Are Local Suppliers Better for Sustainable Exhibiting?

Local sourcing can be better for sustainable exhibiting; however, it should be paired with reputable sustainability credentials.

Local sourcing typically means fewer carbon emissions when visiting the contractor’s showroom, which is certainly a positive for businesses and environmentally friendly logistics. However, this alone does not make exhibiting sustainable, and it is an oversimplification of the process. Why?

Your business and exhibition stand contractor could both be based in Glasgow, but your shows might be in Birmingham, London and Southampton. As you can see, in this case, it doesn’t matter if your contractor is local to you, as the shows are dotted around the UK.

Additionally, emissions alone do not qualify an exhibition stand contractor as sustainable. Sustainability refers to the materials used, whether the stand is reusable, and the types of logistics involved.

While businesses could use a contractor local to each individual show, this would mean using a non-reusable stand, and so, would not be a sustainable option. Not to mention, you would lose brand consistency across each event.

When considering sustainability, it is better to take a well-rounded approach. Look for reputable sustainability credentials, modular, reusable exhibition stand solutions and businesses that transport to each venue in LGVs, as these come with fewer emissions.