Show Smart

Even during the planning phase, for example, you can

• seek advice from your partner companies and service providers on relevant sustainability issues
• agree on environmental and social criteria and ensure they are taken into account in your collaboration
• compare the environmental and social aspects of various options

• Experience with sustainability issues in the events sector, verifiable references, and, if applicable, relevant certifications – including those of subcontractors
• As few participating companies as possible and clearly defined responsibilities
• Locations and warehouses near the convention center, as well as short transport routes
• A thoughtful choice of meeting format: Consider when an in-person meeting makes sense and when an online meeting is sufficient

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

Modular Stand – Flexible in Use

• Modular design, flexible application, and customizable
• Look for a long service life and reusable elements
• Consider recyclable and durable materials
• Choose systems that can be expanded, adapted, and reconfigured

Custom-Built Stands – Harnessing Potential

• Consider modular construction methods here as well – ideally in a way that allows components to be disassembled and reused later
• Pay attention to specific material properties and relevant certifications, e.g., FSC-certified wood
• Avoid composite materials whenever possible, and ensure that adhesives, paints, and varnishes come with transparent product information
• Take the reusability of modules and fixtures into account as early as the planning stage

Better the second time around: When you use the same booth or individual elements across multiple events, it also helps build brand recognition. Therefore, make sure that modules and equipment – such as counters, stage components, or shelves – can be set up and taken down easily and with as little damage as possible. For reusable elements, avoid printing dates or years on them whenever possible.

And if you don’t want to purchase everything yourself, consider rental options for your booth and equipment.

By carefully selecting your booth furnishings, you can draw your visitors’ attention to specific highlights – and avoid unnecessary purchases. When procuring items, for example, pay attention to

• Alternatives to buying new, such as rental options
• Specific environmental and social criteria in your purchasing guidelines
• Material properties, production conditions, and relevant certifications
• Energy consumption, service life, and life-cycle costs

For example:

• Plan the shortest possible transport routes
• Consolidate trips and utilize available loading capacity, e.g., through consolidated shipments for partial loads
• Consider fuel or energy consumption when selecting vehicles
• Use reusable packaging and transport crates

• When planning, take into account the power consumption of the equipment you intend to use.
• Consider which screens you actually need – for example, one larger, well-placed screen instead of two smaller ones.
• Turn off lighting and media equipment when they’re not needed.

• For each promotional item, carefully consider whether a print version is necessary.
• For printed materials, for example, make sure to use certified recycled paper and ensure transparent information about inks and coatings.
• Whenever possible, use undated promotional materials that can be used over time.
• Make information available digitally at your booth where it makes sense, for example via QR codes.
• When it comes to giveaways, ask yourself: What benefit do they offer to the recipients?
• Avoid disposable items, unnecessary packaging, and perishable consumables.
• Research the materials, origin, and production conditions of the products you use.
• Plan quantities based on actual needs to avoid large amounts of leftover stock.

Digital works, too: For our events, we provide digital exhibitor badges that you can distribute to your employees via email. We also offer digital voucher codes for your invitation management.

• Floor coverings
• Signage
• Decorations

And if you do end up choosing fabric by the meter or a sign that isn’t quite as neutral: When making your selection, look for reusable, recycled, or recyclable materials, and plan for disposal right from the start.

You might even find a grateful recipient for cut flowers and plants after the trade show. You can book appropriate disposal services directly through our OOS.

There are several options for your trip:

• Within Germany via Deutsche Bahn, for example with the Event Ticket, which is available for most of our trade shows
• From the airport or within Düsseldorf via public transit: The convention center is well connected with two subway stations and several bus stops
• Via organized carpools
• by electric car: You’ll find charging stations all around the fairgrounds

And if you choose accommodations with good public transportation access, you’ll start your day at the fair feeling relaxed.

Schedule sufficient breaks, observe the applicable maximum working hours, and ensure fair working conditions and appropriate compensation.

It’s also worth taking a close look at work and team uniforms: When selecting them, consider the materials, production conditions, and relevant certifications.

• Offer regional and seasonal dishes as well as vegetarian and vegan options.
• Look for recognized certifications on relevant products, such as organic or Fair Trade labels.
• Use reusable tableware and bottles instead of single-use items – it looks better, too!
• Avoid small individual packages whenever possible, such as for milk and sugar.
• Order according to your needs and plan ways to share food that’s still edible.

Enjoy your meal!

• Sort your waste by type as much as possible – for example, separating paper and cardboard, plastic film, and carpet scraps. This facilitates further recycling and avoids costs associated with the subsequent separation of mixed waste.
• Use our marked recycling stations for separate waste collection on the exhibition grounds.
• Additional collection and disposal services are available for production waste, hazardous waste, and other requirements.
• If needed, take advantage of our customized disposal service.

When it comes to carpeting, you can plan for its return right from the start: In our OOS, you can order Cradle to Cradle-certified trade show carpeting and book its return directly after the event.

Please register the disposal of your waste through the OOS.

Not everything can be planned perfectly the first time around. So take a close look during dismantling and apply what you’ve learned right away to your next trade show appearance:

• Prepare reusable booth components and furnishings for transport and future use.
• Sort leftover materials and use the designated disposal channels.
• Check to see if you can find a new buyer for items and materials that are still usable.
• Pass on any food and goods that are still usable, if possible.

Donating Food and Goods

Messe Düsseldorf partners with Tafel Düsseldorf e. V.
Subject to sufficient capacity for pickup and storage, their volunteers will collect suitable leftover food and other goods from your booth after the trade show and distribute them to people affected by poverty in Düsseldorf and the surrounding area.

[Here] you will find a list of goods and food items that Tafel Düsseldorf e. V. can accept. For hygiene reasons, it is not possible to donate leftovers from open-style catering.

We coordinate the logistics with Tafel Düsseldorf e. V. All you need to do is register the goods with Tafel Düsseldorf e. V.:

Contact:
Tafel Düsseldorf e. V.
Ms Bruns, Ms Schütze
Tel.: +49 211 4360103
info@tafel-duesseldorf.de
opening hours: Monday – Friday, 8.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.

Document your experiences and relevant metrics, and use them to plan your next trade show appearance.

And when you communicate about this, be specific. Report on the measures you’ve implemented and verifiable results – and make it clear what your figures refer to.