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to ensure surfaces are fully sanitised .
Sustainability When it comes to sustainability , things are moving forward at pace we ’ re delighted to say . Historically , we ’ ve experienced many instances when sustainability was little more than a tickbox for procurement departments . Now , more switched-on businesses are asking designers and suppliers for serious proof of environmental sustainability . ‘ Beware greenwashing ’ is the clear message .
Globally , approximately 32,000 exhibitions take place each year , featuring 4.5m exhibiting companies and attracting over 303m visitors . That ’ s a lot of potential wastage . As we know , it ’ s the associated cost that is the greatest barrier to change . It is a burden that has to be shared realistically between buyer and seller . On the client side , businesses and procurement departments now have a corporate responsibility not to go for the lowest bidder - as so many still do – and accept that the cost associated with not doing business sustainably is ultimately at the expense of the environment .
Exhibition stands need to be designed with re-use and repurposing in mind . For clients who exhibit at several shows a year , a reconfigurable kit with a lifespan of five to 10 years can make a significant impact on reducing carbon footprints . For those
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wanting a modular , re-usable exhibition kit – or for whom it ’ s less relevant for one-off shows or events – we offer a ‘ made for metamorphosis ’ approach , where components can be adapted for different uses , rather than going to landfill . Think event or merchandising backdrop , pop-up shop or garden shed .
Investing in displays that fit into smaller vehicles helps too by lowering fuel consumption and transport costs . Minimising a display ’ s volumetric capacity can include using semi-rigid , rollable or tension-fabric graphics , rolled into spacesaving carry bags and graphics drums . If clients want rigid graphics , a display can be created that pieces together smaller graphic panels . Lighting is also offers myriad energyefficient alternatives , from ever-reputable lightemitting diodes ( LEDs ), to
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eco halogens and compact fluorescent lightbulbs ( CFLs ). Powerful and engaging presentations , showreels and interactive experiences can also be achieved using sophisticated tech that ’ s kinder to the environment too . Flat screens , interactive surfaces , and smart technology are all making regular appearances at expos across the globe with energyefficient options .
As exhibitors increasingly require environmentallyfriendly graphic substrates , availability has followed suit too , including honeycomb board - a rigid substrate made from 100 % recyclable material . Recycled cardboards and sustainablysourced wood are other potential candidates for a ‘ green ’ stand substrate . Printing is another area ripe for improvement . Traditional processes often use petroleum-based , or
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other solvent-based inks , which release volatile organic compounds ( VOCs ) when drying . These are greenhouse gases and a definite contributor to global warming . Offset printing alone releases around 500,000 tonnes of VOCs into the atmosphere annually . We encourage clients to use printing processes that eliminate solvents or to use waterless ink to eliminate the release of VOCs . Where we can ’ t reuse or recycle , we repurpose , using leftover carpet , for example , to line crates to ship exhibits .
None of us can read the future completely , but the essence of futureproofing is about reading the present tense both explicitly and implicitly . What do we think the exhibitions and events of the future will be ? Hybrid , meta , safe , clean , modular and green . Bring them on . EN
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October — 45 |