Creating More Sustainable Exhibition Stands

As event organisers, we are making changes towards a more sustainable future for events and exhibitions.

The UN has warned that the earth will become uninhabitable unless drastic action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. With so much at stake, many companies are now examining their environmental impact as an urgent priority.

Sustainability in the corporate events industry has become a growing concern for conscientious business leaders. It’s easy to understand why. Research shows that the average exhibition attendee will generate approximately 170 kg of CO2 emissions per day. Meanwhile, an estimated 1,000,000 tonnes of waste are produced by trade shows each year, with more than half going straight to landfill. Networking and face-to-face connection are still crucial components for success in the majority of industries. Therefore, many business leaders are now looking for ways to attend events more sustainably.

As event organisers, we are leading the charge on sustainable events. We have been examining our practices to create a more sustainable future of events. Here are three steps we are taking to reduce the impact of our custom-built exhibition stands on the planet…

1. Working With Local Producers

Many UK exhibition companies will manufacture exhibition stand parts in the UK before shipping them overseas for international conferences and events. Naturally, the transportation of these stand parts has a huge carbon footprint associated. Instead, we work with a trusted network of local suppliers for overseas events to manufacture our custom stands in the event’s host country. This reduces unnecessary shipping and unnecessary travel. Typically, only one member of our team will need to travel overseas to coordinate the build, with other companies ordinarily sending entire teams to assemble the stand.

This is beneficial for both the environment and our clients, as it allows us to provide cost savings and avoid any issues with international customs. Since Brexit, the process of shipping stands to EU countries has become increasingly difficult for UK companies. Unfortunately, there have been many instances of UK exhibitors arriving at the venue only to discover that their stand has not arrived due to complications in the process.

2. Reusing and Repurposing

Wherever possible, we reuse and repurpose stand parts, creating something entirely new from the old. We keep an inventory of stand parts that are no longer in use and incorporate them into new designs where possible. What’s more, we view our stands as long-term investments as opposed to “one-use” items. Our stands are designed to be taken apart and reassembled at multiple shows. A well-made, timeless stand can be used for many years before it need be replaced.

3. Transportation

All Fyber Live vehicles are now 100% electric. Our staff also take public transport to events where we can to keep our individual carbon footprints low. We’re all trying to do our part as a team to reduce our impact on the planet.

Helping You to Create Sustainable Events and Exhibitions

Here at Fyber Live, we are working towards a more sustainable future for the events industry. Undoubtedly, corporate events can have a huge environmental cost but we believe that, by taking steps big and small, we can all help to reduce our impact on the planet. We also encourage exhibitors to be eco-conscious in their event planning, using the least resources possible to create maximum impact.