5 Ways to Cut Waste at Your Next Event

March 13, 2018

If you're going to exhibit at a trade show, then you need to bring your A game. More importantly, you need to ensure that you spend as little as you can while still making the biggest possible impression on those you meet. So, while it's a good idea to bring some extra business cards and that pop-up display that catches the eye of every passerby, here are some things you should avoid doing in order to cut down on the amount of wasted material, time and effort at your next event.

1. Useful Promotional Giveaways

If you're going to offer a promotional product, it's important to make sure it's memorable, useful, and that people are going to have it in front of their faces on the regular. So, while a pen or a pad of paper is perfectly functional, neither of those stand out. If you want people to remember you, offer them something quality. A USB thumb drive with your company logo on it, for example. A t-shirt with a cool design. Maybe a shoulder bag for a laptop. Whatever you use, though, make sure it's sleek, memorable and most of all, that people who take one are going to want to keep it.

2. Shipping Costs

If you do a lot of events in a year, chances are you have a pretty good setup for your booth. Chances are even better that you have all that stuff shipped to the event, rather than trucking it there yourself. However, if you're shipping your wares to an event, and then paying to have it shipped back to the office afterward, you may be flushing money down the toilet. Instead, have your event materials shipped to your next event. This will require a little extra legwork, and making sure you're regularly attending shows and conventions, but it's overall worth the effort in how much you save.

3. Reuse Your Trade Show Graphics

You know that graphic you had hanging up in your booth? The one you paid a lot of money for and that always gets people to slow down to look at what you've got to offer? When the show is over, make sure you roll it back up and have it ready for the next event. Graphics tend to age pretty well and as long as it isn't faded, torn or otherwise damaged, you can use the same graphics for years, which saves a lot of money.

4. Rent Instead of Buying

If you go to a big show or convention, you'll see companies that pulled out all the stops. They have hanging displays all the way up to the ceiling, lights, flooring, the whole nine yards. If you're wondering how to compete with that without breaking the bank, the simple answer is to rent it. You won't need such a big, flashy booth for every event, so rent it for the big events and save yourself a lot of cash in the long run.

5. Do-It-Yourself

Perhaps the best way to save money and reduce waste on your next event is to bite the bullet and do it yourself. Whether it's designing the booth layout, choosing the colors for your tablecloths or just arranging the graphics; the more of it you can do in-house, the cheaper it's going to be. So before you buy a banner stand or a new display case, ask if you could make one yourself and how much it would cost to do so.

​​​​​​

Don't miss any event news! Sign up for any (or all) of our e-newsletters HERE & engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn & Instagram!

​​​​​​

Add new comment

About text formats
Partner Voices
Partner Voices
NO WISH IS TOO BIG AT THE ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact
Learn More