Going green, being more eco-friendly and watching your carbon footprint, are all phrases that every business has to take more seriously. While the benefits are obviously environmental, going greener can also help you boost profits by cutting out waste and drive brand loyalty too.
While it’s quite straight forward to be eco-friendly in your work place, how do you stay green when exhibiting at events?
Trade shows and exhibitions have a bad reputation of being wasteful and the idea of huge quantities of materials being thrown away after each show is far from sustainable.
As Skyline Whitespace explains, exhibitions can be both economical and eco-friendly and your next exhibition or event can effortlessly fit into your green marketing strategy
1. One off show? Time to hire
If you’re planning to attend a small number of events, such as an occasional trade or business expo, hiring an exhibition stand will not only save you a considerable amount on the purchasing cost, but it will also be re-usable. Rental exhibition stands can be easily re-skinned and reconfigured to reflect your new messaging or brand reducing any unnecessary waste.
2. Take advantage of international suppliers
Using a supplier with an international network, will not only help the environment but will also save you money on expensive shipping fees. Many suppliers have a network of offices in major cities across the world, so your stand can be hired locally nearer the exhibition hall, cutting on your business carbon emission and energy. Some suppliers will also have teams that manage the whole process for you, ensuring your international exhibiting experience is hassle-free.
3. Choose reusable stands
Modular exhibition stands are an efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly option for businesses that attend multiple shows per year. Modular exhibition stands are reusable, reconfigurable and recyclable. Aluminium frames can be fully recycled and modular structures can be reconfigured to different sizes, allowing total flexibility for environmentally friendly exhibiting.  What’s more, no waste is left after your stand has been constructed.
4. Recyclable flooring
Carpet tiles are durable and easy to clean which makes them a perfect reusable and green flooring solution. You can also dispose of them in an eco-friendly manner. Carpet tiles can be recycled by separating the fibres and turned into yarns or moulded into plant pots. If carpet tiles are not right for your exhibition stand, choose flooring made from natural materials that can be recycled after the exhibition.
5. Keep your lighting efficient
To increase your eco-friendliness, replace standard light fixtures on your exhibition stand with energy efficient lighting. LED lights contain no toxic elements, draw less power and are up to 80% more efficient than traditional lighting. Energy efficient light bulbs cost less to operate; they come in a range of colours to fit your exhibiting needs and last longer than traditional bulbs reducing the need for frequent replacements.
6. Embrace digital, stay paperless
You can start being more green today just by rethinking your printed promotional materials. QR codes, USBs and digital hand-outs are a great way to communicate your marketing messages and stay green at exhibitions. They save paper, ink, solvents, energy and time. If you do have to print, make sure to use recycled paper or paper from sustainable forests.
The ‘going green’ concept may feel like just the latest trend, but it is a trend that will help protect the environment and will greatly benefit your business. When planning your next exhibition or event consider the energy-efficiency, ability to recycle and reuse, and the ease of transport.
Author: Adam Parry
Adam is the co-founder and editor of www.eventindustrynews.com Adam, a technology evangelist also organises Event Tech Live, Europe’s only show dedicated to event technology and the Event Technology Awards. Both events take place in November, London.
