Trade Show TalesBlog

Posts Tagged ‘Events’

Apple iPad and Tablet PC Options for Trade Shows

August 4th, 2012 3 COMMENTS
Apple iPad

Apple iPad

Apple iPad and Tablet PC Ideas

Back in late 90’s, Geoffery A. Moore wrote Crossing the Chasm, a book that explained how many high-tech products are purchased by early adopters. After the early adoption phase, a lull occurs before mainstream buyers purchase them — but when they do, sales skyrocket.

For some products, this “lull” barely exists. The Apple iPad is a great example. We saw few requests for iPad stands with version 1 and 2, but now that version 3 has hit the market, we’re seeing a dramatic upswing in activity. We expect this trend to continue as more customers want iPads or tablet PCs incorporated into their trade show displays. Make no mistake. Your customers expect that you already have iPad solutions for their display. I emphasize “solutions” because there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach.

At Classic Exhibits, we are looking at multiple options for trade shows and events.

I thought I’d share five examples. These are intended for iPads, since Apple is the first mover in this market right now, and we’re only getting iPad requests. But the concepts can be adapted to PC tablets once we see more of them.

iPad Counter Insert (MOD-211)

This insert fits in most Classic Exhibits counters and pedestals, assuming the counter top is large enough. The iPad installs underneath the counter top without tools in under a minute. Once installed, it’s secure, seamless, and practical. The MOD-211, an inexpensive and impressive addition to any counter, workstation, or pedestal. $295 retail

MOD-211 iPad Counter Insert

MOD-211 iPad Counter Insert

iPad Portable Kiosk (MOD-1312 and MOD-1314)

This one is a slam dunk. The Classic iPad Kiosk is durable, affordable, and secure. It’s perfect for trade shows, retail applications, events, or anywhere there’s a need for a portable iPad application. The steel and aluminum kiosk comes with a locking clamshell lid, wire management, and a 4-plug outlet. Choose from a silver or black version, both powder-coated.  Its lightweight construction makes it the ideal accessory when your customer wants convenience and security at an attractive price. See MOD-1320, MOD-1321, MOD-1322, MOD-1324, and ZB-221 for Accessory Options. $495 retail

iPad Kiosk

iPad Portable Kiosks (MOD-1332, MOD-1333, and MOD-1334)

Let’s not mix words, the sleek Port\Land iPad Kiosks are stunning — graceful, elegant, and lightweight. But don’t let their supermodel looks fool you.  The engineered aluminum construction is designed to withstand the most grueling trade show or event schedule. The locking clamshell frame fits iPad 2 and 3 and includes the innovative Swivel Stop feature for an effortless transition from portrait to landscape mode. All three models, including the MOD-1334 with two Clamshell Frames, assemble easily and pack in the TF-700 or TF-701 fabric cases.

iPad Clamshell Extrusion Connection (MOD-1316)

We’re surprised no one else thought of this yet, but, we’re awfully glad we did. The MOD-1316 enables you to attach one, two, or multiple iPads, in a secure clamshell with locks, to engineered extrusions like MODUL and AGAM. The iPad clamshell case locks into the groove of the extrusion using a hex key. One turn and you have a convenient and adjustable iPad on your counter, backwall, or island upright. Very smart. The MOD-1316 comes in silver (powder-coated aluminum). $129 retail

MOD-1316 iPad Extrusion Attachment

iPad Extrusion Attachment

iPad Frame/Stand

The iPad Frame/Stand is constructed with MODUL aluminum extrusion and connects securely to the counter. Although it doesn’t work with every Classic counter and workstation, it can be adapted to fit many standard kits. The extrusion includes a plastic insert to protect the iPad from scratches. Pretty nifty! Plus, tThere are hundreds of powder coat and anodized color choices.

iPad Frame

iPad Frame/Stand

iPad Frame/Stand

iPad Frame/Stand

iPad Kiosk (MOD-1276)

There’s probably no more attractive or practical iPad kiosk anywhere than the MOD-1276. The modular construction consists of engineered aluminum extrusion, a laminate base, and a MODUL clear-coat aluminum frame. The power cord feeds through the vertical support and base. $825 retail

MOD-1276 iPad Kiosk

We’d enjoy hearing your thoughts about these iPad options from Classic Exhibits, and we’d love to hear your ideas about iPad fixtures for trade shows and events. Send us an email or comment via this post. What have you seen?

Update:  Tim Patterson at Tradeshow Guy blog writes about the Exploding iPad Use at Tradeshows and how they are being used. Great post with lots of links.

–Mel White
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
mel@classicexhibits.com

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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.

The Professor of Social Media for Trade Shows and Events

June 1st, 2011 2 COMMENTS

Meet the Professor

Do you know just enough about Social Media to sound knowledgeable, but not knowledgeable enough to be a wiz bang expert? I’ve discovered that it’s very easy to get started, but getting to the next level can be more challenging unless you have a mentor. I do. His name is Tim Patterson at Interpretive Exhibits. Tim manages and contributes to the, www.tradeshowguy.com blog which tends to focus on social media issues, tips, tricks, and trends for the event and trade show industry.

For example, here are some recent postings on Trade Show Guy (Where Social Media and Event Marketing Collide):

That’s just going back three months (March 2011)! As a fellow blogger, I am consistently impressed by the depth, the variety, and the sheer volume of information about social media and trade show marketing.

In addition to his posts, Tim offers several eBooks, including Social Media Marketing Bundle and 101 Rules of Trade Show Marketing, and a library of podcasts with trade show, event, and technology experts.

Need a Speaker or Trainer for Social Media Marketing for Tradeshows, Events or Conferences?

Tim Patterson, Social Media 102

Tim Patterson

Tim is available. He just recently spoke at the Event Marketing Summit in Chicago and was a featured speaker at the Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA) in December. In Tim’s own words,

“I truly enjoy getting up in front of your group to talk, teach and discuss a lot of things related to tradeshow marketing: social media, staff training, event marketing, booth design, and other elements of tradeshow marketing. I’m available as a speaker in a breakout session at a conference, or as a panelist, or as a seminar leader/speaker/trainer for private engagements.”

If you are interested in stepping up your game in social media or trade show marketing, I encourage you to visit www.tradeshowguy.com and signup for Tim’s newsletter and/or be a fellow Tweeter.

At the very least, put his website in your Favorites and visit it at least a once a week. Tim’s an information machine . . . miss a week and you miss a lot.

–Mel White
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melmwhite
mel@classicexhibits.com

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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.

Why I Attend Trade Shows — Love on Aisle #600

May 21st, 2011 8 COMMENTS
Love on Aisle #600 -- Trade Shows and Events

Love on Aisle #600 -- Trade Shows and Events

Shame. Shame, Shame. Get your mind out of the gutter. This is neither a steamy romance nor an even steamier fantasy. This is about the love of trade shows and why you, me, or anyone else attends them.

Over the years, I’ve read more articles than I’d care to admit about why trade shows are important, why exhibit marketing is effective, and why we MUST attend them. They make sense, in the same way that taking vitamins makes sense. On some level you know it can’t hurt and it’s good for you, even if you can’t always measure the results. I could give you the typical sales and marketing reasons to attend, but I won’t. Instead, I’ll share nine reasons why I attend trade shows. It may not be as informative, but it will be a lot more interesting.

Reason #1: I have to. I work for a trade show exhibit designer and manufacturer. Even worse, I co-manage the business so I can’t even pretend to hate trade shows, even if I did. Which I don’t. (Just in case my boss reads this, let me repeat, “I enjoy attending trade shows!”)

Reason #2: I get to see family, friends, and acquaintances. That’s a big deal to me. Until about two years ago, my brother lived in Las Vegas. Attending a trade show in Vegas was an excuse to see my brother. When TS2 was in Philadelphia, I had dinner with my old college roommate. Mostly, I get to see colleagues and industry suppliers whom I’ve known for years. Since I don’t travel quite as much as I used to, the shows are an excuse to chat about business and politics, to have a drink or two, and to gossip, learn, and enjoy.

Red vs. Blue

Reason #3: Competitors. They are there, just like you, with the latest and greatest. Even if you don’t get to see all the whiz-bang cool stuff, you get a sense of what direction they are headed. Are they moving upstream? Downstream? Are they investing in R&D? Who’s hanging out in their booth this year? Who’s not? I never understand why companies forbid their employees from chatting with competitors. Obviously, you have to be smart about what you do or do not share, but from my experience, most competitors are friendly, and the stories, observations, and lies you share are at worse harmless and at best enlightening. And to those not so friendly competitors . . . your paranoia will shorten your life by about 10 years.

Reason #4: I love walking the show floor because there are so many folks with encyclopedic knowledge about an industry. I attended my first trade show in 1994, about a month after starting as the marketing director for an exhibit manufacturer. The owner, a man who knew everyone at the show, introduced me to what seemed like hundreds of people. As we walked the show, he shared his knowledge about the industry, the history of the various companies, and the benefits and features of the products. What I learned by walking the show, both on my own and with him, compressed my learning curve by a good year. I could have never gotten the same information without attending the show.

Reason #5: Ink pens. My wife is a writer. She loves pens, all kinds of pens, but mostly fat pens. I score major points whenever I bring home 3-4 cheap trade show pens, especially if they have some kind of gimmick (and are fat).

Reason #6: Trade shows are an amazing buffet of new ideas. How can you not be impressed by the collective creativity? Whether it’s EuroShop in Germany or the local Business-to-Business show by the Chamber, I always discover new products, services, presentations, trinkets, and people. Even if I’m not looking for something specific, I usually find something worth pursuing after the show that will benefit our business or our customers. Would a virtual trade show offer the same experience? Perhaps, but I doubt it.

Reason #7: Customers. Trade shows are a lot like annual employee performance reviews. There should be no surprises, unless they’re positive. If you dread attending your annual industry trade show because of customer complaints, then your company is in serious trouble. I attend for just the opposite reason. Like Reason #2, I really enjoy meeting customers, talking about their businesses, learning about the challenges in their markets, and hearing about their lives. I know it’s a cliché, but shaking someone’s hand and looking them in the eye changes everything. Sure there may be a negative here and there, but it’s mostly all positive. Over the years, I can only count a few times, working with various companies, that I haven’t left a show feeling upbeat.

What? No Sewing Kit!

Reason #8: Hotel/Motel Toiletries. Actually, I don’t really care about the shampoo or the conditioner, but I hoard the little soaps. I am cheap, but that’s not the reason. I can’t stand the liquid soap at the gym where I am a member, and over the years I’ve probably left over a 100 bars of soap at the gym because I’m absent-minded. The mini-motel soaps are perfect. I don’t care if I leave them, and I don’t care about the brand.

Reason #9: Potential Customers. Next to chatting with existing customers, potential customers are my favorite reason to participate in trade shows. You get to see your company and your booth through their eyes. Is your product and service relevant to them? What interests them? What have they seen at the show that appeals to them? What does the future hold for them? For you? Far too many exhibitors are simply carnival barkers with more teeth and less visible tattoos. They want to close the sale, not create a relationship. That’s unfortunate because no one wants to be assaulted at a show. “Listen and Learn” is my mantra at every show.

Reason #10: For purely selfish reasons, I need a #10 to complete the list. Please take a moment and share your reason for attending/participating in trade shows. Why do you love to stroll down Aisle #600?

— Mel White

Additional Blog Entries:
10 Quick Tips for Any Trade Show Novice
Trade Shows as First Dates

Aero Portable Table Top Display — Setup Video

March 2nd, 2010 COMMENTS

This creative video by Mike Swartout, the Classic Design Director, shows how the Aero Table Top assembles. Every Aero Table Top assembles with push-button connectors. The lightweight aluminum frames are then wrapped in tension fabric graphics.

Aero Table Top Displays are designed to be beautiful, adaptable, and recognizable, whether it’s for a trade show or special event. Choose from 14 imaginative designs such as the TF-404, TF-407, TF-411, and TF-414. Aero Displays are economical to own, simple to assemble, and easy to maintain.

To see the full line of Aero Table Top designs, visit http://www.classicexhibits.com/aero-table-top-displays.

To see the video on YouTube, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqx9lLP_3ck&fmt=18.

Aero Overhead Hanging Signs — Setup Animation Video

January 11th, 2010 COMMENTS

This one minute animation of the Aero Pinwheel shows how Aero Overhead Hanging Signs assemble. Every Aero Overhead Hanging Sign assembles with push-button connectors, and then the lightweight Aero aluminum frames are wrapped in tension fabric graphics.

Aero Overhead Hanging Signs are designed to be beautiful, adaptable, and recognizable, whether it’s for a trade show or special event. Choose from 21 stock structures—rounds, squares, pinwheels, rectangles, and triangles—or design a custom shape that communicates your unique message. Aero Overhead Hanging Signs are economical to own, simple to assemble, and easy to maintain.

To see the full line of Aero Overhead designs, visit www.classicexhibits.com and click on the Exhibit Design Search menu.

To see the video on YouTube, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1Q2MO0ga4Y&fmt=18.