The exhibition industry has long struggled with a significant waste problem. Business shows tend to last two to three days, inviting hundreds of exhibitors, who install stands that are inevitably discarded after the show’s duration.
Though there has been a significant market shift to modular exhibition stands in recent years, the shows still generate vast amounts of waste that often end up in landfills.
Nonetheless, exhibitions hold great value to exhibitors and buyers globally, so they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. Take a look below to see the top ways exhibitors can limit their environmental impact!
Sustainable Exhibition Stands
Exhibition stands are the greatest contributor to waste and environmental harm in the industry. For a long time, traditional custom-built exhibition stands have ruled the industry. These stands are made using valuable resources like wood, acrylic, MDF, and vinyl, and they often end up in landfills by the end of the show.
This might not sound too bad, however, these shows have upwards of 300 businesses exhibiting! That’s a lot of waste. Not to mention, the shows are not few and far between. There are over 500 business shows every single year, and that’s just in the UK.
Switching to a sustainable exhibition stand is a simple yet effective way to improve sustainability. Modular exhibition stands are the most sustainable options on the market, as they are based on reuse and reconfiguration. These stands are especially beneficial when exhibiting at a series of shows on a calendar. Even if your stand spaces vary in size or shape, the stand can be reconfigured, looking and feeling new each time.
Quadrant2Design, a UK-based exhibition stand design and build contractor is the leading supplier of modular exhibition stands. The stands are highly customisable, featuring high-impact, large-format graphics, bespoke, and customisable features!
It’s worth conducting due diligence before choosing an exhibition stand contractor. Some sustainability claims are based on recyclability, and unfortunately, due to costs, many of these materials are not actually being recycled once the show has finished. To be safe, aim for a reusable stand.
Exhibition organisers can also increase sustainability at shows by placing limitations on unsustainable stands!
Co-Locate Shows
Co-locating shows is a great way to reduce travel emissions by combining visits into one. The Safety and Security Event Series has had great success in co-locating, bringing 5 brilliant shows under one roof!
Co-locating also significantly reduces costs and the use of resources for exhibitors. Many exhibitors would normally participate in each co-located event separately, meaning they would have expenses for their exhibition stand, promotional items, travel, and more. By co-locating, they can enjoy heightened foot traffic and cross-pollination of visitors without the extra costs. It’s like getting five events for the price of one!
Switch to Eco-Friendly Freebies
Switching your freebies for sustainable alternatives is a great way to lower your environmental impact!
There are many companies dedicated to sustainable merchandise and giveaways, so you can make this change without any hassle or additional time. It can also be helpful to extend these sustainability credentials to your freebies and giveaways as it can support your commitment to these values elsewhere in the business.
Go Paperless
Both exhibitors and show organisers can make efforts to go paperless! Many shows still work with paper passes and printout maps that over time build unnecessary waste in the industry. These can easily be switched to digital passes and downloadable maps.
Similarly, lots of pamphlets, literature and product info are still printed and displayed on exhibition stands. Exhibitors can instead print QR codes on the stand, or display them on table toppers, and they can also incorporate NFC technology to share information. Implementing these changes would significantly reduce environmental impact.
Conclusion
These sustainability measures can drastically reduce the impact of trade shows and exhibitions. By switching to modular, co-locating shows, reducing paper and using sustainable freebies, exhibitors can contribute to a more responsible industry.
Additionally, sustainability is no longer just a buzzword for businesses; it is now a necessity for reducing environmental impact. By extending these claims to the exhibition stand presence, exhibitors can prove their commitment to sustainability throughout the business.
