Eco-friendly Trade Show Ideas, Consider Digital Posters

Exhibitors looking for eco-friendly trade show ideas may not have considered one perhaps surprising suggestion to replace traditional signage, printed information, and more with digital posters.

Trade show sustainability is an increasingly important industry topic in the post-COVID world, as we recognize, now more than ever, that businesses need in-person opportunities to showcase their brand, connect with new customers, and network with other industry professionals. However, with the vast amount of energy and resources used to create such large-scale events, trade shows can generate an alarming amount of waste. With renewed momentum to prioritize trade show sustainability, exhibitors are considering how they can reduce their carbon footprint and make conscious decisions toward a more eco-friendly future.

In the first part of this post, we'll explore some eco-friendly trade show ideas that exhibitors may want to consider, from improvements in logistics and shipping to the usage of eco-friendly materials in booth design and choosing sustainable giveaways. In the second half of the post, we suggest exhibitors consider the use of digital posters for the multiple benefits sustainable digital signage offers towards reducing both waste and the use of natural resources.

Eco-friendly Trade Show Booth Considerations

1. Logistics and Shipping:

To improve trade show sustainability, consider one of the biggest contributors to an event’s carbon footprint - the logistics and shipping involved in getting materials and equipment to the venue. A good approach is to consolidate shipments and use a freight company that prioritizes eco-friendly practices, thereby reducing the number of shipments and their environmental impact. Another step towards creating an eco-friendly trade show booth is to rent equipment and furniture locally to avoid the need for shipping altogether.

2. Eco-friendly Materials in Booth Design:

The renewed push towards trade show sustainability is now at the forefront of many exhibitors’ minds when designing an eco-friendly trade show booth. That’s why it’s important to consider using eco-friendly materials that will not only be aesthetically appealing but will also help to reduce the environmental impact of your booth. From walls to flooring and even lighting, every component can be made of sustainable materials. Below are some eco-friendly materials that can be used at your booth

• LED Video Walls: LED video walls can replace traditional trade show booth walls, which often require extensive amounts of materials and resources to construct and transport, making them a sustainable interactive, and reusable option. 
• Reclaimed Wood: This is a type of recycled wood that is created from previously used wood, eliminating the need for cutting down trees.
• Bamboo: Bamboo, which grows rapidly in parts of Asia, offers a lightweight and sturdy alternative to conventional wood. It is available in both flooring and paneling options.
• Salvaged Wood: This is a unique wood that is harvested from trees that have naturally fallen or died, instead of being cut down.

Eco-Friendly Exhibit Flooring

• Cork Flooring: This is harvested without harming the tree and is spongy, making it comfortable to stand on for extended periods. 
• Palm Wood: This is sourced from palm trees that are no longer productive in producing coconuts, which are then harvested in an ethical manner to allow new saplings to grow.
• Linoleum: This flooring is made from natural materials such as cork dust, oils, and wood flour, in contrast to vinyl. It's available in a wide range of designs and patterns that can suit your eco-friendly trade show booth's design.
• Glass Tiles: Made entirely from recycled glass, these tiles are not only elegant but also suitable for a variety of sustainable exhibit designs.

Eco-Friendly Exhibit Lighting

• Compact Fluorescent Bulbs: Compared to traditional bulbs, these bulbs consume only a fraction of electricity and are available in various wattages and colors.
• LED Bulbs: Having been in existence for some time now, these light bulbs are well-liked for emitting bright and clean light while consuming roughly 80% less electricity than standard light bulbs. Furthermore, they typically have a lifespan of 10 years or more, which is an added advantage.

3. Sustainable and Eco-friendly Giveaways:

One of the eco-friendly trade show ideas that are gaining prominence is companies exploring new ways to make their swag items green. Using sustainable materials such as renewable resources or recycled materials is an effective way to choose eco-friendly giveaways. Businesses can choose swag items like tote bags made of organic cotton, reusable water bottles made from recycled plastic, or bamboo pens, which can be reused and won't end up in landfills.

Digital Posters - Sustainable Digital Signage

The use of digital posters for trade shows is one option not traditionally included in discussions of eco-friendly trade show ideas. This may be due to the fact that digital signage is not completely carbon neutral, but today’s LED technologies are energy-efficient and significantly reduce an exhibitor’s environmental footprint as an alternative to paper products. In fact, we like to refer to digital posters as sustainable digital signage for the many advantages they offer over printed alternatives.

One major advantage of digital signage is the ability to replace traditional paper posters with dynamic, interactive digital posters. This eco-friendly exhibit option eliminates the need for reprinting and wasting paper, as businesses can update their messages easily and quickly with a few clicks. In addition, digital posters provide a more engaging experience for attendees, allowing them to interact with the content in a more immersive way. 

Our portable digital posters can be combined into large-format LED walls. Replacing paper backdrops with LED walls not only eliminates the need for paper but also offers a long-lasting and reusable option. LED walls have a longer lifespan than traditional backdrops, and can be reconfigured into multiple uses and sizes as well, making them a more sustainable choice. Moreover, LED walls provide a high-quality visual experience that captivates attendees, creating a memorable and engaging trade show booth environment.

Sustainable digital signage is an excellent eco-friendly trade show idea for reducing the need for printed handout materials. On digital posters, businesses can display important information such as product details, company information, and more in a dynamic and engaging manner that can be shared/saved instantly to interested leads using a touchscreen interface. Sharing this information directly to attendees' inboxes or smartphones is an additional step in reducing paper waste, eliminating the need for printed materials altogether. This approach not only saves paper but also helps businesses reduce their carbon footprint, promoting a fully eco-friendly trade show booth concept. 

In conclusion, with the renewed awareness that trade shows play a crucial role in business, there is also increased momentum, as we move away from virtual events to prioritize trade show sustainability by adopting eco-friendly practices. By making conscious decisions about logistics and shipping, using sustainable materials, incorporating alternatives, such as digital posters, and choosing eco-friendly giveaways, exhibitors can take significant steps towards reducing their carbon footprint to have an eco-friendly trade show booth.