Tradeshow Tales Blog - classicexhibits.com

Happy Memorial Day: Word on the Street — May 21st thru May 25th

May 27th, 2012 Kevin Leave a comment

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

While we are all enjoying a long weekend, I hope that we do not forget the reason behind Memorial Day: Remembering those who have served and/or lost their lives serving our country.

I was never a member of any of our armed forces, but many of my friends and family were. I am always impressed by the courage of those men and women who chose to serve in the military. Selflessness and courage are the words that come to mind.

Sometimes you hear that people enter because they felt they needed some direction or they needed to earn money for college or they wanted to gain some discipline, but at the end of the day, those are merely the results of the decision they made. Ultimately, the decision takes a level of courage that I am pretty sure I don’t have nor ever had to be frank.

Like me, I know many of you have had loved ones and friends serve in our military forces. So please join me this weekend in thanking them for their service and courage on behalf of us and our great country.

Billy Graham once said, “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” I love how true that is. We are certainly the greatest nation in the world and with it comes a sense of confidence, a stiffening of the spine one might say. One part of the reason we have that is because of the protection and service of those in uniform.

Thank you!

Be well and have a great weekend. We look forward to hearing from you and answering any of your questions on Tuesday.

–Kevin Carty

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

Tags: Classic Exhibits, Memorial Day
Posted in Kevin Carty, Word on the Street | No Comments »

How to Win a Gold Metal at Your Next Trade Show

May 21st, 2012 mel Leave a comment

Stand on the Podium

Yeah for Me!

The London Summer Olympics is just around the corner. We love watching the competition — who wins, who loses, and the inspiring stories about athletes who participate but do not win a gold, a silver, or a bronze metal. Athletes want to win, even if they know it’s a long shot, so they plan, prepare, and train for a chance to stand on the podium. No one prepares for the Olympics just to win a participation trophy.

Trade shows are no different. For anyone new to trade show marketing, here’s an important tip no one’s ever going to share with you (except me). You can waste LOTS and LOTS of MONEY participating in trade shows if you don’t know what you’re doing. I don’t care how smart you are. You are going to make mistakes. Lots of them, but the key is to minimize them from the get-go. The trick — learn from the folks who have already made those mistakes and who have stubbed their toe(s) more times than they want to be reminded.

Here’s what they’ll tell you.

#1. What’s Your Goal. Why are you participating in a trade show? To build the brand, increase sales, meet new customers, find new markets. All are legitimate reasons to exhibit at a show. Bad reasons . . . Going on a whim, because it sounds like a good idea, or because your dog Rex tells you to go (What a bad boy!). Without a goal you have no way of measuring your success. Get a goal. Write it down and share it with your team. Then and only then should you consider trade show marketing.

#2. What’s Your Budget. If you say, I don’t know then fold up your tent and go home. The number doesn’t matter, except as a baseline for what you can and can’t do. It’s all relative. $10,000 will get you one thing . . . . $250,000 will get you something else.

Visionary Designs VK-1319

#3. Do Some Preliminary Research. It’s easy. It’s called Google. Is it going to confuse you? Hell yes. You’ll see stupid numbers like $79 for a banner stand and $1.5 million for a custom exhibit. Imagine walking into a new car lot not having seen or driven a car before. You need a point of reference, but you don’t need to be an expert. That’s impossible. You just need to get a sense of what’s on the market and how much displays cost. That’s it.

#4. Work with a Seasoned Exhibit Professional. Why? Why not! I’ve never met anyone in this business who wants a customer to buy the wrong display. You’ve got a budget, right? That will narrow the choices. During the initial meetings, an exhibit consultant will spend more time talking to you about your goals, your message, and your shows than they will about what display to buy. The display is important, but it’s simply a tool. They want you to succeed. Then you’ll come back and buy more. Yippee! It’s a win-win.

#5 What Shows. Now you may already know which show(s) you must attend. Every industry has a trade show. That’s the first step but hardly the only step. Are their other shows you should attend because you want to expand into other markets? How about local shows where all you need is a table top display or a pop up. Ask your vendors which shows they attend. Or use one of many online tools like the www.thetradeshowcalendar.com. Or, here’s a thought — ask your exhibit professional to assist you.

#6. Plan, Plan, Plan. I know. It’s boring. But, apart from identifying your trade show marketing goals, nothing is more important. You need to put in the work. You need to complete the required paperwork on time. You need to conduct pre-show marketing to get potential clients to your booth. You need to create a project list and check and double-check every last detail. You’ve heard it a million times, but this time it’s true: Fail to plan, then plan to fail. Planning makes the difference between pouring money down a rat-hole and complaining that trade shows don’t work and becoming the next CEO of your company. Well, that may be a little exaggeration (but not much).

#7. Who’s Going to the Show. Working the booth is neither a punishment nor a vacation. It’s a job. There’s no in-between. The folks who work the booth have to understand that. They must know the products and services, possess outstanding customer service skills, and be willing to meet clients before, during, and after the show. They must know the difference between entertaining clients and a felony. They must understand the distinction between social drinking and detox. If they don’t, no matter how charming they are, leave them home.

#8 Train Them. Yes, train them. Before the show, meet with your team and review the goals, the schedule, and the products

Bazinga!

and services. Who handles which product line? Who’s the expert on specific services? Who greets clients as they enter the booth? How do you plan to handle leads? Are there meetings and presentations in the booth space? Who cleans in the morning? Who cleans in the evening? How do you handle competitors who enter your booth? There’s a lot of questions and situations that can happen during a one to three day trade show. Do not leave them to chance!

#9. Leads. Treat them like a credit card. You never know if the limit is $500 or if you found an American Express Platinum with no limit. There are really three keys to managing leads. First, qualify the lead and take lots and lots of notes. You may think you have an eidetic memory, but trust me, unless you are Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory, you don’t. All the details you capture only increase your odds exponentially of making a sale. Knowledge is power on the trade show floor. Second, review the leads with the team at the end of the day. Don’t leave the booth and head for the bar UNTIL you’ve reviewed every single lead. Those that need immediate action should be handed to the right person that day. Third, they are sales leads, not confetti. Too many companies treat them like scraps of paper which can be tossed at the end of the show. How you treat leads tells the potential customer everything about your company.

#10. Post-show Analysis. All too often, when the show is over, the show is over until next year. Big mistake. We learn from our successes and our failures. The trade show team should conduct a “post-show” review within a week. These ideas need to be captured and recorded so the lessons learned can be implemented at the next show. Even better, meet with your trade show consultant as well. He/she can offer advice based on their experience with other clients and show you how you can improve your trade show marketing and save money.

Don’t be shy. Put in the effort and plan ahead and you will be standing on the podium wearing a little gold.

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

*********************************

Based in Portland, Oregon, 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.

Tags: banner stands, displays, exhibits, marketing, pop up displays, Trade Shows
Posted in Mel White, Trade Show Exhibit Tips | No Comments »

Office Honey-Do’s: Word on the Street — May 14th thru May 18th

May 20th, 2012 Kevin Leave a comment

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Getting it Done in 75 Days (or Less)

It’s that time of year –mid-May– when at home or at the office, you find yourself tackling projects that have been accumulating in that “to-do” list. You know the ones! They start accumulating in mid-January when it’s too cold, but (we tell ourselves) we’ll get to them when we have a little more time.

In our business, this is the time of year when we start addressing and completing many of those projects. We do a lot of product development, strategizing, and investigative purchasing this time of year, but we also address nagging tasks and or ideas that have gone unattended. Our projects are comparable to that deck you mentioned to your wife back in January. Remember . . . the one you said you would build once the weather was better in June.

This year is no different, but sales this May are staying stronger than normal. But even at that, we are pressing forward with side projects and general clean-up. Without boring you with the laundry list, let’s just say it includes everything from re-organizing the racks, painting, rotating inventory, working with the local power company on new energy efficient plans, and renovating restrooms in the building. We’re even building in a shower for those employees who bike or run to work.

In June and July when sales are slowing, these projects allow us to keep our crew busy during months that otherwise they would be working shorter schedules. Even at that, we still have to plan around the heavy summer vacation schedules.

We are also working on re-addressing graphic dimension templates, refining our already stellar set-up instructions, and preparing for several new staff positions. You’ll hear more about these new positions in the next month, all of which will set the foundation for better customer service and additional services.

I wish we could enjoy the downtime a bit more, but I really appreciate the drive, diligence, and dedication of our entire staff to capitalize on these times. Ultimately it makes our lives easier when we are going 100 mph in August.

So, what are you doing this summer to make your business stronger this fall? What projects make the top of your office “Honey-Do” lists?

Be well and have a great week ahead.

–Kevin Carty

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

Tags: Classic Exhibits, Summer Projects, To Do Lists
Posted in Kevin Carty, Word on the Street | No Comments »

SKU & You: Word on the Street — May 7th thru May 11th

May 13th, 2012 Kevin Leave a comment

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Shared Knowledge University & You

About this time of year, we normally send the Classic Distributor Network a survey with 15-18 questions. Not this time. We have cleared our schedule on June 12, 13, and 14 to connect with you. We’ll talk, we’ll listen, we’ll learn, and we’ll find answers together.

Join us on June 12, 13, and 14 for three days of sharing via Classic’s “SKU & You” sessions. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, you can participate in three (3) educational webinars, two (2) topic specific webinars, and two (2) one-on-one phone calls with Kevin Carty, Mel White, and Reid Sherwood. Choose the session(s) that target your interests and/or concerns.

Schedule:

1. Knowledge Webinars (45-60 minutes) | 10 am – 11 am

Designer Design Tips for Sales-cessful Island Exhibits (Tuesday) – Exhibit Designers: Erik Frost, Michael McCord, Mike Swartout, Katina Rigall, and Greg Garrett
[Reserve Your Seat Now]
A Hybrid is a Hybrid is a Hybrid. Really? (Wednesday) – Mel White
[Reserve Your Seat Now]
What’s All the Hub-Bub about Silicone Edge Graphics (Thursday) — Kevin Carty with a special guest from Optima Graphics
[Reserve Your Seat Now]

2. Open Session Webinars with Kevin, Mel, and Reid Sherwood (45-75 minutes) | 11:30 am-12:45 pm

Open Chat (Tuesday). What’s New in Design, People, and Trends. Join Us!
[Register Now]
Open Chat (Wednesday). Take Us to the Woodshed . . . What Did We Do Wrong/What Can We Do Better. Join Us!
[Register Now]

3. One-on-One Phone Calls with Kevin and Mel

Two Hour Open Blocks on Tuesday and Thursday. We’ll be sitting by the phone waiting to answer your questions or just chat. First come. First serve. No tipping required.

Look for times and additional details later this month in LinkedIn, the Classic Exhibits blog, and e-broadcasts to the Classic email list.

Be well!

–Kevin Carty

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

Tags: Classic Exhibits, Erik Frost, Greg Garrett, Michael McCord, Optima Graphics, Shared Knowledge, Webinars
Posted in Kevin Carty, Word on the Street | No Comments »

“New and Improved” Peek-a-Booth — More Webcams!

May 11th, 2012 mel 1 Comment

The New and Improved Peek-a-Booth

Peeking just got better. We added another camera in the Purchase Set-up Area for a total of three. Plus, we added two to the Rental Set-up Area. The Purchase and Rental areas are on opposite ends of the Classic Exhibits facility.

If my math skills are correct, we improved your peeking ability by 250 percent (from two to five webcams). There are now three unique angles in the purchase staging area (two facing forward, one facing the backside). The rental webcams both face forward.

The webcams all have pan, tilt, zoom, and snapshot capabilities.

Take a moment to play with Peek-a-booth on Classic Exhibits website. The temporary username and password are:

Username: classicexhibits
Password: spring_2012

In the future, please call or email Classic Exhibits for the current password. The password changes periodically for security reasons and bandwidth limitations.

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

*********************************

Tags: Classic Exhibits, displays, exhibits, Peek-a-Booth, Trade show, webcams
Posted in Classic Exhibit Systems, Mel White | 1 Comment »

The Dirtiest Word in the RFP Process: Word on the Street — April 30th thru May 4th

May 6th, 2012 Kevin 6 Comments

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Earmuffs Kids . . .

“BUDGET!” There I said it! The dirty word that none of us like to discuss when starting a new design. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Let me be so cavalier as to suggest that we rip the band-aid off when we first start the design process. Don’t get me wrong. Make sure you introduce yourself and show the client around your place or let them give you a tour of theirs . . . whichever applies. But then cut to the chase.

Now I know what you’re saying, “But Kevin, you don’t live in our world. You are not the one in front of the end-users everyday. You are not the one who always gets the 1/2 honest answer or the unrealistic requests.” I agree. I am not. But I am on many of the initial calls as your manufacturer representative for the project. So I get it! Especially the frustration of the answer to the dreaded question that goes something like this, “Well, we are not really sure. We know we want an open, airy, and fresh look that can house all our product presentations, four staff members, and space for a live presenter. Most importantly, we want to not look like anyone else and to really standout.”

Ouch! Ahhhh!

This is usually when I make a comment that makes the room go silent. Something like, “Well, we can make exactly what you want between $50k-$125k. It just depends on how much you want to standout and exactly how ‘fresh’ of a look you are looking for.” This usually gets a response of . . . “Oh, that seems like a big spread in dollars for the same footprint.”

Point being, you can go out and buy a 4-door sedan tomorrow and do the same thing. You can spend $19,999 or you can spend $59,999 for what appears on the outside to be a car that is the exact same dimension. But once you lift the hood and/or open the doors, you will see the differences. Both cars may suit your base purposes just fine, but one certainly comes with more options and accessories. And one will make your more noticeable.

In these situations, what our PM’s, designers, or anyone else at Classic working with the client does is take you and your client to Exhibit Design Search — preferably yours if you have a branded version or ours if you do not. Then we ask the client to “drive the models,” and check the boxes that fit them — size of exhibit, type of exhibit, and price range. In doing so, you are essentially getting the client to self select and reveal their budget range.

Now to be fair, you are often working with clients who are new to trade shows displays. They don’t have a point of reference. To them, they see a pop up display and assume it costs $199 with graphics. The sticker shock can be jarring, and they may not see the distinction between two banner stands and a portable counter and a custom hybrid. Why does one cost $10,000 more than another?

Now, I don’t pretend to think this always works or that it fits all scenarios, but at the end of the day, it gives us the best chance at being successful. We have to know their realistic budget — are they a Kia or a Mercedes customer. Is the car a means of transportation or is it a refection of their personality? Do they want it to last two years or ten years? Does it make more sense to lease or rent?

Design and detailing can solve a lot of the other issues once we know that.

Be well!

–Kevin Carty

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

Tags: budget, design, exhibits, RFP, Trade Shows
Posted in Kevin Carty, Word on the Street | 6 Comments »

In the “Old Days” . . . .

May 3rd, 2012 Reid 4 Comments

Shooting from the Hip by Reid Sherwood

It was Better Back When (Except When It Wasn’t)

The trade show market seems to be back, maybe not with a vengeance, but certainly with a nice steady fire. (Yes I know all the fire comments are coming — but hey, I asked for it.) Classic Distributors haven’t complained recently about business, but they have all said, “It’s good, but still not like the old days.”

The “Old Days” are a little of what I would like to talk about here. Please feel free to add to my jaded perception.

In the “Old Days” . . . We had the Luxury of TIME

When I took my first order ever in this industry (circa 1987) from Mary Ann Kenkle at what was then Omni-Craft in South Bend Indiana, she ordered a very simple 6 ft. tabletop with a backlit, silk-screened header. We required six weeks production and needed to have a hard PMT of their artwork. PMT is photomechanical transfer. It typically came in the mail. Today, we have exhibits that look custom, are often available in “8 Days or Less,” and expect that Optima will ship us the fabric graphic in 48 hours.

In the “Old Days” . . . We had CUSTOMER LOYALTY

RFP’s were sent to three companies, and the incumbent was truly a partner. I had a conversation with a good friend and distributor a few weeks back about the fact that there are lots of opportunities out there, but not all are worth chasing. As we continued the conversation, he told me about a RFP that he received that included his company and 13 others. If they are looking at 14 companies, then the buyer really has no idea what the final goal is. Customer LOYALTY is a partnership.

Good Times?

In the “Old Days” . . . We had EXHIBIT DESIGNERS and GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

If you have a computer with Microsoft Paint, then you are a graphic designer, or if you have Google SketchUp, then you are an exhibit designer. I have often heard Mike Swartout, the Design Director at Classic Exhibits, say, “Ya know, that really isn’t a bad design, but they forgot to allow for one critical element…..GRAVITY.”

Sometimes the design can be so complex with curves, layers, great backlit images, and with every bell and whistle that you would find on a Rolls Royce. Other times, a simple Sacagawea 10 ft. exhibit with a nicely done fabric graphic and easy assembly is just the ticket. The difference is in the thought that went into creating the solution. Not how many buttons can you click on your computer and make a pretty picture.

I am sure there are many more, but these are the things that I hear about most often. Please feel free to add on whether they are sarcastic or serious. We welcome all comments (as long as they are safe for grandma’s ears).

Till the next time,

Reid Sherwood
reid@classicmodul.com

Tags: Classic Exhibits, displays, good old days, Optima, Trade show
Posted in Reid Sherwood, Shooting from the Hip | 4 Comments »

SKU…What a Pisser: Word on the Street — April 23rd thru April 27th

April 29th, 2012 Kevin Leave a comment

Classic Exhibits SKU--Shared Knowledge University

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

What a Pisser

If you attended Shared Knowledge University, you know what I am talking about.

This past week, we held Shared Knowledge University (SKU) training at Classic Exhibits. Based on the early feedback, I think it was a successful event. We had 24 enthusiastic distributors from as far east as Albany, New York, as far south as New Orleans, and as close as Las Vegas and Orange County.

The two day training was conducted at the Classic Exhibits facility and a nearby Courtyard by Marriott. We started each morning with the classroom portion at the Marriott. Then after lunch, we headed over to Classic for hands-on product training where the attendees toured the shop, learned about the rental program, and then spent about three hours each day disassembling products as well as learning about how, why, and when each product was brought to market.

Don't Ask!

For a training session to be successful, everything has to come together just right. Here are two elements from SKU that seemed to shine.

Engaged Attendees. Our compliments to the attendees. All 24 came ready to learn. As the trainers, we can’t express how much we appreciate that. Thanks for asking good questions, participating in every session, and for giving us your full attention for two days — even after a late night in the Boiler Room on Monday. You made it easy. Mostly, we appreciate how you embraced the “shared knowledge” theme by sharing your experiences during the sessions and the social events. Your coaching added so much, particularly for the those distributors new to Classic and/or the industry. Thank you!

Content is KING. Whether it is a Distributor Open House or a manufacturer’s training program, content is the glue. For that content, we have many to thank. Mel, first and foremost, pulled together the Master Plan and served as the Master of Ceremonies in the classroom. I know I speak for Mel when I say how proud we are of our staff and their participation in the training. In particular, Mike Swartout (Design Director), Wade West (PM), Charlie Shivel (PM) and Jeff Garrett (Setup PM). We were impressed by their sessions, the content they shared, and their presentations. Last, but certainly not least, our thanks to Dave Brown from Optima Graphics and Eric Albery from Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits. They not only agreed to fly to Portland for the training, but also conducted engaging and educational sessions as well.

I thought I’d share a few post-SKU comments from the attendees:

“The flow of the training was just-right, with a sensible progression from overview, to key people, processes, and products. And as much as I thought I had figured-out EDS from my own exploration, the EDS training took me that last bit of the way to understanding its great value as a sales tool.”

“The visit to Classic Exhibits proved very informative and I thought being able to see how your facility operates as well as being able to see the actual properties in person helped us get a better understanding of how the process works. Another added bonus was being able to have some hands on experience with tearing down some of the pop ups so we could have a better understanding when those questions come in from our clients we will be able to answer to them.”

“I talked to many of the attendees towards the end of Day 2 and all of them had great things to say about the presentations, the products, the knowledge, and the organized agenda. You guys did an amazing job putting this together!”

We will be holding another SKU event in mid-September. If you are interested in attending the next SKU training, please let Reid Sherwood or me know. Attendance will be limited to 25.

Two last things for the attendees: DO NOT FORGET THE OREGON PLEDGE! And . . . if the most memorable part of your time in Portland was the porcelain art at Bridgeport, then we succeeded as hosts.

Be well and have a great weekend.

–Kevin Carty

p.s. As a reminder, through May 31 your customer will receive a free copy of the book Build a Better Trade Show Image by Marlys Arnold on any hybrid display purchase. For a sneak peek, here’s a 45 page sample of the ebook. Also, take a minute to checkout the current specials in Exhibit Design Search in the Exhibit Specials gallery — 10 ft., 20 ft., and island designs.

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

Tags: Classic Exhibits, Shared Knowledge University, training
Posted in Kevin Carty, Word on the Street | No Comments »

From “8 Core Beliefs of Extraordinary Bosses”

April 27th, 2012 mel 1 Comment

Extraordinary or Just Extra Ordinary?

I thought I’d share a great article in www.inc.com in case you didn’t see it. Be sure to read the comments for differing opinions. Steve Jobs from Apple — an extraordinary boss or just “a bully with a vision”?

According to Geoffrey James in Inc.com, “The best managers have a fundamentally different understanding of workplace, company, and team dynamics.” Mr. James writes, “A few years back, I interviewed some of the most successful CEOs in the world in order to discover their management secrets. I learned that the “best of the best” tend to share the following eight core beliefs.”

1. Business is an ecosystem, not a battlefield.

Average bosses see business as a conflict between companies, departments and groups. They build huge armies of “troops” to order about, demonize competitors as “enemies,” and treat customers as “territory” to be conquered.

Extraordinary bosses see business as a symbiosis where the most diverse firm is most likely to survive and thrive. They naturally create teams that adapt easily to new markets and can quickly form partnerships with other companies, customers … and even competitors.

2. A company is a community, not a machine.

Average bosses consider their company to be a machine with employees as cogs. They create rigid structures with rigid rules and then try to maintain control by “pulling levers” and “steering the ship.”

Extraordinary bosses see their company as a collection of individual hopes and dreams, all connected to a higher purpose. They inspire employees to dedicate themselves to the success of their peers and therefore to the community–and company–at large.

3. Management is service, not control.

Average bosses want employees to do exactly what they’re told. They’re hyper-aware of anything that smacks of insubordination and create environments where individual initiative is squelched by the “wait and see what the boss says” mentality.

Extraordinary bosses set a general direction and then commit themselves to obtaining the resources that their employees need to get the job done. They push decision making downward, allowing teams form their own rules and intervening only in emergencies.

4. My employees are my peers, not my children.

Average bosses see employees as inferior, immature beings who simply can’t be trusted if not overseen by a patriarchal management. Employees take their cues from this attitude, expend energy on looking busy and covering their behinds.

Extraordinary bosses treat every employee as if he or she were the most important person in the firm. Excellence is expected everywhere, from the loading dock to the boardroom. As a result, employees at all levels take charge of their own destinies.

[continue for the final "4 Core Beliefs of Extraordinary Bosses"]

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

*********************************

Tags: bosses, inc.com, managers, managing
Posted in Business Tips, Mel White | 1 Comment »

Shared Knowledge University (SKU): Word on the Street — April 16th thru April 20th

April 22nd, 2012 Kevin Leave a comment

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

Class is in Session

For seven years, we have been committed to “Shared Success.” The concept is simple: What can we do to make our distributors better and to help them be more successful. Their success, in turn, makes us more successful. It requires listening, sharing, and implementing ideas to serve them and their customers.

For the past four years, we’ve talked about “Shared Knowledge.” Shared Knowledge is our commitment to make as much information as possible available to our distributors via our website, our design database, and our past order database. This IP has proven to be invaluable to selling Classic exhibits to your clients. For example, many of the kits on Exhibit Design Search include links to the set-up instructions, graphic dim sheets, and photos of those kits (and variations of those kits).

Shared Knowledge University (SKU)

Now we are embarking on the next phase of this program: SKU — Shared Knowledge University. SKU is a comprehensive group training program at the Classic Exhibits facility in Portland Oregon, the first one will be held Monday and Tuesday, April 23rd and 24th.

Product training is not new to us. We average about one training session every three weeks, but those trainings have been small one-on-one sessions with a distributor and/or their sales team.

SKU is much the same, but also different. There will be 24 people from 10 companies for a group training schedule. The training promises to be comprehensive and intensive over two full days. It will include all the Classic Exhibits lines, as well as ClassicMODUL Aluminum Extrusion, Classic Rentals, Eco-Systems Sustainable Exhibits (by Eric Albery) and Optima Graphics (by David Brown).

The Eco-systems and Optima sessions will focus on their products and services and highlight how their companies partner with Classic Exhibits.

To say we are “excited” for Monday and Tuesday is to minimize how we are approaching these two days. Mel and I see it as our next step in supporting Shared Success.

For those attending, we look forward to seeing you and to having some good “off hours” fun as well. We are excited to show you what Portland offers during our dinner excursions.

For the rest of you, I will report back on the training and hope you will partake in this new program. We plan to make SKU a regular event three times a year. We will announce the next session soon, most likely in September.

On another note. Business continues to be positive. We thank you for your business and hope you are experiencing the same success.

Have a great weekend!

–Kevin Carty

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

Tags: Classic Exhibits, Eco-Systems Sustainable, Optima Graphics, Shared Knowledge University, SKU, training
Posted in Kevin Carty, Word on the Street | No Comments »