A carbon-neutral exhibition stand demonstrates a deep commitment to sustainability on the part of your organization. Exhibitions or trade fairs require considerable resources, for example delegates travel around the world to attend using ever-greater amounts of materials and energy.
However, with prudent planning and responsible choices that minimize the carbon footprint of your stand, it is entirely possible to achieve the carbon neutrality goal.
Design from the start for sustainability. Choose a modular, reusable stand. Instead of building a new stand from scratch for every exhibition, work with your partners to create a set-up that can be broken down and popped up in different forms and locations.
Use lightweight but strong materials such as recycled aluminium, sustainably sourced timber such as responsibly harvested softwood and not hardwoods from endangered rainforests or bioplastics. Avoid single-use plastics and compound materials that are hard to recycle. A minimalist approach to design not only lessens waste but also simplifies logistical issues which helps in achieving further cuts in transportation carbon emissions.
Fixings are often overlooked as Carbon creators. Ask about innovative ways of how your stand could be assembled avoiding the use of zinc anodised pins or screws. It’s an exciting challenge for the contractor to overcome.
Research in psychology and marketing both back up the view that people remember multi-sensory experiences far better than those which are just visual. When several senses are being stimulated, the connections between them grow deeper and deeper. This increases recall and the emotional impact.
For exhibitors, that means more engagement from visitors. This is typically higher when more than one sense is activated. Where a booth only involves people walking past it, one which provides sensory design will draw them in and make them happy to stand there for an entire hour just talking with each other. Sensory design also assists visitor access and use, as diverse sensory cues make for lower barriers that people of all ages and abilities can offer to connect through.
Where possible, choose local suppliers to reduce the distance over which materials must be transported and thus also their associated emissions. Ask for environmental certifications such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification of wood or ISO 14001 for evidence from suppliers that they have established systems controlling pollution and waste production.
Printing graphics or signage, use water-based inks and print them on recyclable substrates. Fabric graphics which are printed with eco-friendly dyes will give you the best of both worlds, sharing many qualities with paper prints while at the same time their environmental friendliness means they can be reused or recycled more easily.
A successful sensory design strategy requires balance and unity. Each sense should be supportive of the overall narrative and brand story rather than competing for attention. Exhibition spaces can establish emotional connections that last after people leave the event by crafting each sensory layer with care.
At Avondale Exhibitions, sensory design is seen as much more than just an add-on. It is the bedrock of experiential storytelling. Their philosophy centers on creating meaningful moments that immerse audiences, stir emotion and leave lasting impressions.
Install energy-efficient lighting such as LED systems and introduce smart controls so that power consumption while the stand is empty can be minimized. If the organizer allows it, ask to use green electricity at your stand. Demonstrating your own use of green energy also advances your green message and reduces operating carbon emissions.
Install energy-efficient lighting such as LED systems and introduce smart controls so that power consumption while the stand is empty can be minimized. If the organizer allows it, ask to use green electricity at your stand. Demonstrating your own use of green energy also advances your green message and reduces operating carbon emissions.
In spite of all the leaps forward, there are still some emissions you just cannot dodge. Work out your total carbon footprint produced by all the ingredients, activity and energy use around your stand and invest in certified carbon offset projects such as reforestation, renewable energy or community-based carbon reduction programs.
Responsible design, conscious sourcing, efficient logistics and carbon offsetting are combined so that an exhibition stand can serve not just as a marketing tool but also, on your part, holder of the environmental leadership statement. Avondale Exhibitions will start working today on making your stand carbon neutral.
Contact us by calling us 01495 271150 or email us ian@avondaleexhibitions.com or fill out our online contact form to enhance your exhibition.
