Sustainability

Sustainability

We aim for all of our events to be run in an environmentally and socially responsible way whilst seeking to inspire sustainable development in our markets.

We do this not only because more than 80% of our attendees tell us that they care that our events are run in a responsible manner, but because it is the right thing to do for our customers, colleagues, and the communities we serve. We would like to encourage you to join our sustainability efforts by completing the 10-point checklist enclosed in this document. By working together, we can make the event more memorable, meet our audience’s expectations and reduce wasted time, resources, and costs.

▶ 10 Things to Remember

  1. Ensure your stand is designed so that its structure will be used again by either you or your contractors.
  2. For your travel and transport, choose the most sustainable option possible for your journey to and from the event. Consolidate your shipments and use logistic companies that have sustainability credentials.
  3. Select energy-efficient, LED lighting and other equipment for your stand and be sure to power down your equipment at the end of the day.
  4. Reduce paper handouts by going digital and source recycled, sustainably certified paper options where printing is needed.
  5. When purchasing promotional items, consider the quantity of your order, the environmental credentials of the materials used to make them, and whether they are useful giveaways that will be used long after the event is over.
  6. Help to support the sustainability of the local area by using local suppliers and considering the sustainability credentials of the hotels you book.
  7. Think about what waste your stand will create and try to minimize it as much as possible. For the unavoidable waste items, try to ensure it will be recycled. Key items to consider include signage, carpeting and packaging waste.
  8. Get involved with the numerous initiatives and conversations throughout the event which aim to help facilitate and inspire the sustainable development of your industry.
  9. Inspire the sustainable development of your industry by promoting your company’s and your products’ sustainability credentials.
  10. Ensure you and your contractor are aware of and compliant with all health, safety, and security requirements.

▶ Do you know what happens to your stand?

Have you ever considered what happens to your stand after the event? Although used by only a minority of our exhibitors, the use of single-use, “build and burn” stands that last only a few days is a significant source of waste. One single stand can create around 4 tonnes of waste. They also take longer to build, are riskier to plan and can contain a lot of hidden costs. We would like to encourage every one of our exhibitors to join us in working towards the prevention of this unnecessary waste.

▶ What is a disposable stand?

The structure of a stand (e.g., the walls) is made to be used only once and is therefore demolished and disposed of at the end of the event.

▶ What is a reusable stand?

The structure is made using a system designed for multiple uses and in different formats and sizes to suit the client's style. It can be owned by the client or most often rented from a contractor.

▶ Benefits of building a non-disposable stand

  1. Faster, cleaner, and safer builds with a more reliable timeline – Benefits of building a non-disposable stand no stress!
  2. Reduced costs due to a lower waste bill and fewer labour hours
  3. Higher quality look and feel for your stand
  4. Demonstrates your company’s commitment to sustainability with a lower environmental impact

▶ How you can make a difference

When choosing your contractor, ensure they use a process that allows them to reuse the structure of the stand time and again. Specify it in your tender and ask them to confirm what will happen to the stand after the show.