Jason Tunick
Founder and CEO of FactoryDirectPromos.com which is one of the largest, factory direct suppliers of eco-friendly, promotional items and custom, reusable tradeshow bags in the world.
5 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Tradeshows
July 13, 2013
Tradeshows are a great way to reconnect with your existing clients, while also reaching out to new customers. We all know that these events take a lot of planning and organization, but your hard work really pays off when you build your brand and expand your customer base. Tradeshows also can take a toll on the environment, though, as they are responsible for generating tons of waste. In fact, according to data from Smash Hit Displays, the tradeshow industry is second only to the construction industry in the amount of waste we create. So what can we do?
Here are five easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint at tradeshows and give the environment a break.
1. Offer or Take Advantage of Carbon Offsets- Try to reduce your carbon footprint wherever possible and purchase offsets to counteract any instances in which you cannot avoid using fossil fuels. If you are hosting a tradeshow think about partnering with an organization that offers offsets and offer a Carbon Offset Sponsorship.
2. Hand Out Recycled, Reusable Bags- You want to make a positive impression on the folks who visit a tradeshow, and giving them a takeaway item is a great way to do this. A bag is especially handy at a tradeshow since people accumulate a lot of business cards, catalogs, samples, giveaways and more. Giving people a way to carry their loot will certainly make a good first impression, but utilizing recycled materials will also showcase your company’s green efforts while minimizing your, and your recipients, carbon footprint.
3. Offer USB Drives Loaded with Promotional Materials- You want to pass along info, but you don’t want to use a lot of paper and you also want to be considerate to the people attending the show (they‘re being bombarded with paper handouts and hulking catalogs that they need to carry around). Instead of handing out brochures, flyers and other promotional materials printed on paper, load all of your documents onto USB drives and hand those out. These lightweight drives will save paper and your customers can reuse them after they’ve read through your promotional info.
4. Make It Easy for Attendees and Exhibitors to Recycle– All too often recyclable materials end up in garbage cans and they are toted off to landfills. Make sure you put out (and clearly label!) bins for bottles and cans, paper and trash. If you are hosting the tradeshow you can offer this as another sponsorship and give companies the chance to market their brand while ensuring that rubbish is sorted and handled properly.
5. Use Green Materials When Building Displays- You want to make sure your displays are eye-catching and dazzling while also being up to code and eco-friendly. Stick to paper that is FSC certified, use recycled textiles if possible, and use items that are durable and can be used again, but can be recycled when they start to show signs of wear.
With careful planning you can attend, or put on a successful and informative tradeshow while also doing your part to minimize your carbon footprint and help the environment. These are five tips to start with, but what other ways do you use to reduce your carbon footprint, while putting on a stellar show?
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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