For years, you asked us to create a Symphony Portable Display Demo… and we resisted. Here’s why:
How do we show you the simple tool-less connections?
The 8 frame shapes?
The 20+ accessories, including 8 portable counters?
The reusable packaging, numbered components, and detailed instructions?
The SEG engineered aluminum structure?
We can’t. Yet, despite our stubbornness, Symphony has become the most successful new product in Classic’s 30-year history.
You win. We designed a Traveling Symphony Display. Actually two, which are available by request from Gina Porcaro or Harold Mintz. These show how Symphony assembles, how accessories connect, and how the floating graphic attaches. The single and double-sided version packs in one roto-molded case.
Discover why Symphony isn’t just another portable display. It’s The Professional Portable!
For 30 years, Classic Exhibits has been designing and building creative custom solutions for our Distributor Partners and their clients. As North America’s largest private-label exhibit manufacturer, we have the unmatched capability, capacity, and creativity to create 3D projects ranging from 10 x 10 inline displays to 60 x 80 double-deck islands.
I trust and hope that you had a great holiday season. We did… and we are excited for 2023!
2023 represents Classic’s 30th year
as an exhibit designer and manufacturer. Somehow, we made it to
30 despite multiple recessions, a tech crash, 9/11, and COVID. I’m probably
forgetting some other catastrophes along the way but who can keep count. We’ll
be celebrating a bit later in the year, including at EXHIBITORLIVE in
April, and we hope you will join our festivities.
But first, some thoughts on the past year or two.
2022 in Review
2022 was the exhibit industry’s rebound year. In basketball
terms, an effective rebound starts with “boxing-out” your opponent. We spent much of the year “boxing-out” a host
of challenges.
Challenges ranging from supply chain woes that were ever
present in the first two quarters of 2022 to exhibitors bound and determined to
participate in as many shows as possible. The result was controlled chaos. For
all.
By early July, the pricing and supply chain woes were
manageable. Are we back to pre-pandemic scenarios? NO… and we likely never will
be. BUT the “new” norm has settled in for the most part with more predictable costs,
quotes, and turn times.
The one challenge that still exists is finding and hiring
qualified employees. While it’s getting better, the jar lid did not loosen
until late Q3. Thankfully, that’s improving week by week(for reasons no one fully understands).
SALES: Grumbling
aside, 2022 was a record year for Classic Exhibits. But it wasn’t easy. The project
mix was staggering. We built FAR MORE large custom wood exhibits than in any previous
year. All while seeing a healthy increase in kit inlines and islands. Why? Exhibitors
were eager to return to trade shows and events. And they wanted to make as BIG of
a splash as possible.
Especially after the failure of virtual shows. Mind you, we were grateful for every
order.
Some Classic Specifics
We added nearly 30 new employees last year. And by “new” I
mean new to Classic and new to our industry. We are grateful to have
them in the family and excited to see their progress in their positions. And there
are more coming as we expand our production capability.
A few months ago, we returned to shorter, more predictable
lead times. The kits in EDS are now listed as ranges. Those ranges are there
for very practical reasons. It allows us to provide you with a shipping date
based on your PO and our current production schedule. This has been a welcome change
to many distributors, and we appreciate your comments.
What’s Coming in 2023? A Lot!
Q1 will be much like all of 2022. Lots of orders! However,
the trade show calendar should return to its pre-pandemic cadence by Q2 with
the normal ebbs and flows industry veterans expect. This should be a welcome
sign, allowing everyone to catch their breath and refine internal processes. Plus,
an exciting new product launch, but you’ll have to wait for more news about
that.
After the uptick in large custom builds in 2022, I expect
fewer over-the-top projects this year. And not for negative reasons. Simply
put, what was built in 2022 will be used in 2023. Instead, our Q1 plate filling with Symphony and Sacagawea
kits, lightboxes upon lightboxes, and LOTS of 20 x 20 to 30 x 40 modified islands using Gravitee Modular
Panels. We are also already seeing orders for additions/modifications to the
large custom booths we built last year.
Classic Exhibits will be introducing a new cloud-based ERP/CRM system in Q1. We are currently still in the testing stages and will be moving into the broader training phases through January with an expected launch in February. Once live, this will give our Distributor Partners something they have long been asking for, namely the ability to combine Rental and Purchase builds on one order with one PM. Along with that, the data metrics and analytic tools we have built into this new system will allow us to parse and share more immediate data with our internal production, customer service, and sales teams.
Classic will be purchasing new cameras for Peek-A-Booth, our online staging area cameras. The new cameras and software will come online sometime before Q2 2023. This will give you and your clients an even better, more immediate, peek into your Classic projects as they are being assembled.
Rental Island Exhibit
Classic Rental Solutions continues to thrive and grow. Not just in sales, but in the depth of their product offerings and services. 2022 was a banner year for CRS. 2023 is already off to a stellar start with a projected record Q1. This may also be a sign of how/where client spending is headed as customers weigh the possibility of a recession and its effects on their industry.
EXHIBITORLIVE 2022 and 2023 (in Louisville)
EXHIBITORLIVE is moving! THIS year’s event will be in
Louisville. Personally, I love the change. Not because of Louisville per se,
but because OUR industry show needed a change of scenery. Based on the size of
the show, I hope the EXHIBITOR Media Group continues to look at other similar
size markets for future events. Pricing is another reason. The rates for shows
in Vegas have gone up significantly and will continue to rise. The opportunity
to “take the show on the road,” if handled well, will provide a fresh
perspective and perhaps a new and growing audience.
Join The Exhibitor Advocate
If you have not heard about The Exhibitor Advocate, please visit their website: www.exhibitoradvocacy.com, Then join their mailing list (no cost), and consider making a donation. The Exhibitor Advocate, an organization led by Jessica Sibila and supported by an outstanding Board of Directors, is long overdue. Their goal is to advocate for exhibitor rights and provide hands-on assistance, with things like surprise billings and show floor service issues.
If we’ve learned anything over the years, meaningful change in our industry will only happen when exhibitors assert their rights. The Exhibitor Advocate is the right tool at the right time to make that happen. Please encourage your clients to join as well. It’s a win-win for both you and your client.
Shared Knowledge University is Back!
Shared Knowledge University
In November, we held our first Shared Knowledge University since 2019. And it was just what the doctor ordered. We hosted 35 Distributor and Vendor Partners in Portland for two full days of training. It was incredible.
We will be hosting two SKUs in 2023! The first will be in
June. Contact Jen, Tom, or Harold if you are interested. Seats fill FAST.
Awards and Other Cool Stuff
We were happy to be recognized by the industry in 2022, starting with a Find-It Top 40 Award at EXHIBITORLIVE. We also won the People’s Choice Award for the Slate Island rental project.
Katina Rigall-Zipay, our Creative Director, won the Star Award
from FIT. This award recognized her outstanding service and commitment to the FIT
Graduate Degree Program in Exhibit Design.
Lastly, there is the EDDIE Award we received at EDPA 2022 in San Antonio. This one was special. The award has historically been given to an outstanding Online or Multi-media campaign. But we were honored to win this award for our “Classic Conversations” outreach. The idea was to create a space where Classic Distributors and vendors could share ideas, struggles, and successes during and after the pandemic. Kudos to all who have participated in these ongoing conversations.
Are you interested in joining a Classic Conversations group? Let us know. We meet quarterly for an hour via Teams or Zoom. Contact Jen, Harold, or Tom for specifics. All exhibit industry roles are welcome — sales, marketing, design, production, etc. You will not be disappointed. Spending time with others in the industry is invaluable… and a lot of fun!
To all our Distributor Partner Family — THANK YOU. 2022 was
hard, and the struggle to bring an industry back to life is ongoing. YOU ALL
helped make the adjustment easier.
I often tell my friends and family the following, “Yes, we
do some really cool stuff. And it’s stressful even in the best of
circumstances. But it’s the people we get to walk this path with each and every
day that make it special. They are the reason we come to work each and every day.”
Thank you again for your ongoing support of our Classic
Family. Here’s to a prosperous 2023. I hope to see you soon.
Historically, Portable Counters and Pedestals have been the ugly stepchildren of trade show displays. Are they convenient, practical, and lightweight? Yes. Attractive and durable? Not so much. The pop-up case-to-counter conversion is the perfect example. It’s the textbook definition of a compromise. Not particularly stable. Storage is awkward at best. And the basic fabric or graphic wrap is often cheesy and cheap looking.
That’s not to say there aren’t excellent portable trade show counters and pedestals. Not just from Classic but from other suppliers as well. For example, the Symphony SYM-406, 407, and 408 series counters.
Why These Counters? Four Reasons:
First, they assemble without tools and pack in flat cases.
Second, they have locking storage, which is unusual for portable counters. Along with an internal shelf.
Third, the countertop is secure, meaning it can’t be removed without disengaging the internal spring connectors.
Finally, with the right branding, Symphony counters are not only beautiful but also a tasteful addition to any exhibit – portable, modular, or custom.
Do you agree? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Symphony Portable Counters | #1
Symphony Portable Counters | #2
Contact Us.
With over 200 Distributor Partners throughout North America, there’s a Classic representative close by. Contact us today whether you need a durable hand sanitizer stand built to last, a rental display guaranteed to attract trade show attendees or a lightbox with all the bells and whistles. We’re not just different. We’re better.
Save from $250 on 10 ft. kits to $500 on 20 ft. linear displays on the revolutionary Symphony Portable Display System. An upscale and elegant portable display at an affordable price.
Choose from 54 unique kits or create a design that showcases your marketing message. Valid until June 30, 2021.
With the uptick in business, you may be answering lots of questions about the new Symphony Portable Display. We’re answering a bunch of them too as exhibitors dip their toes back into the trade show display market.
This Symphony video, which is included with all the kits in EDS, addresses the most common questions, like assembly, graphics, accessories, and counter options. But not all. Below are some recent questions you’ve asked us. Feel free to call or email us on anything else.
Q1. Why are the floating graphics limited to 23″ x
23″ overall dimension?
It’s both a suggestion and a guideline. For example, a floating graphic on the left or right side would intrude into the adjacent booth if it was much larger than 23” . However, since the graphic attaches with hook and loop, there’s wiggle room to make it larger simply by adjusting it. If you decided to attach the floating graphic bracket to the top of the frame, then the dimension could be larger, like a typical header.
Q2. Do the wall sections connect or are they freestanding
sitting next to each other?
It depends on your design. The SYK-1020 has two half-arch frames next to one another. Those are attached using a frame connection clamp. The SYK-1022 on the other hand uses the same two frames but in the design they are layer, with one slightly in front of the other. In that case, there’s a third base plate in the middle (SYM-107).
Q3. What is the size limitation for monitors?
We recommend no larger than a 23” monitor on the left and right sides. Mostly because they would intrude into the adjacent booth. See SYK-1014 for example. You can have up to a 32” monitor where there’s vertical upright in the middle, such as SYK-1015. On the larger frames, like the arch, rectangle, and concave/convex, we suggest no more than a 42” or 45” monitor.
Could you go larger in some situations? Yes, it all depends
on the weight of the monitor, the backwall workstation counters, and the size
of the booth space.
SYK-2018
Q4. For a double-sided configuration, can you have monitors
in the center on both sides?
Yes, but one monitor would have to be slightly higher (or lower) than the other one. Or there would need to be hardware that allowed both monitor mounts to use the same holes in the vertical support.
Q5. Is there an easy solution to add LED strip accent lighting on the back of a frame to throw light onto one set back… light the right side of the exhibit for example?
Adding flexible LED tape light to the back of the extrusion is possible. We’ve done something similar on other narrow SEG frames. It creates a three to four-inch backlit halo. However, it’s not a standard option for Symphony.
Q6. Are there other surface color/appearance options for the
lockable counter, other than the light color shown?
Yes, there are hundreds of laminate options from Nevamar, Formica. Wilsonart, and Pionite. Lead times may vary depending on laminate availability. Plus, you can (and probably should) add vinyl graphics.
Q7. Can the exposed metal be powder coated?
Yes. There would be an upcharge depending on the size of the
kit and components.
Q8. Can you expand these kits to include backlit items but
still portable?
We have quite a few portable LED backlit designs in Exhibit Design Search, like the VK-1960. Those designs use a deeper aluminum extrusion than Symphony. At present, Symphony is not intended to be a backlit portable system.
However, we’ve built exhibits where SuperNova LED Lightboxes are combined with Symphony frames. For example, using a standard arch or rectangle Symphony frame in the middle with the workstation counters, monitor mounts, and literature trays, and then SuperNova lightboxes on either side.
Q9. To mix standard frame combinations not shown on EDS, do
we submit a design request or are there some guidelines for making other
combinations?
You don’t need to submit a design request. But you can. There
are seven frame shapes. Four are roughly 10 ft. and three are roughly 5 ft. You
simply need to mix and match the frame sizes to the overall size of the booth.
So, two 10 ft. frames for a 20 ft. booth or one 10 ft. frame and two 5 ft. frames.
Or four 5 ft. frames? When it comes to Symphony, tap into your inner designer.
Q10. Will the backwall stand with monitors but without
workstation counters?
Absolutely but you’ll want to use the smaller sizes mentioned above. The SEG engineered extrusion frame and locking base plate connections means it can support monitors with or without the workstation counter(s).
Q11. On the layering of frames do you use the same foot for
both or does each frame have a foot of its own?
There are two base plates. One with a single frame
connection and one with a double frame connection. The single base plates are
typically used on the far left and right, and the double base plate is used in
the middle to connect two frames.
Q12. Can you guys add a small step stool to each unit?
We could but we won’t. 😉 There are collapsible step stools online for
less than $15. And there’s always the option of installing the SEG graphic with
the frame flat on the floor.
Q13. Can the open table be used as a charging table?
Not really. Even if you had a full graphic, the wire management
would still be visible on the back. We suggest selecting the enclosed counters
instead or use the two wireless/wired charging pads on the backwall workstation.
Q14. When using the display double-sided, can you still
install a monitor mount?
Yes using the hidden vertical support. Whenever you use that
monitor attachment, the graphic has to be pierced for the cords.
Q15. What is vertical load capacity of these attachments?
The attachment brackets are welded aluminum and engineered
extrusion. If you manage to break an attachment based on weight alone, then we want
to hear about it. Frankly, it’s not going to happen.
Q16. Are the shipping cases portable?
Symphony ships in our portable flat roto-molded cases with wheels and includes Classic’s reusable die-cut foam packaging. No exhibit builder does a better job with packaging, labeling, and instructions than Classic.
Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, hybrid, and custom exhibit solutions, including Symphony Portable Displays. 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.
