According to the National Building Specification (NBS) Sustainable Futures Report, 54% of construction professionals state that environmental sustainability is an important aspect of the projects they work on. 9 out of every 10 respondents worked on a project with sustainable outcome targets[1].
However, when it comes to the production process of a development or building, sustainability is most likely considered during the design stages. 84% of construction professionals stated that sustainability is ideally considered at the strategy and brief stage of a project, this decreased to 59% at the design stage, 38% at the construction and handover stage with a final 36% stating sustainability had ideally been considered when the building had been ready to use.
This same decline in sustainability integration is present when construction companies choose to exhibit at one of the UK’s 190 national and regional construction events and exhibitions.
Edward Marshall, Co-founder and Creative Director at custom exhibition stand company Motive Exhibitions shares his knowledge of the events and exhibitions industry for construction and built companies who are looking to integrate sustainability from stand concept through to reuse.
Think Timber
Using timber for event stands is a popular choice, driven by its sustainability, aesthetics and versatility. Using this material for your stand structure as well as any displays and furniture, will support your sustainability efforts from the planning and design stage through to exhibiting on the day. Certified timber from organisations like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) ensures responsible forest management, as it will come from renewable sources where forests are replanted regularly.
Historically, a lot of wood has been used in the exhibition trade, particularly for larger custom builds, furniture and flooring.
A more eco-friendly option is to rent a modular structure, timber flooring and the furniture you need, to reduce your environmental impact and CO2 emissions.
Modular frameworks are made using sustainable aluminium that can be recycled at the end of its lifecycle; the material is lightweight and small, so it is cheaper to transport. The aluminium used in our frameworks is sourced from Europe.
This hybrid approach can be tailored to your exhibition stand needs. Sometimes, a stand is a combination of modular and custom timber elements, incorporating rental tv/ LED video walls and rental furniture.
Additional benefits for using timber material in your event stand is that timber also sequesters carbon during its lifecycle, making it a low-carbon alternative to materials like metal or plastic. This helps reduce the overall carbon footprint of events, aligning with your company’s sustainability goals.
A common conception is that sustainable stands are more expensive. However, utilising a structure that you can reuse will save you money. A company we collaborate with attends five major events every year. If they had a new stand design every time, it would be upwards of £6,000 for the stand and then extra for the set-up.
However, by recycling and tweaking their design, they instead pay between £4,000 and £5,000 each time. We’ve been working with this company for five years. For five brand-new stands a year, their spending would have been approximately £250,000.
However, with their initial outlay of £10,000 and then spending between £4,000 – £5,000 each for the last 24 events, they’ve spent £96,000 – £125,000. This has resulted in a saving of around £125,000 over five years.
Hire your assets
The UK construction equipment rental and leasing industry has seen enormous growth over the past five years. The industry was reportedly worth £8.6bn in 2023, according to industry research provider IbisWorld[2]. New technology means it’s now easier than ever to choose and hire the right tools. This approach can be applied to your exhibition stand ahead of your next event.
Hiring elements of your stand – such as your exhibition framework, furniture, AV, video, walls, lighting and props – is usually cheaper than buying them outright. This often means you can make your money go further and hire higher-quality products – meaning your stand looks even better while being more sustainable. This also means you can switch up your look every time you exhibit.
At the UK’s largest built environment event, UK Construction Week 2024 at the NEC, Onsite On Hire, made its debut. The brand-new show demonstrated the very best tools, compact plant and equipment that could be hired via independent hire or rental outlets. Exhibitors included Speedy Hire, JCB, Hire Exchange and Makita. Onsite On Hire’s presence at the event demonstrated the importance of sustainability in the construction sector which also translates to sustainable showcasing in the events industry.
Make it modular
Modular construction is rising in popularity due to its technological advantages and sustainable solutions. Construction giants Skanska, Bouygues and Laing O’Rourke are investing in modular housing and technology due to shorter construction timelines and lower costs for materials. If your company is keen to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability through modular building development this can easily extend a modular approach into the exhibition hall
Modular exhibition stands can be reconfigured to suit any stand size, they can be customisable to your budget and designed to reflect your business objectives, audience and exhibition space. They’re typically created using a mixture of bought, hired, recycled and reused elements from previous exhibitions making them a more environmentally friendly choice.
Modular construction projects have been found to cut timelines and costs by 60-90%. If your company is striving for sustainability, showcasing a modular design at your next event will show your prospective customers that you practice what you preach.
There are several benefits for construction companies that demonstrate sustainability in all areas of their business. Not only do their efforts go towards reducing harmful environmental impacts, but, they also have a positive influence on enhancing their company’s brand reputation and credibility. If they are seen to be practising their sustainability initiatives in all areas of their marketing, clients will be more inclined to engage with their company which will help create a positive brand impact.
Creating sustainable event spaces allows construction companies to reinforce their commitment to environmental responsibility, strengthen their brand, and support the growth of a more sustainable industry.
