Word on the Street — December 27th thru December 31st

Trade Show Blog

2011 Trade Show Predictions

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Out with the Old and In with the New

This past week was filled with a flurry of new (albeit last minute) orders and lots of quote requests for the New Year. It was a promising sign heading into 2011.

Around Classic, talk was about what to expect in the first quarter of 2011 . . . internally and externally.

Mel and I have been in full blown planning mode for the past eight weeks, and this past week was no different. We have many things on tap for 2011, especially the first quarter. Along with the recent launching of the new SEGUE Sunrise, we are launching new variations of existing systems as well as multiple Island exhibits that reflect current “minimalist” trends and the growth of silicone edge graphics.

Along with that, we are refining our internal “customer experience.” Some examples include setting better expectations to make the overall process more predictable. The advent of tighter time lines, which have become the new “norm,” bring new challenges to our process. I am personally addressing many of these not only for you but also for our internal Project Management and Production Departments.

Pricing will receive some attention in the first quarter of 2011 as well. As many of you have probably seen in the financial markets, aluminum and plastic prices have slowly been on the rise. Does this mean an increase is pending from Classic Exhibits and ClassicMODUL? Yes in part, but we have been looking at more creative buying practices to control costs, so it will not be an across the board price increase. You will actually see some price decreases as well.

In the next few weeks, I will publish my Annual Company Letter. I am currently working on it and do not know the exact release date, but it will be in January.

I hope you and your families had a safe and happy New Year’s celebration. Be well.

–Kevin Carty

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

Recent Posts

Top Technology Trade Shows and Exhibit Setup Tips

Technology companies understand that a successful trade show can boost their sales for the year. As a result, they take their trade show planning seriously. They develop a comprehensive strategy for their pre-show, show, and post show activities.

Hybrid Booth Layout Tips for Hardware & Software

In the days of yore, trade show exhibits were simple:  graphics, products, and lights. Today’s exhibits feature hybrid booth layouts blending hardware and software. This physical and digital combination creates both design complexity and marketing opportunities.

EuroShop 2026 Design Trends

Recently, Kevin Carty and Katina Rigall Zipay from Classic Exhibits attend EuroShop 2026 in Duesseldorf, Germany. While there, they posted two videos of their experience including exhibition design trends like colors, shapes, materials, and lighting

Small Booth Strategies for First-Time Fancy Food Exhibitors

Are you a first-time exhibitor at the Summer Fancy Food Show in NYC? Congratulations! The SFFS is a marathon of tasting, networking, and business deals, open only to qualified members of the food trade. Think retail buyers, distributors, chefs, and the press. Expect to see over 32,000 attendees, 2500 exhibitors, and 180,000 specialty food and beverages on display.

Booth Design Ideas That Help Biotech Brands Stand Out at BIO 2026

Are you an exhibitor or an attendee at BIO? If you’re an exhibitor, you’re probably wondering how individual biotech brands stand out at the BIO International Convention? The key is knowing your audience, creating a comprehensive strategy, and designing a stunning biotech booth design.

Trade Shows are a Journey. Send Sacagawea.

The Sacagawea Portable Hybrid Display is an American-engineered and built system designed for professional exhibitors. It’s meant to last for years, look amazing, and setup fast from the first to the fiftieth show. No compromises.

Introducing the New Classic Website!

Good websites are never fully done. They evolve… and the new Classic website makes changes much easier. So, if “stuff” moves around or we add new features, it’s because we’re antsy about the status quo at Classic Exhibits. Which shouldn’t surprise you.

What Makes a Good Trade Show Booth?

When it comes to creating a good trade show booth, you are in luck. The booth design is the fun part for most exhibitors. You get to work with an exhibit designer who has your trade show goals and budget, along with an understanding of your customers, your culture and your branding. While the question “What makes a good trade show booth?” depends on the exhibitor, there are commonalities to every good trade show exhibit. We’ll explore those similarities in this article.

More Mix & Match Rentals from Classic Rental Solutions

About a month ago, we launched Classic’s Mix & Match Rental Guide as a tool to streamline the rental decision process with a comprehensive set of towers, counters, lightboxes, and kiosks. This “smarter not harder” approach was intended to make your job easier.

Our Membership in the Xperiential Marketplace

Classic Exhibits announces our membership in Xperiential Marketplace (XM), an innovative buying and education group for the exhibit industry. XM was founded by two industry veterans, Jason Weddle and Rob Cohen with a mission to unlock savings, create stronger partnerships, and increase growth.

The Power of a Branded Trade Show Exhibit: Strategy + Examples

Marketing professionals and exhibit designers know how to create a branded trade show exhibit that attracts traffic to the booth and maximizes the attendee’s experience. It starts with understanding the brand’s identity and creating a detailed strategic plan for the trade show.