green

Exhibitslist was recently at a large medical exhibition in Europe and were surprised to see the differences in exhibit building methods.  At the end of the show many of the exhibits were built and all that was left was a few skids, a crate and some job boxes.  What is the difference?  In Europe nearly all the exhibits are rentals!

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Materials and Methods

One of the most common materials used in the design and fabrication of a custom trade show exhibit is laminate. Carpenters understand the properties and characteristics of laminate enough to know what to expect when they work with it. Project managers know to buy a vertical post forming grade laminate when skinning round columns. Or use a normal, multi-purpose grade laminate for flat surfaces.

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Exhibitslist was on the floor of the Toronto International Auto Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre tonight.  It was good to see that many of the automotive companies have not stopped exhibiting, but it seems like they have toned down their booths a notch.  Maybe some of that bail-out money next year can go to some exhibit marketing. :p

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What is "Embodied Energy" and how can we say that by using it we are going Green?

Embodied energy is a way that we can determine how much energy is used to create a traditional trade show booth from raw materials right up to the transportation of the booth.  So by using a low amount of Embodied Energy we are saving energy and thus helping with the green factor.

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I don't to step on that other dude who writes articles on this site about the environment, but, I feel like I have to.  I have noticed for years that the exhibit floor at a trade show seems to be a terribly wasteful place.  When the truck is loaded up at the end of a show and I look across the floor, I can not believe the mess that is left.  It is almost post apocalyptic.  Unread literature, trashed exhibits, spent tape, bubble wrap and where did all those little Styrofoam chips come from?  Not withstanding the cost to the environment from shipping exhibits that sometimes weigh more than a house from place to place.  What can be done?

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In our first article we looked at the issue of eco-sensitive products in the trade show/exhibit industry.  For our next series of articles we will look at individual materials and what you should consider when discussing them with your clients and your team members.

First off we will start off with the issue of wood that is used in custom exhibits.  What makes it a green product?

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Exhibitslist was on the show floor of the North American International Auto Show 2009 at Cobo Hall in Detroit this morning during the massive dismantle.  Guess what?  Doesn't seem like the poor economy is affecting exhibit sizes at this important show!  There were some truly awesome booths.  Exhibit Works and George P. Johnson seemed to rule the show floor, however there were a number of quality installations by German exhibit houses including KLARTEXT.

One thing we did not notice was a great evidence of a tilting toward "green" exhibiting.  Maybe next year.  We talked with a lot of the installers on the floor and heard a little bit of apprehension about the upcoming months in the industry.  The circuit continues next week in Chicago when the install for the Auto Show starts at McCormick Place.

Were you at the Auto Show?  What trends did you notice?  What booth impressed you?