10 Ways To Make Your Exhibition Stand More Sustainable

1. Consider Your Stand Space

Think about your entire show schedule for the year. If you can book similar sized stands at each location you can reuse your exhibition stand saving time and money, and this will also enable you to use a modular stand which you could reuse at each show.

2. Plan Ahead

Planning your participation at exhibitions with plenty of time to spare will allow you to make sustainable and eco-friendly choices. The nearer you get to the event your choices will be more limited, whether that is due to cost or just needing to get it done rather than planning effectively.

3. Consider Your Graphics

Avoid putting show names or dates on your graphics, meaning you can repurpose them for other events. Can you swap out the substrate for a more environmentally friendly alternative. There are plenty of eco-foamex or non-PVC graphic materials available now days which are made from recyclable material and can be recycled after use.

4. Modular vs Disposable

Choose modular stand systems, rather than a one use, disposable stand made from mdf or wood. Many organisers are now banning one use stands from their events and it’s about time! 

A modular stand means your stand will be made from a modular system of components which slot together and can be dismantled and reused after the event. These systems are now so advanced they are able to be fully customised to your needs and can include a range of features such as angles and curves, av and lighting so you still get a top quality, creative stand to represent your brand. An additional benefit of modular exhibition stands is that they can be rebuilt into different configurations for different trade shows, allowing you to maximise your budget across multiple exhibitions.

Another growing trend is building a stand from recycled cardboard which is easily recycled . Pros of this type of sustainable exhibition stand are that it gives a definite look of a sustainable exhibition stand and says to everyone that you are using recycled materials. It may not be the right for solution for you if it waters down your brand personality or doesn't allow you to fully design your stand in a way that works for you, in which case modular may be a better option in these circumstances as there is no reduction in brand impact and design capability with this method.

5. Flooring

To enhance your sustainable exhibition stand, check with your stand designers what type of flooring you are using at the exhibition. Traditional carpet used for exhibitions is thrown away after the event making it a non-sustainable choice but these days there are a variety of better floorcoverings available such as recyclable, cradle to cradle carpet and vinyl which is returned to source after use and recycled into other products such as garden furniture.

6. Giveaways

Rather than printing lots of brochures and flyers to hand out at your exhibition stand, consider going digital using QR codes to download e-versions of important literature. If you are giving away merchandise there are more sustainable options available from products from sustainable sources such as bamboo to plant seeds. 

To create buzz on your exhibition stand, consider digital activations which will drive traffic to your stand, engage and delight your customers and allow you to collect the data. Examples could include touchscreen or VR games, prize vaults and robotic cameras.

7. Lighting & AV

You don’t want to downgrade the impact of you stand but there are lots of easy swaps you can make to make the lighting and AV elements of your stand more sustainable. LED lighting is much better for the environment, more energy efficient and can easily be used in spotlights, lightwalls and in large areas to create impact and atmosphere.

8. Staff Travel & Accommodation

This is actually one of the highest impact areas of attending an exhibition. Measure the value of 3 days at an exhibition vs the sales trips your team might have to do over the rest of the year to meet the same number of clients so you have an accurate picture of the true carbon cost. 

Consider how many people you actually need on the stand and whether they can share transport to and from the event. Could you consider using public transport rather than driving, particularly on show days? If you book early to secure a hotel within walking distance of your venue could you reduce the number of journeys needed during the show period. 

Some small changes can make all the difference.

9. Minimise Waste

Work in tandem with your stand designer to reduce the waste generated from your stand – ask them about packaging and reuse of stand elements. 

Limit what you take to stand as excess regularly get binned rather than taken home at the event of the show when stand personnel are tired and just want to leave. Consider briefing your team to take personal water bottles onsite and refill rather than ordering stock of single use plastics water bottles, as this is an easy swap which reduces waste. 

If you are providing catering on your stand, speak to the organiser about any local food banks they work with to deal with leftover waste. Go through every element of your stand and look for opportunities to reduce waste and increase sustainability.

10. Measure & Reduce

The best way to look at reducing the environmental impact of your participation at an exhibition is to start by measuring what you currently do and the impact it has so that you can put steps in to reduce for following years. Does your stand design and builder produce a carbon report of your stand or provide recommendations for improvements. 

By starting to measure what you currently do, you can make small steps every year to constantly improve your carbon footprint and make a positive change to the environment.

Sustainable Exhibition Stand Design and Build 

Author

George Green

Sales Director, Tecna UK

George has been with Tecna for 6 years, with vast experience in offering the best return on investment for clients and their goals. He has a strong background in product design, particularly in sustainable design - and is heavily involved in the research and implementation of eco-conscious practices and services within the business.