
In this video, Kevin Carty from Classic Exhibits discusses the challenges companies are facing as they plan for employees returning to their offices in a post-COVID world. See www.placelyft.com for more information.
Topics Include:
#1. How to create safe social distancing spaces especially in modern open offices and traditional cubicles.
#2. How to maintain hygienic or sanitary conditions in those offices.
#3. How to create an office space that’s attractive, functional, and modular.
#4. How Classic is designing its offices using Gravitee and ClassicMODUL systems and the new PlaceLyft product line.
