Seven Tips for Greener Exhibiting

Here are our top seven tips to lessen the impact your exhibiting and promotional printing has on the environment.

1. Plan Your Exhibit - You will be surprised at how much material, wastage, and most importantly money you can save but planning in advance how much of everything you will need to successfully exhibit. Make a note of all factors such as time, order of setting up your booth, how much promotional material to use, even the most efficient route to get to the venue!

2. Use a Company that Practices Green Printing - as the eco-friendly mindset permeates through the market more and more companies are offering their services for green products. Sometimes they are a bit more expensive, but is worthwhile as it presents your brand as a socially conscious business.

3. Give Customers Incentives Not To Use Materials - a prime example is that of bags, maybe give a customer a discount or access to exclusive content if they choose not to use a bag. An incentive for not using the material is preferable to a punishment for using it, such as a charge for bags as this can leave the customer with a negative experience with your company. Directing customers to a web site instead of giving them a catalogue is another way to decrease the usage of raw materials.

4. Recycled Materials - banners, booths, bags, plastics; just a small selection of products that are now available made from recycled materials. Again this does a positive thing for your brand image.

5. Rent Instead of Buying - there are many companies that offer full trade show booth rentals, which can be used several times. Obviously this limits how much customisation and flexibility you can have on your exhibit, but if you are an infrequent exhibitor this might be the option to go for.

6. Energy Efficient Lighting - lighting can play a big part in your exhibit, but nowadays many energy efficient light bulbs are just as effective as 'normal' ones.  This is one of those small changes that multiplied by the annual exhibitors in the country can make a big difference.

7. Green Giveaways - prizes to win green products, sample of green materials or a prize for a customer reducing their impact on the environment. Build up customer loyalty and improve your company's image.

For more information on green printing techniques and policies visit this link for an example of recyclable banner printing.

Chicago Streets Ahead with Lamppost Banner Auctions

Came across a novel idea regarding PVC advertising banner "recycling" where some lateral thinking has resulted in the city of Chicago auctioning street and lamppost banners to the public. The annual “Sharing It” banner auction, which benefits the needy, has seen banners from public events been sold to raise money for charities within the city.
One highlight was the sale of a Chicago White Sox 2005 World Series Championship street banner, which was sold for $515. This was from their world series run and was signed by pitcher Mark Buehrle aka 'Mr. Perfect'.
The live auction sells street pole banners produced by the city and other organizations that promote events, festivals, exhibitions & special occasions and theatre.
Other highlights from this year’s auction are Blackhawks playoff banners signed by Hall of Famers Stan Mikita and Denis Savard, Jersey Boys and Dirty Dancing banners courtesy of Broadway in Chicago and from the Museum of Science & Industry, banners highlighting the Harry Potter exhibit.

I'm not sure if anyone would start something like that here in the UK but until they do another option of course is to opt for an eco-friendly PVC free recyclable banners and reduce the harm banner printing has on the environment.