Businesses worldwide are prioritising sustainability more than ever (as they should be!) and they’re not the only ones. Customers are consciously choosing brands that put focus on sustainability – in fact, 36% of UK customers say they always or often solely buy from eco-friendly brands (source).

To avoid losing customers or putting off potential customers, you should be considering more sustainable options when it comes to trade shows too. Plus, it’s likely to set you apart from your competitors.

There are many things that can be done to reduce your carbon footprint and overall impact on the planet, it just takes planning and consideration – which is something your stand designer can help with.

In this blog, we’ll be expanding on some of our top tips for sustainable exhibiting, so that you can create a stand that makes a positive impact (in more ways than one).

Sustainable stand designs 

Designing a stand to be reusable is crucial. If your calendar is filled with a variety of exhibitions, creating a stand that can be updated and edited along the way (instead of building new stands) is key. 

Ideally, the framework and structure of your stand should stay the same, but elements such as graphic design can be re-designed multiple times. 

Clever graphic design 

When it comes to sustainable graphic design, there are two main options:

1. Creating a clever graphic design that is accessible and appropriate for every event, so it will not need to be changed.
2. A design that can be interchangeable so you can chop and change graphics depending on the different show demographics or target industries.

Same stand, different size 

Stands can also be configured and built to change in size, which is ideal for those who find themselves in a small space one minute, then a large the next. This level of flexibility allows for sustainability to truly come into play.

Giveaways that keep on giving  

Promotional items are often given the nickname ‘landfill’, which we hate! Your promotional items should not be designed to end up in the ground – not only is this awful for the environment, but also for your business. If you’re spending money on promotional gifts, you want to ensure that they’ll be used for years to come. 

Your giveaway items should be: 

• Reusable – e.g. bags, mugs, bottles, trolley coins, etc.
• Made from sustainable materials – bamboo, paper, seed paper, cork, fabric, etc.
• Relevant to your brand and messaging
• Made from recycled materials

Be Exhibitions particularly like reusable notebooks (such as Rocketbooks) as they’re eco-friendly, brandable and entirely reusable. They’re also interactive with technology as well as very useful – what more could you want?!

It’s also worth considering the use of QR codes on your stand instead of brochures or business cards. These links provide all the relevant information in a way that is much kinder to the planet – and cheaper than printing stacks of brochures. It may also put you one step ahead of the competition in terms of sustainability and advanced thinking. 

Talk to your stand builder 

Just like you, stand builders are also needing and wanting to reuse materials, find more sustainable options, and provide eco-friendly credentials. Sometimes, just chatting to your stand builder about the options available to you will open up a variety of possibilities. 

If you begin your exhibition stand journey with the aim to create something sustainable, reusable, and planet-friendly – and you discuss this with your stand builder – you can achieve it. 

Be Exhibitions truly care about the planet 

As one of our core values, we will alway try our hardest to prioritise sustainability. 

To do so, we: 

• Carbon offset each project as members of Mossy Earth. As an organisation that rewild and reforest in the areas that need it the most, Mossy Earth plants trees on our behalf. (Find out more about how we work with them: https://beexhibitions.co.uk/keeping-it-green-one-tree-at-a-time/)
• Reuse flooring
• Reuse graphics and framework of purchased stands 
• Encourage clients to look at the long-term – creating stands that are reusable and adaptable

Wherever we can prioritise eco-friendly options, we will! 

 Go eco with Be Exhibitions 

Exhibiting at trade shows is incredibly exciting and valuable, but it shouldn’t be done at the expense of the planet. And it doesn’t need to be. 

When you work with us, we can guarantee that your stand will be carbon neutral and sustainable, without compromising on quality. 

If you’d like to start putting the planet first, give us a call.