Trade Show News

Attending trade shows has a lot of upsides. From making new connections to boosting brand awareness to mingling with others in the industry, there are many reasons companies invest so much time and energy into these events. An aspect that could be improved, however, is the amount of waste trade shows produce. The public is more tuned into sustainability matters than ever, with 80% of U.S. consumers saying they are somewhat or very concerned about the environmental impact of the products they buy. By taking steps to reduce waste at an exhibition, you can stand out among the crowd while helping to lessen its impact. Here are five ideas to guide you.

Go paperless

The smartphone in the pocket of nearly every attendee makes the move toward a paperless trade show possible. Instead of handing out fliers, pamphlets or fact sheets, display a QR code to direct people to your information online. If you’re inviting people to register for a future event, newsletter or membership, that can easily be made digital as well. Not only does a paperless booth reduce waste, but you’ll also likely end up saving time and money on materials, printing, and the hauling of stacks of pamphlets from place to place.

Steer clear of single-use plastics

One of the easier ways individuals can reduce their environmental impact is by avoiding single-use plastics. About 32% of U.S. adults say they’ve decreased their use of single-use plastic in the past five years, and that movement is likely to continue. Think of this as an opportunity—hand out stainless steel water bottles to encourage good habits while getting more eyes on your brand. Your team members can also keep their bottles, or a branded stainless steel mug or tumbler, nearby to model these behaviors and increase visibility.

Donate or recycle leftover materials

When the exhibition ends, take down your booth with an eye toward reducing waste. If you find single-use plastic bags, bottles or papers lying around, recycle what you can. Donate any leftover food, unused products and other materials, if applicable. Let the breakdown and cleanup process inform future ordering decisions. Maybe there are opportunities to transport items in reusable tote bags instead of vessels that end up being thrown out.

To take recycling a step further, consider a booth rental instead of transporting or building your own. Booth rentals are growing in popularity, and the deal may even offer logistics support, reducing the time and effort required from your team.

Reuse what you can

During takedown, think about what materials or items can be reused—ideally over and over. For example, gently opened cardboard boxes can be repurposed. Other packaging materials, like bags and wraps, might be salvageable. Tablecloths and decorations can likely be used again and again.

Urge your team members to think about possibilities. When a bright idea emerges, offer a drawstring sportpack or backpack as a reward. The branded bags can be used for every event to show off your logo and give the team a united and professional look.

Discuss your efforts

You will probably find that fellow trade show vendors are interested in reducing waste at exhibitions too. You might be competing for attention during the event, but when it comes to reducing waste, we’re all on the same team. Conversations about your efforts may lead to new ideas or opportunities for you to share tips with others.

Exhibit a focus on reducing waste

Our attention on cutting back waste is likely to increase as time goes on. That’s true for organizations and customers alike. By avoiding paper and single-use plastics; choosing to donate, recycle or reuse what you can; and sharing ideas with fellow exhibitors and attendees, you can do your part to make an impact—and show customers you care.