Trade shows and exhibitions have a bad reputation of being wasteful. The idea of huge quantities of materials being thrown away after each show is far from the sustainable and environmentally friendly model every business wants to follow.

But we are arguing that exhibitions can be both economical and eco-friendly. Your next exhibition stand can effortlessly fit into your green marketing strategy and it doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune nor cut back on creative design.

Here are a few tips from our expert team on how you can minimise the impact on environment when exhibiting and get on board with ‘going green’ without blowing the budget:

1. For one-off shows, hire a stand

If you’re planning to attend a small number of events, such as an occasional trade show, hiring an exhibition stand will not only save you 35% 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. If your exhibition is taking place abroad, use a supplier with an international network

Using a supplier with an international network will not only help the environment but will also save you money on expensive shipping fees.  With a network of 128 Skyline offices in major cities across the world your stand can be hired locally nearer the exhibition hall, cutting on your business carbon emission and energy.  A dedicated Skyline Whitespace team manages the whole process making your international exhibiting experience stress and hassle-free.

3. For multiple shows, choose a reusable & long lasting modular stand

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. Our aluminium frames can be fully recycled and our modular structures can be reconfigured to different sizes, allowing total flexibility for environmentally friendly exhibiting.  What’s more, no waste is left after stand construction. We also make sure all our partners use recyclable materials.

4. Choose carpet tiles that can be reused & recycled

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. Use LED energy efficient lighting

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. Use QR codes and USBs instead of printing materials

Rethink 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 consider the energy-efficiency, ability to recycle and reuse, and the ease of transport.

Here at Skyline Whitespace, we take sustainability seriously. We design and manufacture 25 types of modular systems that are innovative and long-lasting. Designed to be flexible and reusable, they make an ideal choice for companies that take social responsibility seriously by making their exhibitions ‘greener’.

In addition to that, we choose partners and suppliers carefully making sure they know and use environmentally friendly and suitable practices. Our suppliers don’t cause unnecessary waste and even produce their own green energy.

We also adopt green and sustainable practices in our workspace. We encourage green commuting with our ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme. We support Fruitful Office and plant one fruit tree in Africa for every fruit basket delivered to our office. This means that not only our office gets to enjoy healthy snacks, but we planted 381 trees so far to tackle deforestation and help local communities in Malawi. We also make sustainable choices when it comes to our coffee. We drink fair-trade coffee from Karuna Coffee in partnership with Karuna Action, a small poverty relief charity based in Hampshire, England.

Proud to be one of the leading providers of quality, professional and creative exhibition stands, we’re here to help whatever your exhibiting needs. If you have any questions on the green approach, or for more information about our products or services, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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