Congratulations to our friends at Optima Graphics for winning the Golden Ham Award at the 2010 EDPA Access Conference in Ponte Verdra, FL. Dave Brown and Gina Porcaro are the feature actors in this one-minute spoof of a Progressive Insurance commercial.
Click on the Image to See the Video on Optima's Website
During the 2010 EDPA ACCESS meeting, Kevin Carty, Vice President of Sales for Classic Exhibits Inc., was welcomed as a newest elected member to the EDPA’s Board of Directors with an initial two-year term. Kevin and Classic Exhibits/ClassicMODUL are very active within the exhibit industry as members of not only EDPA but also TSEA (Trade Show Exhibitors Association) and HCEA (Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association) .
The Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA), founded in 1954, is an internationally recognized national trade association with more than 400 corporate members from 18 countries that are engaged in the design, manufacture, transport, installation, and service of displays and exhibits primarily for the exhibition and event industry. Its purpose is to provide education, leadership, and networking for the advancement of its members and the exhibition industry. The mission of the EDPA is to advance the interests of members engaged in the design, production, and service of exhibits, events, and experiential environments. The success and integrity of our industry will be enhanced through advocacy, communication, education, and good works.
EDPA leadership and guidance comprises of an Executive Board and a Board of Directors (a total of 24 volunteers from within the industry), one of whom is the Executive Director of the Association. Only qualified individuals who are representatives of members in good standing of EDPA are eligible for nomination. Board members are elected by the membership at large through an electronic balloting process with newly elected members being announced at EDPA’s annual ACCESS Conference and Showcase. Nominations are brought forth by the Executive Committee, contacted and vetted by the Vice President of Administration then presented on a ballot to the membership.
Word on the Street by Kevin Carty
Your First Day in High School
Do you remember your first day in high school? This week, I’m doing something I haven’t done in almost 12 years. I’m going to a trade show for the first time.
Now as you might imagine, I have been to many, many trade shows over the years — just like you. But this week I am attending as a first time exhibitor. I can’t remember the last time that happened. And it is an interesting process.
What to bring? How to best approach the attendees? What classes to attend? Etc.
I am used to EXHIBITOR, TS2, and EDPA. I know all the usual suspects, friends, competitors, and even many of the end users that come every year. Those shows have become somewhat of a reunion week for many of us. Don’t get me wrong. The shows are work, and we are constantly creating ways to make our presence at these industry shows fresh . . . but again, it’s still familiar. I know what to expect, what to bring, and what classes to attend.
HCEA Conference in New Orleans
This week I am attending and exhibiting in the HCEA Conference for the first time. And when I originally signed up, I had a clear idea of what our goals were and how the show was going to be. I still have a clear idea of our goals, but I have to admit I have no idea what the show is going to be like. I know some of the players as it relates to fellow exhibitors, but just some . . . and I have no clue what the attendees are like.
I have admit — It’s freaking weird! I have been doing this for 16 years next month, and, yet, I feel like I am walking into freshman year of high school all over again. Knowing some of the kids that attended the same elementary school, but in large part not really knowing anybody and not knowing what the process is like. It is exciting and a bit nerve racking at the same time. In addition, this will be my first visit to New Orleans. I’m still not quite sure how that happen considering my extensive travel schedule.
Sacagawea Display for the HCEA Show in New Orleans
Thanks to some very good industry friends, colleagues, and mentors, I was able to ease my nerves a bit after calling them this week. But I must admit, as of Wednesday, I was still calling people asking them what I should wear to the different events associated with the show.
This show is going to be a unique experience for Classic Exhibits. We are partnering with Optima Graphics on a booth space geared solely around Exhibit Design Search. Since neither Optima nor Classic sells anything direct, we are actually going to HCEA in more of a partnership role than anything else. Meaning, our booth space will be another location for Custom Houses to bring their healthcare clients to show them smaller islands, inlines, modulars, hybrids, portables, and graphics.
I am excited to see how the show turns out and to work closely with many of our existing customers and their clients. I am also attending a full slate of classes offered in the curriculum.
Wish me luck! And if you are attending or exhibiting, I will be the shy guy in the corner twiddling my thumbs afraid to ask the hot Sophomore girl to dance. 🙂 NOT!
Seriously though, if you are in New Orleans for the show, please stop by and say hello to Dave Brown and me. We are in booth #100.
Be well and have a great weekend.
–Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a
Word on the Street by Kevin Carty
Why Does Classic Exhibits Participate in TS2
As I traveled this week, I was asked this question several times. And not for any reason other than people were curious why we participate in TS2, when we already exhibit at EXHIBITOR, EDPA, and HCEA.
Well, there are several reasons . . . .
For starters, as some of you know, I am on the Exhibitor Appointed Committee (EAC) for the TS2 Show and have been for about four years. Classic has been a part of the show since 1994, and we continue to believe the show has value and that the concept should be supported not only by us but by the entire industry.
Over the past few years, the show has hit some speed bumps, but it is recovering. Personally, our experience has always been positive. I can say without any hesitation that TS2 has been a very successful show for us every year. One reason — we are a big fish in a small pond at TS2. For reasons that make very little sense to us, very few portable/modular/hybrid manufacturers exhibit, so we end up with the majority of those leads. That means less competition on the floor and better yet, virtually no competition when Classic distributors follow up on the leads. Fortunately, end-user attendance has been solid every year.
Secondly, more so than EXHIBITOR, TS2 is our opportunity to connect with many of the Custom Houses that represent Classic Exhibits and ClassicMODUL. Why TS2 more than at EXHIBITOR? Location. Historically, the show has been in DC, Philly, Chicago, and now Boston. Locations rich with Custom Builders that use Classic Exhibits for their smaller system needs as well as ClassicMODUL for their aluminum extrusion builds.
If you are considering attending, we have free passes to the show this year. Just click on this link to download an application. The pass gets you into the exhibit hall, the block party, and the mixer.
At TS2, we will have an exciting 20′ x 20′ that will show lots of large fabric graphics using the new TSP aluminum extrusion profiles that accept Silicone Edge Graphics (SEG). Its a really beautiful design in my opinion.
Lastly, let me say that as the TS2 EAC Committee Chair, I and the rest of the EAC members are working diligently with Show Management to restore the show to the position where it truly was “The Tradeshow for Tradeshows!”
I look forward to seeing you in Boston from July 13-15. If you would like one-on-one meetings with Mel White, Reid Sherwood, Jim Shelman, or me, please let us know soon. We are scheduling appointments, and available time slots tend to fill fast.
Hope you all have (had) a great Memorial Day weekend.
–Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a
Word on the Street by Kevin Carty
Ten Reasons I’m Glad It’s 2010
Happy New Year! I hope you had a joyous and safe celebration with your family and friends.
I don’t know about you, but I am not a big one for New Year’s Resolutions. Nothing against those of you who do make resolutions, but mine are usually broken by January 4.
I am, however, very hopeful and excited as we step into 2010.
10 Reasons:
#1 – As mentioned by several people at the EDPA Conference in December, 2009 sucked! It can go nowhere but up from here. 🙂
#2 – As an industry, we seem more united than ever. That might sound strange to some, but with the advent of social media sites like LinkedIn, people seem to have an avenue to express concerns, issues, and successes more readily. And they are using it! If you follow the groups and discussions, you see that for the most part we all have the same goals to improve our industry. Even some of the most traditionally “taboo” topics are being discussed. Keep it up. Whether we agree or not is not really important . . . rather, what’s important is keeping the issues out in the open for discussion, learning, and change.
#3 – As a company, Classic Exhibits Inc. has deepened its relationships with customers throughout the tough times of 2009. Sometimes, when the going gets tough it causes strains on relationships. Last year, it proved to bond us together even tighter. When you are all in the same boat together, you might as well join together and find creative ways to trudge through it, making sure we all survive!
#4 – Product Development. Ours actually grew in 2009 and is poised and ready for 2010. We created several new products in 2009 — some that were entirely new, such as Sacagawea, as well as a bevy of new kits within our existing product lines such as Magellan Miracle and Magellan MOR.
#5 – New Products. As you will soon see, we are launching a new line in early 2010 (Segue). Stay tuned as we lauch this product in stages.
#6 – Classic’s Production Team. Many of you have heard me brag about our Production staff. They are incredible. Most of our core production employees celebrated their 10th year with Classic this past year. Ten Years! While I think that says a lot about Classic as company, more importantly, it gives me great comfort knowing that day in and day out that we have a crew of professional, dedicated, and quality-driven individuals producing our customer’s exhibits.
#7 – Shared Knowledge. We focused all year on collecting and collating important details of exhibits sold in the past as well as all exhibits sold in 2009. In return, if you look at Exhibit Design Search, you will see the benefits. Many of the kits shown now include links to the Set-ups, Graphic Dimensions, Set-up Videos, Photos, and much much more!
#8 – Rentals, Rentals, Rentals! Jim Shelman and his team continue to do an amazing job creating unique rental options that provide something for everyone and for every budget!
#9 – ClassicMODUL Connecticut Location. With a year under our belt (and a few bumps and bruises along the way), we are poised to service all your East Coast raw metal needs. Thanks to Tom Jones and his team for their continued dedication to refining this operation.
#10 – Customer Service and Project Management. Tim Hanley and our talented project managers spent their free time throughout 2009 focused on the “Shared Knowledge” theme. They worked on creating databases of CAD drawings, set-up instructions, and other details that will allow us to meet your day-to-day needs more efficiently.
In about two weeks I will release my annual State of the Company letter. It will highlight our plans and goals for 2010, reflect back on the lessons learned from 2009, and chart our plan of attack for 2010 from all levels — Production, Design, Customer Service, Marketing, and Sales.
What are you thoughts as we move into 2010? I would appreciate hearing your insights.
Have a safe and restful weekend!
–Kevin Carty
http://twitter.com/kevin_carty
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-carty/3/800/32a
