Returning home from our Spring/Summer session of Shared Knowledge University, I was struck by a quote from the airline magazine. It was an article on food. This particular restaurateur, when asked about the time and preparation that goes into making food for his customers, was quoted as saying, “We want to engage in life, not just a transaction.” Whoa! After spending two days engaging with an exceptional group of exhibit house and strategic partners, I couldn’t have described the experience any better myself.
It brings to mind something that I am often asked about, “What makes Classic Exhibits different?” It’s my opportunity to speak about our culture of sharing and creating. Sharing our innovation and production capabilities to help your clients engage their audience on the trade show floor is a primary focus for us. It’s never about rolling up to bin A12 and pulling a complete 10×10, 10×20, or island exhibit design off the shelf and sending it off to Las Vegas or Chicago. It’s about choices. Laminate, graphics, monitors, hanging signs, charging tables. The list for design and engagement opportunities goes on. I think we are hitting our stride in that way. The options for creating and building a design are vast. Helping our partners do this consistently, timely, and at a fair price is what we strive for.
Are there transactions involved? Sure there are! But we have the ability and I dare say the responsibility about making it so much more than “Show me the money!”
I can’t thank our partners enough for taking time out of their busy worlds to join us for SKU. It’s validating to say the least to have a group nod their heads and say, “Wow! This is exactly what you said it would be.” And to all of our partners who have yet to experience a Shared Knowledge University session… the November SKU is just around the corner! No seriously! It is!
Our sincere thanks to everyone who attended and participated in Shared Knowledge University. Wishing you much success in 2018.
Earn Your Exhibit Baccalaureate Degree in Two Days
Register today for SKU. Space is limited and available slots ALWAYS FILL FAST. We look forward to seeing you in Portland, OR on June 21-22. Plan to stay an extra day or two and enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
See the video and the flyer below for more information about Classic’s Shared Knowledge University. Contact Jen Labruzza to register.
In this video, Kevin shares his thoughts about fall business, Shared Knowledge University, Classic Rental Systems, and EDPA Access (in late November). It’s been an exciting fall season at Classic Exhibits with increased orders and a HUGE bump in custom builds.
A sincere thanks to the Classic Distributor Network for trusting us with your orders. It’s very much appreciated. See the video below for your complete update.
To view recent projects, go to Past Five Days in Exhibit Design Search.
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Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, hybrid, and custom 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.
“Time is money” is one way to explain the concept of Opportunity Cost. It means time is a valuable resource (because our time in this world is finite), so it’s better to ensure your time is spent wisely.
Earlier today, a Classic Distributor asked me why they should attend Shared Knowledge University on June 12-13. Honestly, I had to think about it since I’ve never been asked that before. Which is a little odd admittedly. So, why should you (or any distributor) spend two days attending Classic’s comprehensive training in Portland, OR?
Reason #1: Product Line Review
Do you understand the difference between Sacagawea, Magellan, Perfect 10, Visionary Designs, and SEGUE? All are portable or custom-hybrid displays, but each line has unique design, construction, and selling features. If you have ever stumbled when explaining to a potential client why they should purchase a Sacagawea vs. a SEGUE Sunrise, then you need to attend SKU. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg with our extensive hands-on review of the Classic and Eco-Systems product lines.
Reason #2: EDS
Exhibit Design Search is an amazing tool, one you may not be using to its full potential. In fact, other than your winning personality, My Gallery in EDS may be the single-most important feature to closing more sales. With My Gallery you share designs, trade show tip articles, and photos. Plus, I bet you didn’t know you can exchange design ideas in real-time. We’ll show you how at SKU (and so much more!).
Reason #3: Rentals
30-40% of your revenue should be rentals. Seriously. No other category is growing faster than rentals, and rental sales have the potential of making you more money and establishing stronger long-term relationships with your clients.
I suspect that no other exhibit manufacturer has a larger rental inventory than Classic Rental Solutions. We’ve been in the rental game since… well the beginning. We support a 200 distributor network with rental inlines, island, charging stations, counters, double-decks, lightboxes, etc. Discover the Lucrative World of Customized Rentals at Shared Knowledge University.
Reason #4: Gravitee One-Step
It’s not often you get to see the future. Gravitee One-Step is the future of modular wall solutions. At SKU, you will have extensive hands-on training on Gravitee components, designs, and selling tips. New orders, where appropriate, are built with Gravitee panels, whether straight, curved, SEG fabric, or direct prints. Just this week, Adam Gilles from ELITeXPO told us:
“The client loved their new Gravitee booth! They do a high volume of shows every year and liked how easy it was to set up the Gravitee panels. They are thinking of purchasing a few more of the 10 ft sections so they will be able to spread the ease of set up to their sales representatives across the world.”
Reason #5: Classic Distributors
Time after time, Classic Distributors rave about the time they spend with fellow distributors (both sober and inebriated). In our small industry, there are too few opportunities to tell stories, ask questions, and seek advice from your trade show industry colleagues. SKU always seems to bring out the best in folks who want to share what works, what doesn’t, and where they are headed. We’ve always felt that Classic Distributors are a community and previous Shared Knowledge University sessions have proven that collectively we are a smart and formidable team.
Reason #6: Food, Fun, and Festivities
We treat you like royalty while you are here. Portland is a foodie town, and we ensure you experience all its gastronomical glory. From food carts to brew pubs, you’ll see why Portland deserves its reputation as the crossroad of culinary creativity. Our food jaunts will take you into several fascinating neighborhoods including the Pearl District in DT Portland where you’ll see more “man-buns” per capita than anywhere else in North America. AND, if you are good, very good, you may even get to experience a Voodoo Doughnut.
Reason #7: Classic Employees
We may not be celebrities, but that doesn’t mean we are not stars. Meet the irrepressible Tony Bennett, the guru of web and EDS design. Shake hands with Bob Buehl, the elder statesman of project managers (he will kill me when he reads that). Share show floor stories with James Sharpe, our rental manager, and then after a few beers ask to see his calves (freakishly muscular). You’ll meet the Classic “K” Design Team: Katina, Kim, and Kevin. Talk shop with Jim Ponomarkenko, our Production and Engineering Manager. And so much more…..
We look forward to seeing you at SKU on June 12-13.
For details about attending Shared Knowledge University, contact Jen LaBruzza, Classic’s National Sales Manager (jen@classicexhibits.com).
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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.
Quit pretending. You want to attend Shared Knowledge University (SKU). You know it. We know it. Heck, your colleagues are sick and tired of hearing you talk about it. Just do it! (as another much more famous Portland company would say).
Will you learn a lot? Yes. Will it be exhausting? Yes. Will you want to leave Portland on Wednesday morning? No. But as former SKU graduates have discovered, we’re going to take your sorry, broken, hypnotized, and dehydrated body to the airport whether you want to leave or not.
Space is limited and openings fill fast. Contact Jen LaBruzza (jen@classicexhibits.com) to reserve your spot on June 12-13 (Monday and Tuesday). Embrace your chance to add the SKU logo to your LinkedIn profile.
Click on the image below to view the happy SKU video.
