Jessica Glenn
Jessica Glenn is the Sustainability Manager at Freeman, where she works to raise awareness and develop best practices for sustainability that make financial sense in light of corporate responsibility goals.
Best Sustainability Practices for Custom Exhibits
June 25, 2018
Events are a fantastic way to create buzz for your organization, so when the time comes to plan, make sure your exhibit has the “wow” factor to pull everybody in.
Custom-built exhibits look impressive but can rack up the costs if you’re not mindful. Once you factor in design time, production, shipping, labor and waste, you’re dinging your budget and the environment. With some strategy and imagination, though, you can create an immersive, custom booth experience that excites attendees while still being environmentally conscious.
Challenge your team
Get your team and vendors to rise to the challenge of creating a custom feel by reusing elements from previous exhibits. Replacing trim or changing a graphic may be all that’s needed to refresh an old exhibit. This is an excellent opportunity to collaborate, as they’ll likely have a wealth of ideas for updating existing elements instead of starting over.
If you do need to implement fully-customized updates, keep your carbon footprint in mind. Why not add a dash of modern appeal to your old exhibit by replacing older materials with lightweight, recycled materials that use fewer resources?
Consider costs
It's true, added upfront costs associated with lightweight exhibits exist, but the savings realized in shipping and maintenance costs more than make up for it.
So, if your exhibits are due for an update, why not shed some weight?
Old-fashioned wood exhibits need constant maintenance between shows and are susceptible to warping. With aluminum and fabric, setup is often faster and you only need to wash it periodically to bring back the original glory.
Also, remember many shipping companies price by weight. Aluminum is lighter than wood, so transporting is less costly and better for the environment. Plus, your sleek, high-tech exhibit will win over attendees show after show.
Build sustainably
When the time comes for a new build, create the booth using sustainable materials. Think about your costs beyond just one show; your organization is no one-trick pony and neither are your exhibits!
Here are two options to consider:
- A lightweight event frame can be fitted with brand-specific fabric signage and just a few event-specific elements, giving you maximum versatility and longevity for a minimal footprint.
- Custom cut cardboard with direct-print graphics that create a seamless look – think a brick backdrop or custom-cut mountain range. This modern lightweight option is ideal for single-use booths, graphic walls or backdrops, and event structures like registration desks or entry pillars. Plus, the materials are completely recyclable!
Explore the options available so you know what to expect when it’s time to reuse, replace and recycle your old exhibit and its materials. With a green plan in place, you can move strategically toward increased sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
The future of events is sustainable. So, by thinking about the environmental and financial costs of your exhibits up front, you can lead the way with a sensational, sustainable booth that creates buzz for your brand and the environment.
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Partner Voices
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
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