5 Ways Go Green at Work and Your Next Tradeshow In 2016!

January 17, 2016

Shane Shirley

Shane Shirley is CMO for SBS Brands, a 90-year-old global brand leader focused on creating digital and print business solutions that offers traditional and eco-friendly customized promotional products to accelerate trade show marketing.

Making the workplace or tradeshow floor greener is a common goal, and it’s a good goal. Green changes help the planet and can even make the workflow or tradeshows more efficient and even more enjoyable. The New Year is always a time for evaluating the past and looking towards the future, so I decided to put together a list of 5 ways you can make your workplace or tradeshow greener in the New Year.

5 New Year’s Resolutions for A Greener Work Day or Tradeshow

1.   Ready, Set, Recycle! - Start a recycling initiative at the office or at your next tradeshow. Get bins and place them where people are most likely to need them. Containers to collect plastic, glass and metal are popular in workplace kitchens, while paper bins should be distributed near printers and existing garbage cans. Make sure the recycling bins are clearly labeled, so everyone knows what goes where. You can even offer sponsorships for recycling bins at tradeshows.

2,  Get a Break … a Tax Break That Is - Do a quick search of “tax breaks for business going green in 2016,” and you will find a myriad of ideas on how to get a break on your business tax bill by working greener. Help the planet and your bottom line all at once.

3.   Hey Buddy, Can I Grab A Ride? - Carpooling is a great way to not only get to work greener, it also is a great way to save money. The fewer vehicles on the road means less carbon emissions, and even less wear and tear on your vehicle if you share driving responsibilities. As an added plus, many cities and states offer carpool lanes if you have multiple people in your vehicle, so you will be able to bypass a lot of traffic.

4.   Market Greener at Tradeshows! - I would be remiss if we did not mention creating a custom reusable bag in 2016 to use for your marketing efforts at tradeshows. Reusable bags come in so many different shapes and sizes, and you have the ability to completely customize your branded bag for something that is eye-catching and will get people into your booth. Reusable bags normally deliver several years of use, so this year’s marketing expense will be paying dividends many years from now.

5.   It’s a Team Effort - Get your coworkers involved in coming up with ideas on how you can join together to work greener in 2016. When you seek suggestions from the group you will get more diverse ideas, and it’s very likely there will be some suggestions you may never have thought about for your next tradeshow. Another perk of seeking counsel from the team is that the group will be more apt to get behind their team member’s ideas and embrace the change.

These changes are simple, so they’re easy to put into place. Even if you just pick one of two items from this list that will have a positive impact. Have you implemented any of these green changes into your workplace? Do you have suggestions for other green changes you can put into place where you work? Hit TSNN up in the comments or on Twitter @TSNN_com_US!

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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