Trade shows generate a staggering 600,000 tons of waste annually, as revealed by Trade Show News Network. On average, each attendee contributes 3.5 lbs of material waste - with only 26% of it being recycled. Taking into account the carbon emissions from transportation to these events, food wastage, and booth materials, as mentioned by Meetings Net, the ecological footprint of trade shows is astonishing. However, several steps can be taken to minimize the environmental impact at trade shows. Let's explore five environmentally friendly event suggestions to decrease the ecological toll at your upcoming trade show.
#1. Opt for Renting
Choosing to rent can significantly diminish your ecological footprint. By renting, you avoid purchasing trade show materials like flooring, furniture, signage, and other displays that end up as waste. Rental items are reused by various exhibitors, minimizing overall waste production. Additionally, renting lowers the emissions generated from transporting your trade show materials. Moreover, many rental companies offer environmentally friendly options such as energy-efficient lighting systems.
#2. Employ Local Talent
Air travel is one of the major environmental issues associated with trade shows. Instead of flying out multiple team members which can be expensive as well, consider hiring local trade show experts. These professionals can manage your booth and represent your products effectively. Available for hire are assistants, models, and presenters. Additionally, you can engage them for creative services like photography and videography. By hiring locally, you contribute to reducing the carbon emissions usually caused by travel activities.
#3. Distribute Environmentally Friendly SWAG
Swag and branded merchandise are excellent methods for expressing gratitude to customers and attracting new business. Instead of providing disposable, undesired items, consider environmentally friendly alternatives like reusable tote bags, eco-friendly drinkware, clothing made from sustainable materials, or recycled paper notebooks. These options can be customized with your brand colors, logo, and tagline, resulting in high-quality and memorable presents that create a lasting positive brand impression.
#4. Implement Energy-Efficient Lighting
An eye-catching lighting design can make a booth stand out at trade shows. Regrettably, using excessive lighting can lead to high energy consumption, negatively impacting both your budget and the environment. However, you don't have to sacrifice attractive lighting – simply choose energy-efficient options such as LEDs and CFLs for your booth's illumination. This switch will significantly reduce your overall lighting consumption.
#5. Promote Recycling and Composting
Set up recycling and composting facilities at your booth, allowing visitors to responsibly dispose of their waste. Establishing these systems is quite straightforward; simply collaborate with local waste management or the event organizer to arrange disposal and collection or transportation. This additional service not only attracts guests to your booth but also demonstrates your company's commitment to addressing customer needs and protecting the environment.
To conclude, implementing these 5 tips for going green at trade shows can greatly contribute to sustainability efforts in the event industry. By choosing eco-friendly materials, minimizing waste, conserving energy, promoting sustainable transportation, and engaging attendees in green practices, you can reduce their environmental impact and inspire others to follow suit. UltraTend can help you become a sustainability advocate so that you can serve as a platform for raising awareness about the importance of environmental responsibility. With our holistic approach of imbibing various aspects of sustainability in exhibitions and 8+ years of industry experience, we can bring you the edge that can set you apart from the competition. So, buckle up and reach out for a free consultation now at +44 20 3807 9480 or mail us at sales@ultratend.com to drop your query today!
For knowledge-sharing and insightful content, subscribe to our daily blogs at https://www.ultratend.com/blog, and for regular updates on industry news, do follow our official LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ultratend/
Comments