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Patient Recovery: Word on the Street — June 20th thru June 24th

June 26th, 2011 Mel White COMMENTS
Getting Healthy

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

On Getting Healthy

As we climb out of the recession, the trade show industry as a whole has bounced back. Albeit slowly. From the manufacturing side, we have witnessed budgets increase and align with the design hopes of end users. All good things.

But as many of you would agree, not unlike the economy at large, the slow to moderate recovery (healthy growth as it has been called) is a key component to actual recovery. Let me draw a personal comparison if you don’t mind.

Some time ago, 11 years to be exact, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. Like many others who have experienced cancers of many kinds, I was given chemotherapy as my primary treatment. And chemo is designed to essentially kill you from a cellular level. Good and bad cells alike are destroyed in order to hopefully get all the cancer out of your system.

Afterwards, your body (regardless of age) is essentially back at the starting line. Not just from the chemo, but also from the fact that you have been without physical activity for a long period while recovering from surgery and from being out of commission during treatments.

Now, as much as I might have wanted to, I could not just go out and run a 10k, ride my bike 30 miles, or play a game of tennis. Actually walking around the block was like running a marathon. I constantly had to remind myself or be reminded that I needed to take my time and that it would take time to recovery from essentially 4-5 months of inactivity. Atrophy is an amazing phenomenon. It happens so fast, yet it takes so long to build your body back up to where it once was.

VK-5076 Island Exhibit

VK-5076 Island Exhibit

The reason I am sharing this is simple. Currently in our business and industry, like other industries in the US market, we are still recovering from the recession of the past 2-3 years. And in all reality, that recovery did not really start until about January of this year. At least that is when we really started seeing consistent, positive economic changes. And I, like others, have to keep reminding myself or be reminded by others that we are still early in this recovery process. Lest I forget that some even think we might slip back into another recession. I personally doubt that, but I have to admit that nothing would surprise me.

However, I/we need to continue to remain patient. Just like the muscles in your legs and arms that go unused for a long period of time and take awhile to gain their strength back, our economy and businesses will also take time to truly bounce back to peak health. So rather than focus on the length of time the recovery is taking, we should be focusing on the leaps and bounds we are making daily and weekly. Much of which is a direct result of the hard work we did to clean up our own houses during the lean times so we all come out of this stronger and healthier than before.

I know this may seem a bit off topic as you review the latest Island designs in Design Monday, like Ginsana (VK-5076) introduced this week, but it’s really not. It reflects some of the hard work we have been doing during the recovery process as we create high-end and multi-functional designs for you and your end users.

I guess what grandma always said is true, “Patience is a virtue.” Or as my grandad said, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Have a great weekend!

–Kevin Carty

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

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What Did We Learn from the Recession: Word on the Street — April 11th thru April 15th

April 17th, 2011 Mel White COMMENTS
What Have We Learned

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

It’s Been Over Two Years. What Did We Learn?

I’m curious what you/we learned over the past two years about our industry, your business, and our customers? Here are my thoughts. Please share your thoughts as well and “Leave a Reply.”

First, it goes without saying that the last two years have been hard:  on people, our industry, as well as our customers. But it sure feels like we are all much stronger in so many ways. Here is what I’ve learned:

1. Supplier and partner relationships are more important than ever.

For Classic, this has never been truer. Whether it’s sharing costs on large inventory buys or representing one another on distributor visits, partnering with our suppliers is a key component of our (and their) success. We rely on them for advice, for business, and for another set of eyes and ears in the marketplace.

Thank you 2. You would be wise to respect and thank those folks in your own organizations who helped you get through the recession. They, as well as you, worked very hard and are sure to be working even harder now.

Classic Exhibits is fortunate to have a dedicated, long-tenured staff both administratively and in production. Without their dedication, their creativity, and their patience, we would not have survived and succeeded during the recession!

3. At some point, convention centers in the United States will be engaged in hand-to-hand combat just to survive as state and local subsidies decline. Only then will there be pressure on the General Contractors to play fair with Exhibitors.

In our humble opinion, something has to change. We cannot continue down this path. Eventually, exhibitors will simply refuse to attend or participate in trade show marketing.

Head in Sand Approach

4. Those who took the past two years to innovate in design, manufacturing, marketing and sales are reaping the early benefits as sales continue to increase!

A “Talk to the Hand” mentality may have worked in 2008 when dealing with your customers (a philosophy that Classic has never ascribed to). Customers are not going to, nor should they, put up with that attitude! No one wants to wait while you wade through your “waiting period” or put up with your “do it our way” attitude.

We know many other companies that lived on their “brand” and their “presence” leading into 2008. But never did the light shine so brightly, and poorly quite frankly, on those companies than during the recession. We were all struggling and the last thing you wanted was any sort of non-sympathetic, non-customer centric attitude from your supplier only moments after reviewing your weekly cash projections.

6. There is no guarantee the recession is over!

Turning a blind eye to the possibility that we might slide backwards again would not just be foolish, but it would clearly indicate that you lived with your head in the sand, or somewhere else the past two years.

What was your first car?

What was your first car?

7. Cheap pop-ups and banner stands did not destroy the industry! Rather, they brought new customers that are or soon will be moving upstream into larger more dynamic exhibit needs as their sales and marketing budgets increase.

Remember we all had a “first” car. Mine was a 1970 Datsun B1200 (deluxe mind you). And you know what, it was what I could afford at the time. Then as I began to earn more money, I got nicer cars, etc. etc. etc. By the way, that was not my plane in the background.

8. Social Media is a “tool.” And like any tool, you can use it wisely or misuse it and take your chances.

I don’t need to mention the number of Group Discussions on LinkedIn that that have gone a bit sideways, leaving some folks wishing they had not said quite as much as they did. And then there’s the one person who always has to have the last word.

Bad Service 9. Anyone who tells their customer that you MUST follow their procedures and process or we can’t take your order should be shown the door. Flexibility is key! And trying to operate without it will kill your business in the end.

Take a look back at my blog a few weeks ago regarding trying to order a sample that a vendor had on their shelf and being told that it would take five days due to their process and procedures as a “BIG” company. You get the picture.

10. Design, Features, Message and Price. They are all the same components that every customer needs and considers. Its the order in which they need them that sets one customer apart from the other.

Vacation with the Griswolds

Vacation with the Griswolds

11. We are not all crazy! We all just need a vacation. So take one. You deserve it for staying in business over the past couple years. Kudos!

Those are just a few of many of our observations. How about you? Please share your thoughts and or comments. What did you learn?

I hope you had a great weekend and even better week ahead

Be Well!

–Kevin Carty

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

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Kevin Carty Elected to the EDPA Board of Directors

December 10th, 2010 Mel White 1 COMMENT

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.

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Word on the Street — April 12th thru April 16th

April 18th, 2010 Mel White COMMENTS

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

“On the Road Again”!

I hope last week was a great one for you! It certainly was for me. I was on the road visiting customers and partners. I also met with several “future” partners.

Here are some of the things I learned that continue to give me hope for the state of the trade show industry.

#1 — Sales are increasing everywhere.

Mostly inline displays but A LOT OF THEM. I received many positive comments about the Classic Hybrid lines such as Perfect 10, Magellan, and Sacagawea. Distributors appreciate the design differences they see in our lines.

#2 — The outlook, while still tenuous, is looking brighter.

Our crystal ball shows that sales are increasing, which is what we all want. There’s more chatter about ordering new displays and attending shows.

#3 — Smaller island designs are coming back. This fall looks good in that regard.

Mainly 20 x 20 and 20 x 30 hybrids, but with good budgets. Yippee!

#4 — New product development at Classic is in full swing.

Expect some unique product designs from Classic in Q3. We’re keeping it under wraps for now, but I promise you they will be truly different.

#5 —  Our partnerships are stronger than ever.

I am anticipating a big announcement as it relates to ClassicMODUL sometime in the next six months. But again, I’ll just tease you with that for now.

Everyone during my trip seemed to agree that May, June and July are “wait and see” months. There’s a great deal of optimism right now, and from the look of things, we expect the normal summer doldrums to be healthier this year.

So . . . to those I visited, had nice meals with, had productive meetings with, played games with at Dave and Busters, and planned the future with . . . thanks so very much for making my week enjoyable and productive.

Be well and have a safe and restful weekend. Let me know what you are hearing and seeing in your market.

–Kevin Carty

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

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Word on the Street — December 21st thru December 25th

December 27th, 2009 Mel White 3 COMMENTS
Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Sorry to Ask, But What Is It That You Do? 

It’s the number one question I find myself answering or explaining, especially this time of year.

During the holiday season, family functions with extended family and holiday parties with friends and “friends of friends” tend to rule the calendar. All of which are fun and provide great opportunities to touch base with those who you may only see once or twice a year. These gatherings always leave me chuckling a little, because inevitably I find myself answering a variation of the same question . . . “Uhmm, sorry to ask, but what is it  that you do? I know you’ve told me before but . . . .”

Over the years, I have learned that the question can only be answered if you know the perspective of the person asking the question. For example, with third cousin Carl, a trainer of champion show toy poodles, the response is something like, “I work for a company that manufactures the exhibits that the 4H Club uses at the state fair. You know the little fold out thingy that you set behind them. Done . . . he understands.

Or, when Aunt Sally’s sister-in-law (from her husband’s side) Francine, a computer programmer asks, the response is “You know what CES and Macworld are, right? We build those sorts of exhibits.” Done . . . she understands.

But the one thing that never changes and always surprises me a bit is the overwhelming number of times I hear in return, “Oh! I never knew there was a industry like that.” Like the shows just happen on their own. Or as if every company builds their own exhibit.

The truth is that while we, as an industry of Exhibit Designers and Producers, are a small group by comparison, we service virtually ever segment of the economy. But try explaining that to Uncle Ned! Who once again blessed us with his “Special Fruitcake” . . . the fruitcake that NEVER gets eaten, not even OPENED to be exact. Why you ask? Let’s just say that Ned dabbled extensively in psychedelics in his past. So as a family, we’ve never really gotten to the point where we trust what might be in his “Special Fruitcake.” 🙂

How do you explain to relatives, friends, and strangers what you do for a living?

Have a safe and restful weekend!

–Kevin Carty

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

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