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Yub Nub: Word on the Street — Oct. 3rd thru Oct. 7th

October 9th, 2011 Mel White 2 COMMENTS
Yub Nub

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Ewokese

It’s the language of Ewoks of course. But that’s not really what I am hear to talk about. No! As many of you know, this past week we launched a new “Find Reid” contest. Last time we celebrated Reid’s love affair with the with the 60’s fro. This time we revealed a little more about our little fury friend that we have all come to love and respect. Seek the Sherwok . . . an endearing creature from the land of Newaygo.

The response has been nothing short of HILARIOUS. I thank many of you for your participation, and congratulate those who found our furry friend hidden in Exhibit Design Search.

But the comments. Oh the comments I have received are what really made my week. So I thought, how about a contest within a contest?!?

Here is the deal. I will award a prize to the best comment related to The Sherwok. Please email me your funniest witticism regarding our lovable little warrior and defender of all things good. Feel free to tap into your “Dark Side” when responding.

To get you started, I will share the leader in the clubhouse so far . . . From Troy Stover at FB Design and Displays.

“I just can’t believe you got him to pose in the nude!”

Now you get the idea. Please weigh in this week. I will consider all entries through Friday October 14. And please email them directly to me at kevin@classicexhibits.com

The winner will receive a very cool and unique prize package I am putting together.

In the meantime, many of us know Reid to be a huge Jimmy Buffett fan. But few know that what exactly it is that he seems to be humming throughout the day as he goes about his work. Well, I have uncovered it. It’s called the Yub Nub celebration song:

Ewok Karaoke from Rob Tyler on Vimeo.

Have a great weekend! May the force be with you.

–Kevin Carty

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

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Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic: Word on the Street — Sept. 19th thru Sept. 23rd

September 23rd, 2011 Mel White COMMENTS
The Industry Gives Back

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

The Industry Gives Back

The Randy Smith Memorial Golf Classic — October 10, 2011 at St. Ives Country Club in Johns Creek, GA

Every October, our industry pulls together to raise money for those struck by tragedy, illness, and/or the loss of industry colleagues.

For the industry, this year will be no different. But for Classic Exhibits and its family of companies and employees, it will be different. One of our own is a beneficiary. Mike Swartout, our Director of Design, who is battling Stage 4 cancer.  Please read about all the recipients at the following website: http://rsmgc.org/RSMGC/www.rsmgc.org/Recipients/.

Here is the listing for Mike.

Mike Swartout

Mike Swartout

Mike has served as the Director of Design for Classic Exhibits since 2000. His efforts have been instrumental in Classic’s design leadership in modular, hybrid and custom exhibits. More than two years ago, Mike was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer. He has undergone several courses of radiation and chemotherapy. Many of the therapies that Mike has endured have been experimental in the hopes that the results will benefit future victims of this disease and increase their odds of survival. To those who work with him every day and to those who will benefit from the research, we are inspired by Mike’s courage, strength, and generosity.

Mike’s medical expenses during the past two years have created a severe financial hardship for him, his wife Janet, and his family.  On top of that, Mike does not have life insurance, which further imperils Janet’s financial future once Mike is gone.

Mike continues to work every day, and his dedication to Classic distributors is inspiring. There is rarely a day that Mike’s creativity and problem solving doesn’t contribute to the success of someone in the Classic Exhibits family.

Reid Sherwood and I are teaming up for the 11th year running with Cindi Cody (Xzibits) and Bill Glasser (Exhibit Concepts) to play in the tournament and to raise funds for the recipients.

While all the golf slots are filled, there are tons of opportunities for companies to sponsor and donate whether you want to attend or not. The following link will allow you to donate and/or sponsor the event if you would like:  http://rsmgc.org/RSMGC/www.rsmgc.org/Sponsors/Sponsor_Registration/

Sponsorship opportunities range from $95 – $5000 are available if you are interested.

Volunteers are always needed if you are interested in coming to event but not as a golfer. Please contact Jim Wurm at jim@eaca.com if you are interested in volunteering.

As you many of you already know, for Reid and me, this is our favorite event of the year. Not only is it fun and a chance to see industry friends, but more importantly, it highlights what we all love about our industry: the generosity of our industry and peers and how quickly we come together to help others in their time of need. We want to celebrate the lives of those who have given so much to the industry we love.

Hope to see many of you there.

Kevin Carty

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

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Looking for a Deal is Easy . . .

February 18th, 2011 Mel White COMMENTS
Shooting from the Hip (trade show tips)

Shooting from the Hip by Reid Sherwood

Well, after last week’s sales calls, I decided that all anybody wants to talk about is price. The price of EVERYTHING. Not just trade show exhibits, but everyone is looking for a deal. Looking for a deal is easy, because there is always someone or something cheaper. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it is equal. Just cheaper.

I had a handful of appointments where the conversations went something like this, “Hey, we just had you guys quote a project, and you were 8 percent less than Brand Z so you are getting the job.” Or maybe like this, “I had you quote three different designs, and you were less expensive on two and more on one.” Then you hear, “I love your new Sacagawea designs because they are so well made AND affordable.” That gives you a little hope that design matters and so does quality. That statement is followed up with, “All your stuff is too expensive.” So, if you are doing market research (and I am not), you come away with your head spinning.

What Really Matters to People Anymore?

Do you ever buy on quality? Has the Wal-Mart mentality totally consumed us? When I see a retractable banner stand for $99, including the graphic, I wonder how long before it breaks, and you have to replace it. If a distributor is selling it, how can you afford to service something that was only a hundred bucks to begin with?

Cheaper than Cheaper?

Cheaper than Cheaper?

We did a little exercise when I worked at Optima Graphics that went something like this. Name 10 things that you buy on price alone. Well it was obvious after a few minutes that price is rarely the only factor. Gas, bread and milk became the three “locks” where price was the driving force. But even as you stop to rationalize, you find that you aren’t going to buy your milk for 2.49 a gallon at convenience store A, and then your fuel at convenience store B, even though the gas is 2 cents a gallon cheaper at B. Convenience and your time plays a factor in buying.

Sometimes buying is easier at one place even if you are paying a little more than making the more difficult purchase at cheapoworld.com. So, are you going to follow that path of least resistance or are you going to put forth some effort to save money?

Just for conversation’s sake, here are some things that I spend more on than what some would call reasonable:

  • Car Repair – Not labor, but on any parts. I usually spend the longer dollar since typically you get a much better warranty.
  • Hunting Equipment – One of my hobbies. I use the equipment hard, expect it to last, therefore I pay more and get more.
  • Shoes – Hey, they are my feet. I want them happy.
  • Clothes – Because of all the travel I do, I expect them to hold up and last.

Here are some things I WON’T spend extra on and try to buy the cheapest available:

  • Reading Glasses – I lose them. Often. So I try to buy them at a dollar store and buy 10 pairs.
  • Phone and Computer Charging Cords – I either lose them or they break. I think they are made to fail. It has been quite a while since I bought any since every rental car center and every hotel has a box of charging cords you can sift through and find your style.
  • Bottled Water – I would buy FIJI, which is expensive, but it is in a square bottle and doesn’t fit in a single drink holder I have ever seen. So I buy whatever is cheap and round.

That is enough to get the conversation rolling I hope. Hope you all have projects closing. That makes everyone happy.

Till the next time,

Reid Sherwood
reid@classicmodul.com

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Shooting from the Hip — 15.10 (I am Thankful)

November 24th, 2010 Mel White COMMENTS
Shooting from the Hip (trade show tips)

Shooting from the Hip by Reid Sherwood

Things for Which I am Thankful

It has been a few weeks since my last blog post. It wasn’t that I didn’t have anything to say, but I didn’t have anything to say that mattered. Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I will reflect a bit on those things for which I am truly thankful. These are in no particular order except the last one.

I am thankful for volunteer firefighters — Many of you know the Sherwood clan had house fires in both October of 2008 and 2009. Nobody was hurt. We are grateful. Last Monday, our garage  burned to the ground. Right now, we are a bit shell-shocked and  scared to death of fire. But because of the quick work of a small volunteer department, the house was saved with only cosmetic damages.

I am thankful for freedom — Our school in town just re-dedicated a plaque to the students from Newaygo High School who served in WWII. A few of the veterans were there for the ceremony, and seeing them made the ultimate sacrifice paid by so many much more tangible. It was a time to reflect and remember why we have what we have.

I am thankful for my job — I am not looking for a raise. I am not even trying to blow any smoke/sunshine up anyone’s skirt. I am simply being honest.  Classic Exhibits has been very good to me. We have a culture in the office/shop that is very friendly. There are no self-serving egos. There are just a bunch of people with a common goal:  Enjoy your job so it is not really like working.  Mel, Kevin, and Roy – Thanks a million!

I am thankful for my customers — Many of the people we deal with every day at Classic are people I have been associated with for 15 or 20 years. We have watched our industry change drastically in the past 20-some years. What hasn’t changed is how we enjoy our time together.

I am thankful for the things I have been able to see and do — A little country guy from NW Michigan normally doesn’t have the luck I have had (excluding the fires). I have been to some of the world’s greatest stadiums, concert venues, and restaurants. I have had the fortune of watching the sun set at Mallory Square several times. I have eaten in Emeril’s kitchen in New Orleans. I have had a cocktail with Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, and Charles Barkley. I saw Jack Morris pitch a no-hitter against the White Sox in 1984. To some people these things mean nothing . . . to me . . . they are everything.

I am thankful for the little town I grew up in — Many of you who read this will understand. Newaygo has been so good to my family for a hundred years. It was good to my grandfather. It was good to my father. And it has been good to me. It has been a great place to grow up, go to school, raise your kids. I love this place.

I am thankful for my parents — Everything that is good and right in my life I owe to my parents. Everything that is wrong is because I didn’t listen to them.

I am thankful for my friends — They make the good times better and the not so good times a lot more palatable. I am going to name just a few: Ron A., Kevin C., Dave B., Gina P., Scott L., Scott B., Cindi C., Richie, and Raytard.

I am thankful for my family — I make more family jokes than most stand up comic . . . but they are jokes. I can’t possibly love them any more than I do. My wife is a saint. You may find this hard to believe, but I am not the dream to live with you might think. Thanks to all.

Ultimately – I am grateful for so many things. The list could to on and  on.

Have a great Thanksgiving and we will see you again Monday.

Until the next time,

–Reid Sherwood
reid@classicmodul.com

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Shooting from the Hip — 1.10

April 29th, 2010 Mel White COMMENTS
Shooting from the Hip (trade show tips)

Shooting from the Hip

Starting this week, you will see a weekly blog posting from me, typically not more than a paragraph or two (or three). Look for it on Wednesday or Thursday.

I intend to write about the ups and downs (hopefully more ups) of our customers and share their success stories. Since failure is not an option, I won’t give credence (not Clearwater Revival) to anyone’s misfortune. And yes, there will be things blogged here that have no relevance to the exhibit industry. There will be travel tips. There will be hunting and fishing updates. But mostly, it will be about the trade show life we have chosen for our careers.

Interestingly enough, for late April almost May, there is a fair amount of business activity.  It seems like companies have neglected their trade show marketing long enough, and we’re seeing more orders and quotes. I am not talking about fantasyland 20 x 20 islands with a $4500 budget and a lot of backlit graphics. I am talking about 10 x 20 inlines with $35k budgets. Hugh Baldus from The Baldus Company actually closed one of those last week with a SIX WEEK LEAD TIME.  I’m hearing about an order for multiple Perfect 10 Displays. Portable hybrids being sung in any tune has a nice ring to it, and Scott Lindsay from The Lindsay Exhibit Group is singing that song. Conversations with distributors are happy for a change. It isn’t all doom and gloom.

The steelhead are still in the river.  The grouse are drumming in the evening.  Spring is in the air.  Until next week . . .

–Reid Sherwood
reid@classicmodul.com

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