Hopefully, everyone understands the importance of taking care of the planet we live on, in order to guarantee a wonderful future for our kids, and their families. When you’re buying household goods, most brands will jump in and tell you they’re eco-friendly at the very first opportunity! Now that makes life much easier – you can make your buying decisions quickly.
But how about when you’re buying goods for your company/business? Do you care as much then about being eco-friendly? Do you feel the pressure to buy cheaply or do you know that saving the planet is the last thing your boss cares about?
It's really hard to do the right thing sometimes, but we’ve put together a few tips on how to make sure your exhibitions, events, conferences, and trade shows are as kind on the planet as they can be.
Tip #1 | Materials
Take a look at the materials being used in your stand construction. Often fabric displays like these are much kinder to the environment as they require fewer processes in their production and the material itself is often more natural. We also use recyclable aluminium in our framing and extrusions. At Brandstand, we’re upfront about our eco commitment and you’ll find details here.
Tip #2 | Graphics Printing
Make sure the graphics printing is ‘dye sublimated’. Not only does this process create more realistic, more impactful graphics, but the process is also more eco-friendly because it uses heat to vaporise the dye and permeate the surface it is covering. There are no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) which are often associated with solvent printing and the inks are water-based. This infusion also means the dye fades much less than in other processes. So basically, it’s a win-win situation!
Tip #3 | Stand Waste
Think about the waste you create on the stand and how it is disposed of. Are you serving drinks and nibbles? Consider eco-friendly cups, disposable bamboo plates, and cutlery too - view Disposable tableware
Tip #4 | Staff Uniforms
It easy to forget about the uniforms that your stand staff might be wearing. Try to source eco-friendly gear that uses natural fibres. And if it’s being printed, consider the process used. It may be better to embroider, which is kinder on the environment, lasts longer and often looks a little more ‘premium’.
Tip #5 | Re-use
When creating a stand solution, think about the future and how elements might be used in different ways at other events, conferences, trade shows etc. This means you get the very most out of your investment. Many of the exhibition systems these days can be fitted together in different ways to give you heaps of display options. At Brandstand, we always ask lots of questions about what you need now AND what you need in the future so that we can provide a solution that works for a number of different occasions (and perhaps not just the one you’re thinking about right now – it’s called ‘customer service’ ).
Tip #6 | Reduce
Find clever ways to get your message across, that doesn’t use paper. Giving someone a leaflet has a pretty low engagement factor so why not get them to a touch screen so that they interact with your brand. How about a QR code on a business card, so they can research your product later? If you must use leaflets, then print on eco-friendly stock wherever possible.
Tip #7 | Freight
Light stands are easier to move around!
Big heavy stands take a lot of fuel to move around! The new fabric exhibition systems are really light and can be packed down into small bags. This means that your staff can transport the gear in their cars rather than adding a freight truck into the mix. Less fuel, fewer cars on the road, less chance of your gear NOT turning up!
Tip #8 | Lighting
We all know what a difference good lighting can make, but consider LED and low energy lighting solutions which not only deliver great effects but also suck less juice. This means your stand requires less load, and the event electrician will have a smile on his/her face!
Tip #9 | Suppliers
Ask the event organisers about their eco policies as well as the companies that are supplying your stands. How do they work in their own production facilities? How do they dispose of waste in their warehouses and production facilities?
Tip #10 | Car Pooling
No doubt you have various people working on your stand. Encourage car pooling by limiting the number of parking passes you give out. Less cars on the road, less fuel – it’s all good.
Did you know?
WE RUN TRANS-TASMAN CAMPAIGNS
We work with our sister company in Sydney to deliver truly Trans Tasman campaigns. The combined team will take care of all the production, project management and logistics in both New Zealand and Australia, ensuring your budget is optimised and your stress levels are reduced!