How We Brought Sustainable Storytelling to Regenerate Earth
The events industry is at a crossroads right now. With UK events churning out 1.2bnkg of CO2e every year, we can’t ignore the need for sustainable practices anymore. Here’s a stat that’ll make you think twice: a typical national conference attendee produces more than 1.89 kg of waste a day, and most of that ends up in landfill.
However, as sustainability becomes more central to business strategy, events and conferences are generating serious emissions and frequently pumping out wasteful materials. The good news is, more and more consumers are becoming environmentally conscious, pivoting organisers to become genuinely interested in reducing their event impact.
Our dedication to sustainable responsibility drove how we approached our exhibition stand at ReGeneration Earth. The event brings all the regions under one roof to grow the green economy, connecting public, private and third sector leaders who are passionately working in sustainability. It was the perfect platform for us to prove that impactful exhibition stands, and sustainable practices definitely aren’t mutually exclusive.
Designing for Impact and Sustainability
Our exhibition stand for Regeneration Earth wasn’t just a display space, it was an embodiment of our values. The stand used a shell scheme structure with three 4x2m walls constructed from thin panels of sustainable cardboard, perfectly aligning with our commitment to environmental responsibility.
Working closely with Imageco, who handled both our stand, as well as several other exhibitors stands, we created a design that needed to be stride-stopping and eye-catching enough to stand out in the busy event environment.
The stand was specifically designed to fit with our ‘Sustainable Storytelling’ brand, effectively promoting our sustainability marketing services throughout the 2-day event.
The creative concept I developed in-house was built around the event’s precise measurements and designed to maximise networking engagement. The modular panel design meant the stand could be de-rigged and reused for future events, while the branded HB2B and Biskery plinths were specifically designed for ongoing use across multiple events.
Our sustainability considerations went way beyond material choices to encompass the entire design process:
- Minimised ink usage through fewer colour variations across all panel designs
- Reduced digital carbon footprint by using only one face with photography, with all other panels featuring vector-based designs to reduce digital asset procurement
- Minimal asset procurement requirements, reducing both cost and environmental impact through efficient design planning
The strategy paid off brilliantly! We had a constant stream of visitors throughout the festival, proving that sustainable design doesn’t mean compromising on visual impact or audience engagement. Using this approach demonstrated how environmentally friendly business practices can have a positive impact on commercial success.
The Imageco Partnership: Sustainable Production
Our collaboration with Imageco showed how sustainable exhibition stand construction can be achieved without compromising on quality or visual impact. Their expertise in creating environmentally conscious display solutions aligned perfectly with our sustainability goals, proving that designing sustainable exhibition stands goes beyond the choice of materials and involves adopting practices that contribute to minimal waste and energy efficiency.
They delivered our shell scheme stand seamlessly, expertly managing the installation and the de-rig, allowing us to focus on the important conversations with visitors.
The success of our stand, evidenced by high visitor engagement and meaningful networking opportunities, demonstrates that sustainable practices can enhance rather than hinder exhibition effectiveness.
A Partnership in Innovation: The Biskery Collaboration
One of the standout features of our exhibition space was our collaboration with The Biskery, who shared our values as well as our stand with their innovative approach to sustainable branded merchandise. Their custom Xanita board plinth, also built by Imageco, hosted their cutting-edge biscuit printing machine, where festival attendees could take selfies, submit photos, and have them printed directly onto edible biscuits!
This partnership showed exactly the kind of creative sustainability solutions the events industry desperately needs. The Biskery’s commitment to sustainability extended beyond their novel printing concept, they even use compostable packaging for their biscuits, showing that every aspect of the customer experience can align with environmental values.
Minimalism as a Sustainability Strategy
In line with our commitment to sustainable exhibition practices, we made several strategic decisions that prioritised environmental impact over traditional marketing approaches:
Zero Merchandise Approach: Rather than producing branded promotional items that often end up discarded, we deliberately chose not to have any physical merchandise at our stand. This decision streamlined our sustainability efforts while focusing attention on meaningful conversations rather than material handouts.
Digital-First Information Sharing: Our only printed promotional material was recycled paper business cards featuring a QR code that directed visitors to our website. This simple yet effective approach eliminated the need for brochures, flyers, and other printed materials that typically fill exhibition stands.
Technology Over Print: We used a laptop to present information and facilitate discussions, providing a more interactive and engaging experience than traditional static displays while significantly reducing our paper consumption.
Looking Forward: The Future of Sustainable Events
The Yorkshire Sustainability Festival proved that sustainable exhibition practices aren’t just environmentally responsible – they’re more engaging, authentic, and effective at building meaningful connections. If you’re ready to transform your sustainability initiatives into compelling narratives that resonate with your audience and drive real change, we’d love to help you get started.
Ready to Tell Your Sustainable Story?
Contact us today to begin crafting your sustainable storytelling strategy and discover how your environmental commitment can become your most powerful marketing asset.
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