Going green with exhibitions and events

Did you know that according to Climate Trade, the global events industry’s annual carbon footprint is responsible for over 10% of global CO2 emissions?

Or that conferences generate around 1.89 kg of waste per attendee per day?

Perhaps the environmental impact of exhibitions and conferences shouldn’t be a surprise.

Think about the energy consumed in lighting, heating and cooling a large venue, or powering the equipment used in demonstrations and presentations.

Then consider the emissions from transport used by delegates and exhibitors to get to and from a conference or expo, and the emissions from machinery used in an event’s set-up.

Waste is another key issue. As an example, according to Climate Trade, 1.2 million advertising banner stands are produced every year – that is 550 tonnes of PVC graphics that could end up in landfill.

Signage, temporary displays, printed brochures and business cards can all end up in the rubbish bin. With a lot of hungry, coffee-swigging exhibitors in a building, food and drink packaging waste can be produced in large quantities. And booth construction packaging also adds to the waste pile.

In addition, exhibitions are also resource hungry. Running an events venue requires large quantities of water for refreshments and sanitation, while exhibitors’ marketing materials can collectively use up huge amounts of paper.

However, trade shows, exhibitions and conferences are an essential and popular way of promoting businesses, and engaging with contacts and prospects, face to face. And we’re certainly huge fans of them!

So what difference can you make?

As an exhibitor or delegate, you may have little say on venue choice or location. However you can still have a positive impact on environmental sustainability, by refreshing your approach to marketing at expos and conferences.

Greening your exhibition stand

This is a great place to start.

More and more suppliers are providing eco-friendly materials that are recyclable, reusable, or biodegradable for event stands and graphics.

Consider using bamboo, recycled cardboard and FSC-certified wood in your stand construction, and look at sourcing banner vinyl or fabrics made from recycled material. If you are serious about sustainability, PVC should be avoided where possible

You can also futureproof your exhibition banners to give them longer lifespans: consider omitting any text or images that might ‘date’ a banner, such as accreditation logos, date-specific text and soon to be obsolete product photos. An animation or slides, shown on a screen, will enable you to tailor content and messaging to each event and its audience, without the need to reprint banners each time.

In addition, many banner stand systems enable you to ‘re-skin’ the stand while keeping the original structure/framework: in this case, there isn’t a requirement to order an entirely new system every time you rebrand or introduce new products or services to your range.

Lastly, if you need spotlights or other lighting effects on your stand, consider energy saving LED options.

Promotional materials – look for the sustainable alternatives…

Brochures and flyers can be printed on recycled paper. What’s more, some printing companies now offer the option of printing materials with eco-friendly inks – such as vegetable-based inks.

Business cards, too, can be printed on recycled paper or card. Bamboo and renewable wood fibre cards are also available.

To reduce carbon emissions from transport, source promotional materials from local suppliers where possible.

And as an alternative to printing brochures, you can also use a QR code on your banner stand, tablet or phone which links to a downloadable brochure or a website page.

A greener approach to event merchandise…

Greening your event merchandise

Giveaways on your event stand can attract delegates, spark engagement and further the reach of your brand. However, merchandise is often manufactured from plastic.

Thankfully, an increasing range of more environmentally sustainable options is available, as suppliers respond to demand from eco-conscious businesses.

If you are giving away branded bags, opt for bags made from organic cotton, jute, hemp or recycled materials, rather than plastic.

Offering water bottles, mugs or flasks? Ensure these are made from materials such as stainless steel, bamboo, glass or recycled plastic, rather than single use plastic.

Clothing merchandise, such as t-shirts or beanie hats, can also be made from sustainable materials, such as bamboo, organic cotton and recycled polyester.

If you are looking for something a little different, giving away branded, biodegradable seed packets is a fun way of engaging with delegates – chilli seeds, wildflower seeds and even tree seeds are available!

Branded pot plants can help delegates add some greenery to their own homes and offices, and planted pencils (pencils with seeds inside), from Sprout, are designed to give a pencil a second life.

If you are considering tech giveaways, items such as recycled paper USBs and bamboo power banks are available, and solar powered chargers, flashlights and fans are useful, practical gifts.

Overall, it’s best to avoid ‘throwaway’ merchandise – it’s better for the environment and better for long-term brand recognition too!

Rethinking travel and accommodation

To reduce the carbon footprint of an expo or conference, consider car sharing: are there any fellow exhibitors or delegates that you could coordinate a journey with?

Many venues are also close to good public transport links, and you can use tools such as sustainabletrabel.org to calculate your journey’s carbon footprint and compare modes of transport.

If you need to stay overnight for an event, it’s important to choose accommodation which implements good sustainability practices – look for hotels meeting Green Key or Green Tourism standards.

Measuring and evaluating your impact

Measuring the impact of exhibiting or attending events should form part of your overall environmental sustainability practices. Carbon accounting software – such as Normative, Greenly and Persefoni – can assist with this.

It’s vital to continually evaluate your exhibition practices for sustainability and seek feedback to identify areas for improvement.

So what does ‘going green’ at exhibitions and events mean for your business?

Firstly, taking a more environmentally sustainable approach to exhibitions and events strengthens your brand by showing you are conscious about environmental impact.

If you are looking to recruit new staff, it’s worth considering that more people (especially those from the Gen Z demographic) value employers who demonstrate ethical values and align with theirs. Research from Deloitte has found that 55% of Gen Zs research a company’s environmental impact and policies before accepting a job.

And crucially, ‘going green’ at exhibitions and events demonstrates that your ESG policy is being actioned, and demonstrates to customers and prospects that you align with their own commitments to sustainability.

If you’d like support in ‘going green’ with your event materials and marketing, we’re here to help. Contact us here or call us on 0345 075 5955.