Sustainable Tradeshow Exhibit Design at Condit

Best Practices For Sustainable Exhibit Design and Manufacturing

Condit Exhibits is proud to adhere to sustainable practices in exhibit design and fabrication, in material recycling and disposal, and in our very own facilities. For over 20 years, Condit has innovated environmentally friendly tradeshow and event solutions solutions for clients, for partners, and for ourselves!

 

The Need To Combat Tradeshow Industry Waste

Unfortunately, the modern tradeshow industry is notoriously wasteful before, during, and after events. Trash at conferences, expos, and other events is generated in bulk, including sampling items, packaging, promotional and marketing materials. Single-use exhibit components, like carpeting and vinyl flooring, also contribute to commercial waste. Hazardous materials, such as alkaline batteries and fluorescent light bulbs, pose additional risks and require appropriate disposal.

Sustainable tradeshow exhibit design focuses on minimizing environmental impact while creating engaging and functional brand displays. And by integrating sustainability into every stage of design, from planning to execution, exhibitors can reduce waste, promote environmental responsibility, and align with growing consumer demand for eco-conscious practices.

 

How to Incorporate Sustainability into Exhibit Design and Fabrication

Our sustainability program was one of the first “green” exhibit design and booth construction programs in the American conference and events industry. Started in 2003, we offer our clients the option of making their exhibits “greener” – more environmentally friendly and reflective of their own efforts toward sustainability.

 

1) Understand Your Level of Sustainability

Whatever the techniques or materials, our primary strategy is to have each client gets to choose which percentage of their exhibit will be green and sustainable, based on their particular goals, vision, and budget. This a-la-carte approach has proven very successful to both start our clients on a sustainable exhibit design journey and to iterate more and more environmentally conscious exhibit options across our entire exhibit design portfolio. We are proud to say that we have built a substantial number of award-winning “green” exhibits over two decades and that they have been very well received by our customers in many industries and their target audiences at tradeshows and events across the globe!

 

2) Use Sustainable Tradeshow Booth Materials

One of the ways we integrate sustainability is by providing a menu of green materials, technologies, and practices to choose from in the construction of an exhibit. These materials help reduce waste and environmental impact, while still providing high-quality, durable exhibit components.

 

Beetle Kill Pine

Using locally-sourced beetle kill pine is a great way to integrate real wood into your exhibit without the cost of cutting healthy trees. Beetle kill pine is harvested from dead wood caused from an invasive species of beetle. The effect of the disease on the wood makes for beautiful and desirable blue striping throughout the grain.

 

Interface Carpeting

This modular carpeting company takes a holistic approach to their product processing and carpet reusability. Interface products tout recycled materials, safe preservatives, and durability for a long product life.

 

Kirei Surfaces

Kirei offers multiple, all-natural product lines, including bamboo paneling, tiles made from recycled coconut shells, and a variety of wall surfaces made from reclaimed sorghum straw.

 

FilzFelt Sound Barriers

Sustainably sourced, 100% wool-felt designed for wall coverings and sound absorption can be outfitted within your conference room or other private meeting space.

 

Forbo Flooring & Walls

These eco-friendly flooring and wall covering solutions are backed by LEED and other health and environment certifications.

 

Plyboo Panels & Floors

Wall panels, veneers, and flooring products made from FSC® Certified 100% pure bamboo and soy-based formaldehyde-free binders are another promising product for your sustainable exhibit.

 

Source One Walls

The Source One wall coverings are 100% biodegradable and made from harvested, renewable sources.

 

LED Lighting

LED has become the new light technology norm, which applies to exhibit lighting as well. Although we can’t control show hall lighting, you can certainly choose LED for all your in-booth lighting fixtures. All of our lighting vendor partners offer excellent LED solutions.

 

 

Low VOC Ink

We can always find crafty ways to reuse or re-skin components of your custom exhibit rental or custom purchased booth for years to come! Whether you rebrand, launch new products, or just want to change up your exhibit messaging show to show, our graphics are easy to transfer and made with low VOC (volatile organic compounds).

 

Plywood, Packaging, Aluminum

Some of our sustainability efforts are more unseen, “under-sole” type materials, like plywood made from sustainably harvested trees and old-fashioned materials like aluminum and steel, which, though commonplace, are among the most widely recycled products in the world. Our packaging products are purchased with environmental impact in mind and strategically utilized.

 

Lightweight Materials

We offer creative suggestions on how to reduce the weight of exhibits, thereby cutting down on the “fossil-fuel footprint” required to transport them to the venue. For example, fabric, like that found in many portable modular exhibit kits, packs down more easily and into fewer shipping containers.

 

Rental Exhibits

Another option for greater sustainability in material use is our expansive rental exhibit inventory. Our rental exhibit components offer limitless customization for any brand or event and are designed to be repurposed and reconfigured for tradeshow space requirements as needed as needed.

 

Sustainable Partners

Our sustainable vendors focus on eco-friendly practices, using renewable resources and reducing waste. Partnering with them helps our business (and yours!) lower environmental impact, enhance brand reputation, and support a greener supply chain. For example, take a look at Brumark’s new sustainability policy and Taylor Corporation’s commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

 

How To Ensure Sustainability in Material Disposal

We don’t just stop at exhibit design and fabrication! When it comes time for a new booth or other fresh exhibit properties, Condit has developed a disposal and recycling protocol with eco-friendliness top of mind.

 

1) Recycling and Reusing Typical Exhibit Materials

Sustainable material disposal is all about cutting down on waste by recycling, composting, or finding new uses for materials after they’re done. It means sorting things properly and getting rid of non-recyclable materials in a way that’s better for the environment. By doing this, companies can lower their impact at events and help create a more eco-friendly lifecycle for finished goods and components.

Some of our existing programs include:

• Metal recycling
• Battery recycling
• Electronics recycling
• Crate, pallet, and other wood material recycling
• Office furniture recycling through local reseller partners
• Furniture, cabinets, lighting, and other finished goods recycling through Habitat for Humanity
• Carpet, vinyl, turf flooring, and padding recycling
• Professional disposals of all verified waste with load compaction

 

2) Recycling Acrylic Material

In 2021, we also began participating in a program that allows us to recycle old acrylic materials, Sintra panels, and PVC sheet goods. In partnership with Vycom Plastics, we repurpose the materials into new products such as engineered wood decking.

A great deal of our rental wall panel system and signage graphics utilize PVC/acrylic infills. They are either direct-UV printed and/or have Velcro and adhesive printed vinyl laminate applied, which makes them very difficult to recycle. Vycom’s innovative process allows us to recycle all panels without peeling old graphics, Velcro, etc. prior to disposal. In addition to greater recycling efficiency, this also allows for a larger percentage of acrylics, Sintra and PVC to be recycled.

 

Our team has undergone training to better understand the recycling pipeline for Sintra and PVC. We have also placed a number of custom recycling bins on our manufacturing floors and warehouses to accommodate these specialized materials. In the first six months of this program, Condit contributed 25 gaylord containers and approximately 15,000 pounds of PVC that was not only saved from the landfills but also repurposed into long-lasting and recyclable consumer construction materials. 

 

3) Repurposing Shipping Crates

Another simple recycling tactic we’ve instituted is reusing your custom shipping crates. Why put these durable containers to waste even if your exhibit property changes? We retrofit the interior of all our crates to match your changing exhibit specifications as needed.

 

Sustainability in Our Manufacturing Facilities

We practice what we preach, and like so many of our clients and partners, we are consistently investing in sustainable options for our own backyard!

Some of our current facility features include:

• Reusable drinkware and cookware for employees and visitors
• Water bottle refill stations
• Water consumption reminders on all faucets
• Office recycling stations (paper/cardboard, plastic, aluminum)
• Tree-planting program (to offset printer paper usage)
• Digital alternatives to printing (tablets, projectors)
• Rooftop solar panels
• Electric vehicle charging stations
• Community garden and composting
• Backyard wildlife refuge
• On-site apiary through Homestead in the Hood
• Office chicken coop
• Chemical filtration and emissions reduction protocol in graphic printing/production

Go Green With Your Tradeshow Exhibit

Embracing sustainability in your tradeshow and exhibit presence means taking small steps that add up, from cutting down on waste to using resources more wisely. It’s about finding creative solutions that benefit both the environment and your business. In the long run, sustainable choices lead to a healthier planet and a stronger, more responsible way of doing things!

Ready to make a positive, sustainable impact at your next tradeshow or event? Our design experts are here to help you go green without losing out on quality craftsmanship or visual appeal. To learn more about Condit’s sustainable business practices and how we can make sustainability achievable and accessible for your brand, get in touch or start your own green exhibit project.

 

 

Sustainable Exhibit Design Project Examples

Among Condit’s exhibit designs, you’ll find creative, engaging, eco-friendly displays that illustrate how you can make a big impact on the showfloor, not on the environment. From recycled materials to reusable components, these designs prove that going green with your exhibit doesn’t mean compromising on style or functionality.