Trade Show TalesBlog

Posts Tagged ‘Trade Shows’

Reflections on the Gravitee One-Step Modular Wall System

December 28th, 2018 COMMENTS

Two years ago, we introduced the Gravitee One-Step Modular Wall System, a radical approach to modular walls. No tools, no loose connectors, and no inventory of funky corners.

What have we learned in two years? We’ve learned that…

  1. Exhibit Designers love Gravitee’s flexibility. Its curves, graphic options, stacking, and backlighting.
  2. Distributor Partners praise its durability, ease-of-use, and rental possibilities.
  3. Exhibitors have embraced its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and engineered elegance and beauty.

If we’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that innovation is hard… and risky. Everyone gravitates (no pun intended… well, maybe a little) to the familiar. The easy path would have been for Classic Exhibits to introduce a “me too” product. However, that’s not how we roll, and our product history has always been one of being different and better.

As we all head into the New Year, we wish you much success in 2019, and we invite you to embrace the “different and better approach.” We are far from perfect, but we’ve had a pretty good 25-year run by not being like everyone else. Take the path less traveled. The scenery is more interesting, and you just might discover something new.

Gravitee One-Step Modular Wall System

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

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Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, hybrid, custom, rental 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.

An Exhibit Design Search Video by the TradeshowGuy

December 3rd, 2018 COMMENTS

How to Promote Your Branded Exhibit Design Search

I’m often asked by Classic Exhibits Distributors, “How do I promote our branded Exhibit Design Search?” Well, in addition to making it prominent on your website and using it as a sales tool with clients, you should feature it on social media, like Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and even YouTube. 

Consider posting:

  • New Exhibit Designs
  • Unique Solutions such as Charging Stations, iPad Kiosks, and LED Lightboxes
  • Exhibit Specials and Lightning Deals
  • Photos
  • Trade Show Marketing Articles
  • Videos

Here’s an example. Tim Patterson at TradeshowGuy Exhibits created an EDS tutorial video which he posted on YouTube. He will use it as a sales and marketing resource for existing and potential clients, but just having it on YouTube will also increase the exposure of his company. It’s a straight-forward video and very effective. See for yourself. 

 

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Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, hybrid, and custom exhibit solutions, including SuperNova LED Lightboxes. 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.

 

Photos of Recent LED Fabric Lightboxes

October 10th, 2018 COMMENTS

Recent Trade Show Lightbox Trends

We sometimes forget (or simply don’t recognize) how quickly trends change on the trade show floor. LED Fabric Lightboxes have been around for 5-6 years. Crude versions with muddy low-resolution graphics and hinky lights a little longer.

2018 has become “The Unofficial Year of Lightboxes.” Probably 65% of the exhibits we ship have LED lights — in a tower, backwall, counter, accent, or stem light. It’s at the point where it’s almost jarring not to see a lightbox or LED lights on an exhibit. Not all all lightboxes are equal, but I’ll save that debate for another blog post. What is true is that the fabric, the printing, and the LED lights have gotten better, depending the source/supplier, BUT it pays to do your homework.

  • How new are the dye-sublimation printers? The technology is changing rapidly
  • Does the supplier actually dye-sublimate the image or do they print directly to the fabric (cheaper, more fragile, and wrinkles)?
  • Are the lights and transformers UL approved? 
  • What is the quality of the fabric? Think H & M vs. J. Jill as an clothing example. 

Below are some examples of recent SuperNova LED lightboxes, both purchase and rental. Sadly, LED lightboxes don’t photograph well with smartphones or point and shoot cameras. You see “hotspots,” and the colors are never as vibrant as with the naked eye. However, that won’t stop us from sharing. 🙂

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

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Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, hybrid, and custom exhibit solutions, including SuperNova LED Lightboxes. 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.

Visual Guide to Trade Show Success Infographic

October 1st, 2018 COMMENTS

I’m a sucker for a well-designed, informative Infographic. I appreciate the creative artistry and exhaustive research required for the infographic to be successful. Which is why the “Visual Guide to Trade Show Success” from US Event Management caught my attention. 

First, it’s beautifully designed. It’s cohesive yet each section is distinct and there’s a practical north/south flow. On top of that, the information is useful and logically arranged. I especially like the “Questions to Consider” which poses questions every exhibitor should ask themselves. 

Sixteen total tips. Click on the link to Download the Infographic. And our thanks to the folks at US Event Management for creating it. 

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

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Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, hybrid, and custom exhibit solutions, including SuperNova LED Lightboxes. 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.

Here’s a Handy Drayage Calculator (and it’s FREE)

September 14th, 2018 COMMENTS

Material Handling/Drayage Calculator

Trade Show Material Handling CalculatorMention “drayage” or “material handling” to any exhibitor and it’s bound to start a conversation. And not always a pleasant one.

Over the years, I’ve learned that while the amount matters, it’s really the uncertainty that drives most exhibitors crazy. No one enjoys calling their company Controller to inform them that your company credit card was just maxed out… on Day 0 of the trade show.  

There are many ways to lower your drayage expense, such as shipping to the advanced warehouse and consolidating your freight (no small boxes or strapping items to a crate). That’s a conversation every exhibitor should have with their exhibit house or display provider. You can save a lot of money by tapping into the expert advice of an exhibit professional. 

So how do you predict your material handling expense? Use our handy Drayage Calculator. If you know the standard rate for the show, which can typically be found in your General Show Contractor forms and the weight of your shipment, enter those numbers into the calculator. Then determine if there will be any special handling charges and when you expect the freight to hit the dock (straight time or overtime). The calculator can give you a good estimate. 

It’s not foolproof, but it’s better than guessing, which is what most exhibitors do now. Give it a try. It’s free. Let us know if it prevented that ugly phone call with your Controller.

Clicking on the image will redirect you to the Drayage Calculator webpage. Be sure to bookmark it. 

Trade Show Material Handling Calculator (Drayage)  

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Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, hybrid, and custom exhibit solutions, including SuperNova LED Lightboxes. 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.