For a more sustainable trade fair presence

Keep your eyes open when choosing partners

Partner companies & services

Sustainability is a team effort. When everyone has the same goal in mind, unexpected opportunities arise – not least through synergy effects. What you should look out for when selecting your partner companies:

• Experience in sustainable trade fair management: evidenced by references and, where applicable, certificates (including those of subcontractors)
• Less is more: this applies to tenders and the number of companies involved too
• Short supply chains: it’s better to rely on local service providers with on-site warehouses – this reduces transport emissions
• Digital first, then face-to-face: Online meetings in the run-up to the event save on unnecessary travel and its environmental impact

Still looking? Our Service Alliance will be happy to advise you!

Built for the future

Stand construction

System stand or bespoke construction? Provided certain points are taken into account, both can be implemented in an environmentally friendly manner.

System stand – sustainable by design

• modular, versatile and customisable
• long service life and reusable elements
• predominantly recyclable and durable materials
• can be expanded and redesigned time and again

Bespoke stand – Make the most of the potential

• A modular construction approach can also be implemented here – ideally without filling, wallpaper or paint
• Look for environmental certifications – e.g. FSC for wood from sustainably managed forests – and ensure the use of recyclable materials
• Avoid composite materials and use environmentally friendly adhesives, paints and varnishes
• Bonus points for the reusability of individual modules and fittings

It’s always good to see you again: If you use the same stand for many years, this not only benefits the environment but also your customers. After all, they’ll recognise your brand from a distance. That’s why you should ensure that modules and fittings such as counters, stage elements or shelves can be assembled and dismantled easily and without damage. Also, avoid printing dates or years on them. And if you want to minimise your carbon footprint even further, the best advice is: rent rather than buy!

Heading towards the future

Transport & Logistics

Admittedly: The transport of materials, equipment and stand components cannot be avoided. But the journey from A to B can be shortened!

For example:

• through optimised route management
• with optimal vehicle utilisation – such as partial loads in a consolidated shipment

Further eco-logical! Measures:

• Vehicles that are fuel-efficient and driven in a way that conserves resources
• The use of reusable packaging materials and transport crates

Eco-mode on!

Technology

Of course, you don’t want to leave visitors to your exhibition stand in the dark and you’ll want to create the odd highlight. You should certainly do that – but more efficiently.

• When planning, bear in mind the power consumption of the equipment you intend to use.
• Avoid unnecessary screens – for example, opt for one larger, well-placed screen rather than two smaller ones.
• Pay attention to the energy efficiency of your lighting and media technology.

Messages that stick

Promotional material & giveaways

When promoting your business, you want one thing above all else: to make an impression. But you can achieve this even with simple means:

• For every promotional item, make a conscious decision for or against a printed version.
• For printed versions, ensure you use certified recycled paper and environmentally friendly, plant-based inks.
• Where possible, use undated, timeless promotional materials.
• At your stand, provide information digitally via QR codes wherever possible.
• Always ask yourself what added value giveaways offer.
• Avoid disposable items, unnecessary packaging and perishable consumables.
• Find out about the products’ carbon footprint and production conditions.
• Avoid large quantities of leftover stock.

Sustainable access passes: As a special service, we offer digital exhibitor passes for all events, which you can distribute to your staff via email and use paperlessly! We also provide digital voucher codes to help with your invitation management.

Too beautiful to throw away

Equipment & Decoration

Look out for reusability and other potential uses at

• Floor coverings
• Signage
• Decoration

And if you really do need to use fabric by the metre, that sign which isn’t quite so neutral, or that cut-flower arrangement: Look out for circular, recyclable or recycled materials, and book recycling as part of the waste disposal service directly via OOS .

Have a safe journey!

Transport & accommodation

All roads lead to Düsseldorf – and from there straight to the exhibition centre: usually within 15 minutes by public transport. Other low-emission ways to reach us:

• within Germany – by Deutsche Bahn: for example, with the event ticket, which is available at a fixed price for all Düsseldorf trade fairs
• from the airport or within Düsseldorf – by public transport: the exhibition centre is well connected with two underground stations and several bus stops
• via organised car-sharing schemes
• by electric car – thanks to charging points, all around the exhibition grounds

And to ensure you’re well-rested as you embark on your trade fair adventure, it’s best to book sustainable accommodation with good transport links to the exhibition grounds well in advance.

Fair play

Staff

Act responsibly – including towards your stand staff.

They particularly appreciate good working conditions, pay and break times.

For Foodies

Catering

This way, the food served at your stand is not only a treat for your guests but also good for the environment:

• Above all, offer regional, seasonal, vegetarian or vegan dishes – this way, your menu will help reduce your environmental footprint.
• Choose fair trade products.
• Avoid single-use plastic. Instead, use reusable crockery and bottles – it looks better too!
• Avoid small individual packs, e.g. of milk and sugar.
• Order only as much as is needed – to avoid food waste.

Enjoy your meal!

Sorting isn’t hard

Disposal

Avoid, reduce, recycle – these are our guiding principles when it comes to the waste generated at the end of a trade fair day. Here’s how we can manage it effectively:

• Please sort your waste by type – for example, separating paper and cardboard, plastic film, carpet scraps, etc.! This increases the recycling rate and saves money on the costly process of separating mixed waste.
• Please make use of our clearly marked recycling points for separate waste collection throughout the site.
• Please also take note of the services offered by our waste management team, such as collection points for hazardous waste and the bespoke waste disposal service.

You can register your waste disposal via the OOS!

Let’s get down to brass tacks

Evaluation & communication

What was the environmental footprint of your trade fair participation?

Even if you were satisfied, there is certainly room for improvement for next time. And be sure to communicate what you did well and what If you want to do even better in future – for example, in your dealings with your stakeholders.

Alles auf Null

Offsetting

Despite all efforts, residual emissions remain that cannot be avoided. But you can offset them:

through high-quality offsetting projects designed to minimise greenhouse gas emissions. Guidance on criteria for selecting reputable offset projects can be found on the website of the Federal Environment Agency ( ) at.